The Bay Area's large and diverse population of immigrants, drawn from countries all over the world, is fueling enthusiasm for World Cup soccer games -- and it's also enriching the region's mainstream culture.
Bay Area residents, like many Americans, have spent the past decade only beginning to embrace an event, or rather, a culture, that to others is so much more than just soccer. Regarded by many nations as the biggest sporting event in the world, the quadrennial World Cup, held in Germany this year, is igniting fervor all over the globe. With fans hailing from Mexico to Australia's "Down Under," interest in the World Cup is growing so intense it could one day match the passion gripping fans in the immigrants' homelands.
In recent weeks, World Cup fans have been flocking to Bay Area restaurants, bars and cafes to watch the games. Recently, in the back of San Jose's newly reopened Latino sports bar -- Futbol, Antojitoes, y Mas -- Martin Garfias and his wife, Candy, waited anxiously to see whether Mexico would beat Portugal.
They woke up at 5 a.m. to join their fellow fans in watching what they called the "best sport in the world," at a small but cozy place they say is "like Mexico." By 7:15, the restaurant was filled with early risers in green jerseys and sneakers, with the Mexican flag draped over their backs. By halftime, Martin Garfias buried his face in his flag, disappointed at Portugal's lead. But he laughed and said, "I have Portuguese friends and we talk about it. They say 'We're going to win.' I say, 'No, we're going to win,' " Garfias said. "It's like a big friendship."
The reopening of the Latino sports bar, owned by Francisco Maciel, coincided with the World Cup.
"Since the World Cup, I have European, South American, and Latino fans" coming to my restaurant, Maciel said. An immigrant himself, Maciel said he's glad that his business has allowed new and longtime fans alike to enjoy the event.
Maciel's bar is one of many in the region catching World Cup fever. Mick Galvin, co-owner of downtown San Jose's Britannia Arms, turned on all 12 of his televisions at 7 a.m. last week to show the United States' game against Ghana and the Czech Republic's game against Italy.
"I grew up in the UK watching soccer, and we idolized many of our national players," Galvin said. Many people here "still play soccer when we can." His pub's consistent coverage of the World Cup has allowed him to attract many new customers from different cultures. Galvin understands their devotion to the World Cup and to their national teams.
It "has allowed us to bring some of the national pride to the United States," he said.
The enthusiasm has infected longtime Bay Area residents as well. Darryl Ospring, who held a season pass to the San Jose Earthquakes soccer games and is a member of a "big soccer family," has joined many local fans at Brittania Arms.
"I wanted to watch the World Cup with everyone because it is so much fun like this," Ospring said. "Except today, because we lost ... but now I'm going for Mexico."
The World Cup has become more than an exciting sporting event to Michael Raj, 38, who said it has enabled him to connect with his co-workers. Raj went with a group of them to watch the World Cup match between Brazil and Japan at Double D's Sport Grille in downtown Los Gatos. He immigrated from India 10 years ago, and now works at Xilinx in San Jose.
"Before this game, I didn't know many of my co-workers, and it has helped me connect with these guys here," he said. "We talk a lot about it in the office now. When I first came, I was the only guy in the office that had soccer posters all over my cube. The Bay Area is a lot more diverse, and that helps build a strong interest in the World Cup here."
Raj's co-worker Frank Kurosaka agreed. Kurosaka, 41, is rooting for his home country of Japan. He came to Double D's during his lunch hour for a World Cup game with his Xilinx co-workers.
The World Cup scene at Double D's also attracts business travelers from all over the world. Peter Single, a systems architect from Australia, was one of the very few watching the Australia vs. Croatia game at the Los Gatos restaurant.
Darren White, 31, an Irish businessman who was part of the Xilinx crew, says Ireland has a very different soccer culture -- a culture that can become too intense.
"Back in Ireland, we hate the English team," he said, adding that he hasn't seen that type of tension in the Bay Area.
Mark Massoumi, 50, said the World Cup has the ability to resolve cultural tension.
"When you discuss the World Cup, other issues will come up, such as politics," he said.
Massoumi has found that people who are watching World Cup games together often get an eye-opening look into other cultures. During the Italy vs. Korea game, he said, some people learned that Koreans bow when they greet each other as a sign of respect.
"Other things come into the conversation," he said.