Opinion

Letter: World Cup 2014 Pop Up Park ‘New Canaan at Its Best’

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[acx_slideshow name=”Pop Up Park World Cup 2014″]

Sunday evening over 500 U.S. soccer fans gathered at the Pop-Up Park to watch the US vs Portugal World Cup match. It was New Canaan at its best. Seniors, parents, and lots of young budding soccer stars cheered on the United States. The weekend World Cup event was truly a collaborative effort. Many town groups stepped up to help out and as result six World Cup games were shown under a tent during the day and on Saturday evening “Air Bud” was shown to the younger kids in town.

Around Town

Pop Up Park: New Canaanites Gather to Cheer on U.S. Soccer Team

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The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Baskin-Robbins, Connecticut Sandwich Co., Joe’s Pizza and Mackenzie’s. To pause the slideshow below for captions, just move your cursor over it, article continues below. [acx_slideshow name=”Pop Up Park World Cup 2014″]

 

As the sun set on New Canaan’s Pop Up Park (set up between Morse Court and Elm on South Avenue), hundreds of New Canaanites gathered around three flat-screen TVs beneath and around a white party tent early Sunday evening to cheer on the United States Men’s National Soccer Team as they took on a strong Portuguese team (ranked #4 in the world) in a thrilling group showdown of the 2014 World Cup. (New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tucker Murphy estimated that more than 500 residents were at the park at its height.)

Prior to kickoff, activities such as a raffle for a custom-designed USA blazer and other prizes were in full swing as piles of pizza boxes were devoured by hungry soccer fans. The event was a joint effort of the New Canaan Soccer Association with support from the Local First Fund of the New Canaan Community Foundation, Town of New Canaan, the chamber, Realty Guild and ESPN.

Around Town

Mallozzi: ‘Come on Down and Join Us’ Sunday at Pop Up Park for U.S.-Portugal World Cup Match

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FIrst Selectman Rob Mallozzi on World Cup 2014 Pop Up Park
 

The United States opens World Cup 2014 at 6 p.m. (local time) Monday versus Ghana. The group from which the United States must advance, Group G, also includes Germany and Portugal—a set of teams that some have dubbed the “Group of Death” for its prowess (while others argue Group B is more difficult, with defending champions Spain, Netherlands, Chile and Australia). The U.S. squad has been ranked #13 overall by FIFA, while Germany is #2 and Portugal #4. Americans that many will recognize from the World Cup roster include DaMarcus Beasley, Brad Davis and Clint Dempsey. The question of who will advance will be open at 6 p.m. this Sunday when the United States plays its second group match, versus mighty Portugal.

Around Town

Q&A: As World Cup Begins, Plans Unfold for Pop Up Park Next Weekend

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USA: “I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!” (ESPN 2014 FIFA World Cup Commercial)
The World Cup opens at 4 p.m. (New Canaan time—complete schedule here) Thursday when host Brazil takes on Croatia in Sao Paulo. The United States opens at 6 p.m. Monday versus Ghana. The following weekend, June 21 and 22, will see the United States take on mighty Portugal in what’s being called a pivotal match for this very tough bracket—it’s 6 p.m. on Sunday the 22nd—and for that entire weekend, the Pop-Up Park at South Avenue (between Morse Court and Elm) will feature World Cup play on three large-screen TVs. (Additionally on Saturday, after the 6 p.m. match, say 8 p.m., “Air Bud: World Pup” will be screened “drive-in movie” style at the park.)

The weekend’s activities—which are all weather-safe, thanks to a huge tent that on site—is a collaborative effort of the New Canaan Soccer Association with support from the Local First Fund of the New Canaan Community Foundation, Town of New Canaan, New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, Realty Guild and ESPN.