July 4 may still be a few days away, but patriotic pride and chants of “USA! USA!” will arrive early in Cortlandt as the town prepares to embrace World Cup fever.
On Wednesday, July 1, the Town of Cortlandt will host a World Cup Watch Party at Cortlandt Waterfront Park (41 Riverview St., Verplanck), where fans can cheer on the United States men’s national team as it takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina in a Round of 32 knockout match. With the stakes clear — the winner advances and the loser goes home — kickoff is set for 8 p.m. The game will be shown live on a giant inflatable screen.
The United States, a co-host of this year’s tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, enters the knockout stage after an impressive group-stage performance. The Stars and Stripes opened their World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12 before defeating Australia 2-0 on June 19. Having already secured first place in their group, the U.S. rested nine starters in its final group match against Turkey on June 25, where it suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat.
Bosnia and Herzegovina advanced with four points from group play. The Dragons opened with a 1-1 draw against co-host Canada on June 12, followed by a 4-1 loss to Switzerland on June 18. They rebounded with a 3-1 victory over Qatar on June 24 to earn one of the tournament’s eight knockout berths reserved for the best third-place finishers.
The Round of 32 match will be played at Levi’s Stadium — officially referred to as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium during the tournament — in Santa Clara, California. According to FIFA, the United States has reached the World Cup knockout stage seven previous times, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is making its first-ever appearance in the tournament’s elimination rounds after debuting at the World Cup in 2014.
The Town of Cortlandt is encouraging attendees to bring lawn chairs, along with family, friends, and plenty of team spirit, for what it calls “an unforgettable summer evening by the Hudson River.”
Octavio’s Food Wagon, a local Mexican food truck, and Mister Softee will be on site throughout the evening serving food, refreshments, and sweet treats.
Although the United States will enjoy home-field support and enter the match with confidence, this World Cup has already produced its share of surprises. If the tournament has shown anything so far, it’s that any team — regardless of pedigree — can pull off an upset when inspired by its supporters.
With a place in the Round of 16 on the line, Wednesday night’s match promises plenty of drama and is one U.S. fans won’t want to miss.
