Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LEOMINSTER — Fans of Argentina went crazy at the FIFA World Cup watch party held in the city on Wednesday when the South American team bested England 2-1 in an epic comeback to move onto the championship match on Sunday.

Young soccer players enjoyed kicking the ball around together at the Massachusetts Youth Soccer FIFA World Cup watch party on July 15 at Doyle Field in Leominster. The watch party at Doyle Field for the final match, Spain vs. Argentina, on Sunday, July 19 begins at 2 p.m. and there's also one at Coolidge Park in Fitchburg, same time. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
Young soccer players enjoyed kicking the ball around together at the Massachusetts Youth Soccer FIFA World Cup watch party on July 15 at Doyle Field in Leominster. The watch party at Doyle Field for the final match, Spain vs. Argentina, on Sunday, July 19 begins at 2 p.m. and there's also one at Coolidge Park in Fitchburg, same time. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

The event held at Doyle Field is part of a statewide series of festival-style watch parties hosted by Massachusetts Youth Soccer in partnership with U.S. Soccer’s Soccer Forward Foundation. There was a cheerful atmosphere at the July 15 affair that drew hundreds of people of all ages who brought chairs and blankets to watch the game on a large LED screen.

A constant stream of young soccer players happily kicked the ball around together in pitches marked off with inflatable boundaries and there were crafts and interactive games and activities.

he menus of the food trucks on hand included tacos, burritos, burgers, ice cream and Portuguese cuisine courtesy of Fitchburg based food truck Figsfood, which also has a stall in the Fitchburg Public Market.

Massachusetts Youth Soccer Director of Operations Michael Bruno was sitting front and center for the game and threw his arms in the air in celebration and cheered loudly along with many others when Argentina scored their first goal about an hour into the game and then got a second goal that resulted in the win.

“My father is from Argentina, and much of his family still lives there, so I’ve always had a special connection to the country, its people, and, of course, the national team,” he shared. “Supporting Argentina has always been more than just cheering for a soccer team — it’s a way of celebrating my family’s heritage and staying connected to my roots.”

The Massachusetts Youth Soccer FIFA World Cup watch party on July 15 at Doyle Field in Leominster brought out hundreds of people of all ages who enjoyed watching the Argentina vs. England match along with activities including inflatable soccer fields. The watch party at Doyle Field for the final match, Spain vs. Argentina, on Sunday, July 19 begins at 2 p.m. and there's also one at Coolidge Park in Fitchburg, same time. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
The Massachusetts Youth Soccer FIFA World Cup watch party on July 15 at Doyle Field in Leominster brought out hundreds of people of all ages who enjoyed watching the Argentina vs. England match along with activities including inflatable soccer fields. The watch party at Doyle Field for the final match, Spain vs. Argentina, on Sunday, July 19 begins at 2 p.m. and there's also one at Coolidge Park in Fitchburg, same time. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Bruno went on to say that soccer has always been a huge part of his life, and he played the game “for as long as I can remember.”

“When my playing days ended, I naturally transitioned into coaching,” he said. “What I love most about the game is its ability to bring people together. It teaches teamwork, resilience, and creates memories that last a lifetime, whether you’re on the field, in the stands, or gathered with family and friends watching from home.”

Their World Cup watch parties are doing just that, bringing communities together to experience the excitement of the tournament that welcomed 48 teams from around the world. And now it’s down to just two teams, Argentina and Spain, one of which will take home the coveted 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy.

“Our festival watch parties, along with so many others across the country, have been incredible because they’ve created a place where people from all backgrounds can come together over a shared love of the game,” Bruno conveyed. “Seeing families, lifelong fans, and people experiencing soccer for the first time celebrating side by side has been amazing. The energy, the passion, and the sense of community have exceeded anything we could have imagined, and it’s been an honor to help create an experience that brings people together through the beautiful game.”

There are two options locally to attend the final Massachusetts Youth Soccer World Cup watch party on Sunday, July 19, at Doyle Field in Leominster and at Coolidge Park in Fitchburg. They both begin at 2 p.m. and there are other sites across the state to watch the game at as well. To register for free tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/3cyhtkba and select the location of your choice.

The Massachusetts Youth Soccer FIFA World Cup watch party on July 15 at Doyle Field in Leominster brought out hundreds of people of all ages who enjoyed watching the Argentina vs. England match along with activities including inflatable soccer fields. The watch party at Doyle Field for the final match, Spain vs. Argentina, on Sunday, July 19 begins at 2 p.m. and there's also one at Coolidge Park in Fitchburg, same time. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
The Massachusetts Youth Soccer FIFA World Cup watch party on July 15 at Doyle Field in Leominster brought out hundreds of people of all ages who enjoyed watching the Argentina vs. England match along with activities including inflatable soccer fields. The watch party at Doyle Field for the final match, Spain vs. Argentina, on Sunday, July 19 begins at 2 p.m. and there's also one at Coolidge Park in Fitchburg, same time. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
Original article
Add as a preferred source on Google