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 Pop Up Park on a recent weekend. It’s open Friday evening through Sunday evening, all summer long, on South Avenue between Morse Court and Elm Street. Who remembers the old Sweet Shoppe? Credit: Terry Dinan
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.
June 22 is expected to be extremely busy, so organizers are encouraging footie fans to come early (there will plenty of activities, though soccer balls aren’t allowed in the Pop Up Park itself).
We had a chance to put some questions to individuals involved in three of the organizations behind the World Cup Weekend at the Pop Up Park: New Canaan Park & Recreation Commission Chair Sallly Campbell, New Canaan Chamber Executive Director Tucker Murphy and the New Canaan Soccer Association’s Matt Miller.
Here’s our exchange.
New Canaanite: The World Cup is the highest prize in one of the most popular youth sports here in New Canaan. We often talk about some of the great athletes who have come up through New Canaan—hockey star Max Pacioretty comes to mind, with the Stanley Cup finals underway (hopefully by the time you read this, the Rangers haven’t been swept)—as well as New Canaan residents who have distinguished themselves in professional sports: football (Terry Hanratty), basketball (Pat Garrity), golf (Gigi Fernandez), and more. Let’s talk about soccer. Who are some of the best soccer players ever to come out of New Canaan—say, former youth and NCHS soccer players who have distinguished themselves in college play (Emily Stauffer comes to mind)?
Sally: There have been lots of former high school players who competed in college, coached on high levels and even played professionally. This list will not be exclusive, but some of those players include Matt and Jeff Leach at Colgate, Maggie Westfal at Yale, Peter Campbell at West Point, Brendan Campbell at Middlebury, Caroline Murray at Ohio State, Matt and Hannah Stauffer at Williams, Emily Stauffer at Harvard. Adults who come to mind are Barry Small who played at Colgate and then was one of the first members of the MLS back in the 1970s. Bill Kapp, Ronnie Ryan, Jay Vidovich.
The Pop-Up Park rapidly has gone from an idea to a pilot season to a widely enjoyed and anticipated town amenity. What’s being planned here is one of the most unique uses of that South Avenue square yet. How will this physically work? Will we have the high tables we’re accustomed to seeing now? Will we have a single TV or a projector screen pointing somewhere, say that wall just next to Pimlico?
Tucker: Yes, the Pop Up is becoming a fixture and the Chamber has even dedicated part of the website to keep everyone informed as to all that is happening there. We love that because honestly there is nothing that makes me happier than in this crazy almost frenetic life we live here to see families of all ages and makeup, friends both young and old and even just the occasional person alone, stopping to take time to sit, relax, talk (not text) and enjoying our wonderful town and each other. Just think it makes New Canaan complete.
Sally: We have a 40-by-30-foot tent that will be put up the morning of the 21st. We are using two 55-inch TVs that the town owns and are purchasing a large 80-inch TV. The will be in the center of the tent along the wall of Realty Guild. Realty Guild is allowing us to use their cable connections. We explored using a projector, but were advised by many of the New Canaan media folks in the business that a projector wouldn’t be bright enough. The high top tables and chairs will be set up.
We expect that folks will float in and out for the games played on Saturday and the first two games on Sunday. We expect to have a real big crowd for the U.S.-Portugal match.
We will ask people to bring the folding umbrella chairs to the event.
Talk to me about how the New Canaan Community Foundation and Town of New Canaan are involved in helping this event come to life? Also: How are the Realty Guild and ESPN involved?
Sally: This is really a collaborative event. The NCSA is teaming up with the Chamber of Commerce and the Town of New Canaan. The town is covering the cost of the tent rental and the Community Foundation through the “Local First Fund” made a grant to help cover the cost of the 80-inch TV. The TV will be donated to the town to be used for other events. We will be using it to show a kids movie after the games on Saturday, June 21st. The Chamber plans to use it for other sporting events and movies. ESPN via resident Sean Bratches has given us to OK to broadcast the event with the provision that no fees are charged and their are no sponsors.
Tucker: The NCCF has supported the town of New Canaan in so many ways and this is just another example of the Board recognizing the value of a private, public partnership to bring such a unique experience to our town. The best part is now that the town owns this TV, we can use it over and over to do more of this type of thing. On Saturday June 21, once the 6 p.m. game has ended we will show “Air Bud – World Cup” as sort of a Drive In Movie Theater that so many of us experienced in our youth but that hardly exist anywhere today. The Town also supports the coming together of people to enjoy a weekend in NC and helped us in case the weather gods decided to rain on our parade. Thanks to the town, we will be protected by a tent and this will also make the day time viewing that much better!
Finally: I notice the release says “watch the USA beat Portugal”—do the organizers of this event have some insider knowledge and would you recommend putting money down on the Americans? That was a joke. But seriously, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (though injured somewhat) is widely considered one of the five best players in this entire World Cup. Break down the match for us: How do we contain him?
Matt: This is group has been labeled the “group of death.” With Germany (rank #2), Portugal (#4), Ghana (#25) and USA (#13). This is similar to the group that the USA was in 2002 with Portugal, Poland and host South Korea. With Portugal one of favorites to win the tournament, Poland’s best team ever and a host nation at that time has never not made it out of its group. USA beat Portugal 3-2 in the opening match and went on to group stage to lose to Germany 1-0 in a controversy game.
Not sure if you have seen the ESPN clip—I believe we will win.