To get acquainted with the US’s possible opponents (or to jump on the Ronaldinho bandwagon), head out to the vibrant Brazilian hot spot of Framingham. After Brazil’s 2002 triumph, an impromptu parade broke out down route 126, with people honking horns, leaning out of car windows, and waving green and yellow flags everywhere. This all happened at nine in the morning.
Your best bet is Ipanema Brazilian Grill (17 Edgell Road, Framingham). Ipanema is a churrascaria, which means that for a flat fee you’ll be offered endless skewers of beef, chicken, pork, turkey, and lamb. Combine 25 TVs and an enormous projection screen with copious quantities of the imported Brazilian brew Nova Chin, and you’ll be glad you made the trip down Route 9. Just listen for the sound of chanting, such as
Eu sou Brasileiro
Com muito orgulho
Com muito amor!
That translates into “I am Brazilian, with much pride, with much honor!” You may not be Brazilian yourself, but there’s no reason not to get on the winning side early.
Another favorite this year is England, featuring superstars like David “Mr. Posh Spice” Beckham, Michael Owen, John Terry, and Wayne Rooney (the wunderkind who is on the 23-man roster despite suffering a broken metatarsal on April 29). The Plough and Stars (912 Mass Ave) is one of two must-go joints in Cambridge. England takes on Paraguay on June 10 at 9 am. Yes, the Plough will be open.
Whether you want a few pints of Bass with your breakfast is up to you. Just know that to truly enjoy football as played by the people who invented it, it won’t hurt to get a little pissed for the match. Having a drink or two is clinically proven to help you chant better. The English are masters of altering the lyrics to well-known songs to boost their players’ morale. For example, consider this paean to Liverpool midfielder Stephen Gerrard, set to the tune of “Que Será, Será”:
Steve Gerrard, Gerrard
He’ll score from 40 yards
In addition to more-general choruses like “We love you England, we do,” England supporters have also claimed as their unofficial theme song Elmer Bernstein’s score from The Great Escape. It’s much better than the real theme, a Britpop anthem by Embrace called “World at Your Feet.”
Up the road from the Plough and Stars is Cambridge’s other venerable soccer establishment, Phoenix Landing (512 Mass Ave). A techno dance extravaganza by night, the beautiful game rules this roost during the day. With a reputation for early-morning soccer, the Landing will be packed with plenty of red and white jerseys for England’s June 15 match against Trinidad & Tobago.
Your only chance to see a World Cup game in a stadium atmosphere comes on Saturday, June 17, when the US takes on Italy in the second match of group play. Anyone who buys tickets to that evening’s Major League Soccer match between the New England Revolution and DC United at Gillette Stadium (1 Patriot Place, Foxborough) can get in early to watch the live broadcast from Germany on the stadium’s massive video screens. You will have to check your hooligan tendencies at the door — Revs games tend to be family affairs. On the plus side, ticket prices top out at $34 and parking is free. Not a bad alternative, considering that most bars in Boston will probably be showing the Red Sox game (which starts at 1:20 pm that day).
