The United States will take on Belgium in the so-called round of 16 today at 4 p.m. Since you already plan to cut out of work early to watch the match, you might as well cheer on the boys in red, white, and blue with hundreds of your fellow freedom lovers.
Plenty of bars, restaurants, and even museums around town are hosting watch parties. But one of the most novel places to catch the game launches today: a temporary, pop-up stadium at Mana Wynwood.
The event, billed as Watch the Cup, is an official FIFA watch party, so be sure not to bite anybody or you might have to miss the rest of the tournament. In fact, biting people is probably never a good thing to do.
Event organizer Tony Albelo says he's conservatively expecting around 200 people to show up for the U.S. game, although the venue can comfortably hold roughly 500 fans.
The stadium is really a massive party tent that provides nearly total protection from sun and rain that may threaten the gathered crowds. Inside, a 240-inch LCD screen will show the remainder of the World Cup matches.
A collection of leather couches and aluminum bleachers sitting on a expanse of AstroTurf make the seating area equal parts living room and recreation field.
Albelo says there will also be a special feature called PoolBar, a modified game of billiards. But instead of hitting a billiard ball with a cue, you kick a painted soccer ball into the pockets.
"It was intended for people to use with their feet, but we figured it was the right height for a bar so we just put some stools around it," Albelo explains.
Albelo is rooting for Team USA and urges people of all sports interest levels -- even Miami's notorious bandwagon fans -- to show up.
"A friend of mine said that you're a bandwagon jumper because you're pulling for the USA. But I said, 'What's wrong with that?'" Albelo says.
Watch the Cup will open today at 11 a.m. and run until an hour after the USA vs. Belgium game ends. Admission is free to the public. If you RSVP, you can get a voucher for a free beer. The pop-up stadium will be open on game days until the final match July 13.
To RSVP for drink specials, visit watchthecup.com.
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