Even though the U.S. men’s national soccer team played Wednesday night in San Francisco, the excitement from the match made the jump to San Antonio’s Lion & Rose Pub.
Fans started showing up at the North Side pub before the 7 p.m. kickoff, juiced up to see the U.S. team take on Bosnia-Herzegovina. Much of the excitement stemmed from Team USA playing beyond expectations in this year’s World Cup and advancing to the Round of 16 for the first time in two decades.
The World Cup, which happens once every four years, is one of the most-viewed tournaments in international sports. With the 2026 tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, American fans, including those in San Antonio, have taken special interest.
Families crowded together in Lion & Rose, many wearing red white and blue. The pre-match atmosphere was electric as local supporter Eric Aguirre led the room in custom chants.
“Before the game started, I texted my friends, ‘It smells like red, white and blue in here,” fan Chris Zamarripa said. “I got in here around 6, and I thought I was too early, because it was an hour before the game started … . But the people in here were yelling already.”
From the very first minute of the action, Lion & Rose’s patrons were enthralled and cheering along. An early high came around 45 minutes in, when Folarin Balogun scored the first goal to put the U.S. one ahead.
Spectators hoisted their glasses and exchanged high fives. Chants of “U-S-A!” broke out through the bar.
The mood changed around an hour into the game when a referee issued a red card to Balogun. The penalty forced the star player to the sidelines, and a hush gripped the Lion & Rose.
Although the U.S. continued the game with just 10 players on the field, the squad sealed the victory in the 82nd minute with a spectacular free-kick goal by Malik Tillman that sent the pub into a frenzy.
Another rhythmic chant of “U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!” shook the place.
When the referee blew the final whistle, and the U.S. closed out Bosnia in a 2-0 win, fans at the bar traded high-fives and raised pint glasses into the air.
World Cup fever found its way to San Antonio.
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