With World Cup, Gritty Urban Core Becomes a Little More Cosmopolitan (and Gritty)

Reston Town Center hosted a viewing party for last night's U.S.-Portugal World Cup match, giving our gritty urban core a decidedly cosmopolitan gritty feel. Our favorite correspondent, The Peasant From Less Sought After South Reston, was on the scene:

Joined by several thousands of his closest friends, the Peasant and his trusty sidekick Daniela Boone (aka Mrs. Peasant) ventured to our gritty urban core late Sunday afternoon to attend the public viewing party of the U.S.-Portugal World Cup match. Two massive screens facing each other at either end of the outside pavilion aired the action, accompanied by breathless ESPN commentary, to the assembled and very enthusiastic multitude. Lots of red, white, and blue attire, and huge cheers as the U.S national anthem is sung.

Portugal scores first, which deflates the assembled crowd. At the end of the first half, the U.S. is down 1-0, but we have apparently seen history being made with the first-ever water break in a World Cup game. (But really, Manaus has nothing over a Washington summer). Even more dire than the score, however, is the announcement on the RTC public loudspeaker: "Beer sales are concluding at the end of halftime!"

The U.S. comes storming back in the second half with two goals to take a 2-1 lead; the roar of the crowd each time matched only by the excitement generated by the DRB ruling on red mulch. A U.S. victory and certain advancement to the next round look assured until the sneaky Portuguese score in the final seconds of stoppage time to end the game in a 2-2 tie.

Snark aside, this actually was a great event to attend. So much so that Tom Roussey of WABC-7, who was there to cover the event for the "main-stream media", commented in a chance meeting with Mrs. Peasant that he had never before seen such a large public gathering for a soccer match. Nice job, RTC and co-sponsor DC United. Go USA!

GRITTY.

There haven't been so many people milling about Reston Town Center since the release of the latest Apple, whazzitcalled, iPhone.

The Action McNews report:



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