They put their hands up as Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” blasted at full volume, just seconds after the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team won the gold medal over Brazil, 1-0, in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Dozens of people gathered to watch the match Saturday morning at TightKnit Brewing Co., 813 8th St., in downtown Greeley.
The victory was the U.S. team’s first since the 2012 Olympics and its fifth gold medal ever. The game-winning goal came in the 57th minute from Colorado native Mallory Swanson. The team also includes Windsor native Sophia Smith and Golden native Lindsey Horan, the team’s captain. Smith played high school soccer in Fort Collins at Fossil Ridge High School.
TightKnit owner Tommy Dyer led a USA chant as the dozens of attendees at the watch party joined in and the team celebrated on the pitch. It was a party in the USA, in Paris and at the brewery.
TightKnit Brewing Co. owner Tommy Dyer, middle, celebrates with his customers after the USA Women’s Soccer team beat Brazil to win the gold medal during a watch party at the local bar in Greeley on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.(Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)
A soccer fan himself, Dyer said the brewery has been the place to be for big-time matches. TightKnit has hosted watch parties for major events from FIFA World Cup to Copa America. Even though Dyer prefers they start in the evening and not at 9 a.m. as Saturday’s gold medal match did, he was happy to see a solid turnout.
“We always try to be that host spot for those major matches,” he said. “It’s kind of an underground football spot that some people know, and it comes from my passion for the sport.”
Around a dozen soccer and USA fans found a spot at the bar or one of the tables inside the brewery at 9 a.m. All four TVs were tuned into the match as the announcers’ voices boomed throughout the brick building.
In the 14th minute, more fans trickled in and found a seat as both teams showcased their talents on the pitch. The crowd in the brewery groaned in agony a minute later when Brazil scored, but the agony turned into delight when the replay showed the Brazilian player was offsides. No goal.
A half-hour into the match, Oralia Lozano was among a group of friends who were glued to the game.
“The U.S. is struggling,” Lozano said. “Brazil has the speed.”
But Lozano’s faith in the team bringing home the gold wasn’t fading as they headed into halftime tied 0-0. Lozano’s group, like the others, had Bandit Burrito Co. breakfast burritos and one of many beers on tap at their table.
A few minutes before the second half, Hannah Day and Juan Martinez gave their predictions as they donned Team USA soccer jerseys. Day said the match would end with a score of 2-0 or 2-1 in the USA’s favor. Martinez said USA’s Trinity Rodman, a forward and daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, would have a hat trick to put the final score at 3-0.
Alyssa Naeher, the USA goalkeeper, made a highlight save to preserve the team’s lead late in the match. A few minutes later, Naeher stopped another ball.
“What a save, girlfriend,” someone in the brewery called out.
With the seconds winding down and Dyer sensing victory, he clapped and began leading the victorious chant. It was time to party in the brewery.
Originally Published: August 10, 2024 at 2:53 p.m.
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Publish date : 2024-08-10 09:55:00
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