They raised their hands as Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” blared at full volume, just seconds after the U.S. women’s national soccer team won the gold medal against Brazil (1-0) at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Dozens of people gathered at TightKnit Brewing Co., 813 8th St., in downtown Greeley Saturday morning to watch the game.
The victory was the U.S. team’s first since the 2012 Olympics and its fifth gold medal overall. The game-winning goal was scored by Mallory Swanson of Colorado in the 57th minute. The team also includes Sophia Smith of Windsor and Lindsey Horan of Golden, the team’s captain. Smith played high school soccer in Fort Collins at Fossil Ridge High School.
TightKnit owner Tommy Dyer led a USA chant as dozens of watch party attendees sang along and the team celebrated on the field. It was a party in the USA, in Paris and at the brewery.
A soccer fan himself, Dyer said the brewery is the place to be for big games. TightKnit has hosted watch parties for major events from the FIFA World Cup to the Copa America. Although Dyer prefers them to start in the evening rather than at 9 a.m. like Saturday’s gold medal game, he was pleased with the lively turnout.
“We always try to host these big games,” he said. “It’s kind of an underground soccer spot that some people know, and it comes from my passion for the sport.”
Around a dozen football and USA fans had settled down at the bar or one of the tables inside the brewery at 9 a.m. The game was on all four televisions and the voices of the commentators boomed through the brick building.
In the 14th minute, more fans streamed in and found seats as both teams showed off their skills on the pitch. A minute later, the crowd at the Brewery groaned in pain as Brazil scored, but the pain turned to joy when the replay showed the Brazilian player was offside. No goal.
Half an hour after the game had started, Oralia Lozano was among a group of friends who were watching the game as if spellbound.
“The US has problems,” Lozano said. “Brazil is fast.”
But Lozano’s belief that the team would bring home the gold didn’t waver as the game went into halftime with the score tied 0-0. Lozano’s group, like the others, had breakfast burritos from Bandit Burrito Co. and one of the many beers on tap at their table.
A few minutes before the second half, Hannah Day and Juan Martinez gave their predictions as they donned the US team’s soccer jerseys. Day said the game would end with a score of 2-0 or 2-1 in favor of the USA. Martinez said US forward Trinity Rodman, daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, would score a hat trick to make the final score 3-0.
Alyssa Naeher, the US goalkeeper, made a brilliant save to preserve her team’s lead late in the game. A few minutes later, Naeher saved another shot.
“What a rescue, friend,” someone shouted in the brewery.
As the seconds ticked by and Dyer sensed his victory, he clapped and began singing the victory song. It was time to celebrate at the brewery.
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