English 
A World Cup Evening on International Drive
International Drive
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved coming to International Drive.
I shared that thought with our videographer Ryan as we walked through ICON Park, making our way toward Pointe Orlando.
Of course, the colorful neon lights beaming from the countless souvenir shops and the blended aromas of cuisines from all over the world had my attention back then, but what I was always drawn to most were the people.
There was something about seeing the world gather in one place that fascinated me. Different languages. Different cultures. Different ways of dressing, speaking, laughing. Yet all of them were experiencing the same city. Even as a kid, I found myself discovering people as they discovered the places around them.
I remembered that little kid, and I smiled as Ryan and I turned toward Pointe Orlando.
We had come to cover a World Cup watch party.
I didn’t realize we were about to witness one of the most vivid reminders of what makes Orlando unlike anywhere else in the country.
After making our way through the first floor, we stepped onto the escalator leading to the second-level plaza. As we reached the top, the space opened up before us.
Immediately I saw the giant screen above the stage.
The host was talking to the gathering crowd, informing them that when it began playing on television, the crowd would sing the national anthem.
Someone in a frock coat and tye wig, looking like they had just come from the Constitutional Convention in 1776 stood next to someone wearing a Statue of Liberty crown with stars and stripes painted across their face. People in Pulisic and Freeman jerseys moved through the crowd, which quickly grew so thick that wherever you were standing was where you were going to be.
The Anthem
The festive crowd became solemn and turned toward the giant screen as the national anthem began. Some removed their hats. Others placed a hand over their hearts. And, when the lyric, “Gave proof through the night,” was sung, voices from throughout the plaza shouted, “KNIGHT!” in deference to the UCF Knights, a reminder that plenty of locals were singing too.”
I stood toward the back of the crowd, close enough to see both the giant screen and the people gathered beneath it. As the anthem played, a giant American flag rippled above the crowd while its bearer waved it from side to side. Beside him, another supporter softly kept time on a solitary snare drum.
As the crowd sang in unison, I found myself looking around.
I saw a Mexican jersey. A Colombian jersey. Faces and families from all over the world, many of whom now call Orlando home.
That image—that international tapestry with the American flag billowing in the wind high above it—is the one that has stayed with me.
When the final notes faded, the plaza erupted into chants of “USA! USA! USA!”
One person immediately caught my attention.
She stood out in a red, white, and blue top hat, chaperoning a multiracial group of teenagers who had made the trip from Tampa.
“So, where are you from?” I asked.
“Tampa.”
“You’re from Tampa? You drove all the way up for this?”
“What made you do that?”
“Just to be in this environment…it’s just a good time.”
“So, what do you think about the environment?”
“It’s awesome! It’s so awesome to see so many people out here just reppin’ USA.”
Everywhere I looked was proof of that sentiment. Pointe Orlando had become the World Cup gathering place, not just for Orlando, but for those visiting from around the world.
Kickoff
The chants faded into silence at kickoff. Everyone was glued to the screen.
That silence exploded into celebration when the U.S. scored its first goal, only to settle back into disappointment moments later when it was ruled offside.
The next goal counted.
The plaza erupted. Afterwards, the mood relaxed. Fans sang and chanted as it began to feel like the United States was getting a handle on the match, carrying a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Halftime
The DJ dropped “Apache” by the Sugarhill Gang, and the crowd responded with, “Orlando, jump on it! Jump on it! Jump on it!” The plaza became a festival. Kids ran around carrying slices of pizza. Neighbors mingled. People posed for pictures. The aromas from the surrounding restaurants filled the air.
I walked around taking it all in, and that’s when I found Ben.
Standing near the stage, shirtless in red, white, and blue overall shorts, he told me he had come to Orlando from Boston to attend UCF and never left.
“What kept you here?” I asked.
“The weather! It’s sunny all the time.”
“What do you think about the match?”
“We got it, baby! Yes sir!” he shouted.
It was a feeling shared by much of the crowd as halftime came to an end.
The second half would test it.
The Final Whistle
As the teams returned to the field, the music faded, conversations ended, and every eye in the plaza turned back toward the giant screen.
The second half carried a different kind of tension. The U.S. was up 1-0, but Bosnia and Herzegovina kept pressing.
Then Folarin Balogun was shown a red card.
You could feel the concern move through the crowd. The U.S. would have to finish the match a man down.
And then came the second goal.
The crowd roared to life as hundreds of clenched fists rose into the air in synchronous solidarity and celebration.
Women leaned over the banisters, joining in as the crowd sang the bass line to “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes.
There were four minutes to go, and everyone sensed the United States was moments away from clinching a berth in the Round of 16.
Then, it was so.
The elated crowd burst into celebration as the U.S. marched on to victory. The DJ played Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” as strangers walked through the crowd hugging, high-fiving, and singing with one another.
To my own surprise, I found myself singing along when Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” came on next. Then I heard the drumming again.
The drummer led the way, a tiny red, white, and blue top hat perched atop his yarmulke. Behind him marched the young man in the tricorne hat, carrying the giant American flag.
Ryan and I made our way back onto a lively International Drive.
That’s when I realized something.
As a kid, I thought I was falling in love with International Drive.
What I was really falling in love with was the world it brought together.
For that night, America showed not what it could be, but what it actually is: a young nation of nations, guided by hope and opportunity.
For that night, America belonged to us all.
And Orlando was its host.
The Celebration Continues
The Orlando Soccer Celebration continues at Pointe Orlando through the FIFA World Cup Final. Fans can watch every remaining match at Sports & Social, with food, drinks, entertainment, and fan experiences still happening throughout the tournament.
View the full schedule and RSVP at orlandocitysc.com/soccercelebration.
Mike Synan
News | Sports | Politics
- After two decades in news and politics, Mike Synan is returning to his roots to write Sports as “The Sportsaholic”. Mike hosted a talk show for 6 years on WDBO after Magic home games called “Magic Til Midnight”, and spent years working as an in-game correspondent for both ESPN and Fox Sports Radio. His column “Synan Says” has appeared on both www.wdbo.com and www.floridadaily.com. He has a BS in Political Science from Clemson University. You can reach him at msynan@sportsmail.com
