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

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.