Amid World Cup excitement and controversy over a reversed red card, soccer fans turned out in droves Monday at one West Loop bar to watch the U.S. match against Belgium.
Fans of all ages — many decked out in U.S.A. jerseys, scarves and flags — filled the outdoor space of Recess, 838 W. Kinzie St., a popular venue for soccer fans, in the hours before the match where the U.S. would lose 4-1 and be knocked out of the World Cup.
Many said they had hoped the U.S. could advance, given the reinstatement of star player Folarin Balogun following a controversial overturning of his red card in the team’s July 1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Others said they were uncomfortable with how the red card reversal was handled — after President Donald Trump called FIFA’s president to contest it.
“Do I like that decision as a U.S. fan? No, but that’s the game,” said Alec Santillan, 28, of Jefferson Park, who added he came to Recess at his brother’s suggestion.
Santillan said he generally believes red cards should stand unless they are clearly unjust. But, he said, Balogun is a strong player and enhances the team.
Some fans had stronger reactions against the red card being called in the first place.
“Not for one minute did I think he deserved a red card,” said Kathryn Hemingway, a 53-year-old Rogers Park resident and Chicago Fire season ticket holder.
She said she was glad Balogun would play Monday night.
Losing a key player in the World Cup is different from losing one in a regular MLS game, she said.
“Anything can happen in the World Cup. But I’m definitely cheering on the USA,” she said.
Maggie McDevitt, 22, said she thought the red card was “really stupid.”
As a soccer player herself, the move in question, in which Balogun stepped on another player’s ankle, looked “obviously unintentional.”
“Playing from the back, that’s happened to me many times, and the refs usually never even notice it,” McDevitt said.
McDevitt is from Philadelphia and graduated in the spring from Loyola University’s nursing program. She and her friends chose Recess to watch the match while celebrating her friend’s 22nd birthday.
Still, she said she is focused more on the game itself than the political controversy.
Some traveled far to view the match in Chicago.
Pranav Reddy, 27, came from New Jersey to visit his brother and watch the game.
Reddy said he believes the red card was technically a red card. However, he said, considering how the World Cup has been refereed in general this year, he did not think the red card should have been upheld.
But he didn’t like Trump’s interference.
“Trump putting his foot on the scale kind of taints it,” Reddy said.