For RI soccer fans, passion runs deep during World Cup

PROVIDENCE — The waitstaff squeezed through narrow aisles and bartenders rushed to fill final drink orders Friday afternoon at Murphy’s.

The downtown staple was jammed to capacity for the 2 p.m. World Cup kickoff between the United States and England. There was a buzz in the air that had nothing to do with Black Friday, the first official day of holiday shopping, and it was quite welcome.

This is now the official gathering place of the state’s Liverpool Football Club chapter, the six-time Champions League winners owned by Fenway Sports Group and principal John Henry. Scarves and other mementos dot the walls and help set a sort of dual tone — a proper Irish gastropub, yes, but one that offers a healthy portion of sports on the side. It was the ideal setting for a 0-0 draw played out by the two perceived leading contenders in Group B.

More:World Cup recap: USMNT and England dueled to a scoreless tie, each earning 1 point

Fans get ready to watch Saturday's U.S. vs. England World Cup game at Murphy's bar in Providence on Saturday.
Fans get ready to watch Saturday's U.S. vs. England World Cup game at Murphy's bar in Providence on Saturday.

“It’s the world’s game,” said Kristina Lembesis, who lives and works in the city. “It doesn’t matter where you are in the world. You could be here in the States, in England, in the middle of Africa — everybody will be watching.”

Lembesis is a California native who also held a particular interest in one of the day’s earlier matches. Her parents trace their roots to the Netherlands. The Dutch battled to a 1-1 draw with Ecuador and are still favorites to qualify for the knockout stages in Group A. Much like the Olympics or other sporting events on a similar level, nationalism is enough to spark legitimate passion at any given time.

“Anything with that national appeal — the Olympics, World Cup — I get drawn to,” said Chris Madoian, a North Kingstown resident. “It was well worth coming out to watch.”

This sort of crowd is now the norm with COVID-19 concerns largely in the rearview mirror. Providence College men’s basketball games or Providence Bruins hockey games bring a similar packed house, which pumps capital into the local economy. An expected return to the city of March Madness in 2025 will do much the same.

“Any good Irish pub really breaks down financial, social and ethnic boundaries in a way that makes none of that matter,” said Louis Ferrazzano, the bar’s general manager. “Let’s talk.”

U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman, left, dribbles the ball while England forward Harry Kane gives chase during the second half of their group stage match of the 2022 World Cup on Saturday in Qatar.
U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman, left, dribbles the ball while England forward Harry Kane gives chase during the second half of their group stage match of the 2022 World Cup on Saturday in Qatar.

Murphy’s began leaning into the soccer fandom establishment over the last two years and hopes to continue that pivot into the future. It started largely with LFC RI, which was in search of a new home after its former home base near Thayer Street closed its doors. Ferrazzano partnered with 10 or so hardcore members and began growing what is now a budding partnership between the two sides.

“They needed a place,” Ferrazzano said. “They were passionate. I said, ‘We can do something.’

“Their success is our success. I would love people who are passionate about this and good people to come and watch a game here.”

Ferrazzano helps operate Murphy’s alongside his mother, Ruth, who’s worked there since 1979 and took ownership in the 1990s. Among the dozens of customers she greeted at the host's stand on Friday were a group of Brown University students from India looking for a place to cheer for England. Another party toward the back of the dining room was a family from Italy — that country missed the World Cup field in 2022, but passion for the game runs deep among the four-time champions.

“It was his love,” Ferrazzano said of her son, who was a standout player in high school. “I stood and screamed — well, I used to pace.”

Not much more than remedial knowledge is required in circumstances like these. Gasps emanated from the crowd in the first half when Walker Zimmerman blocked a close-range shot from Harry Kane, Weston McKennie blazed a half-volley over the cage and Christian Pulisic smashed a left-footed strike off the crossbar. Jersey color and whose side you're on was more important than identifying the players themselves or tactics employed by either manager.

“You can be a club fan,” Louis Ferrazzano said. “You can be an everyday fan. You can watch it once every four years. And you’ll still be comfortable in the middle.”

This was a good result for the Americans. England outclassed Iran in its opener, 6-2, while Team USA squandered a lead in a 1-1 draw with Wales. Victory over Iran on Tuesday would guarantee the United States a place in the 16-team knockout stage.

“Some guys from college, we’ve been talking about the World Cup,” Madoian said. “To get the full experience, they said you need to watch the game in a bar setting.”

We could debate whether or not Gregg Berhalter and Gareth Southgate should be so pragmatic in setting up their respective sides. But perhaps it’s best to smile, nod and pass another pint at some point over these next few weeks. Atmospheres and events like these seem to be something we all can share.

bkoch@providencejournal.com 

On Twitter: @BillKoch25 

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Soccer fans fill RI pubs as the USA plays England in the World Cup