By Moses Leos III

Decked out in a jersey with a Team USA crest on the front, Kyle resident Sam Aguirre wasn’t shy in showing who his rooting interest was in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final. 

Aguirre, along with a handful of local soccer fans inside of Centerfield Bar and Grill in Kyle, made up the roughly 20-million viewers who rooted on Team USA in its quest for the World Cup.   

For Aguirre, getting a chance to watch the team inevitably claim the World Cup that eluded them in 2011 was a gratifying experience.

 “They’ve been there, an opportunity to make it to the finals, and now they’ve finally did it,” Aguirre said. “They proved it, by the way they’re playing. They deserve to be here. “ 

Aguirre’s history with the World Cup stems from the team’s last attempt in 2011, when the U.S. fell to Japan in the World Cup final in penalty kicks. 

But for Aguirre, that’s when he said he began to follow the team more closely. 

In 2014, Aguirre said he attempted to catch as many games as he could. But one constant was the team’s ability to play as a cohesive unit. 

That included watching the Team USA defense go over 500-minutes in the World Cup without conceding a goal. 

“They’re in sync with each other,” Aguirre said. “Even when there’s changes, and they make mistakes, they are able to capitalize on those mistakes and score (goals).” 

Team cohesion was something Hays High varsity soccer player Chase Lindsey said he noticed while watching the U.S. team. Lindsey said the team’s penchant for moving toward the goal as a unit allowed for their success.

“They move as a full team,” Lindsey said. “The way a team should be.” 

Progression was also a key attribute for John Lindsey, who along with Chase and his wife, Sandra, watched the game as well. 

Sandra said the team’s ability to get stronger through the tournament was vital. She said the team was more united after their shaky start.

Following soccer, and the progress of the U.S. team, is a more recent development for the Lindsey family. Sandra said her family was “not into soccer that much” when the team won their last World Cup in 1999.

But over the years, their mindset changed. On Sunday, the Lindsey family proudly sported their Team USA gear. 

“I can’t believe we’re so into soccer these days,” Sandra said. 

Diana Amaro and her family, which took to the bar to catch the game as well, held a similar trait. Amaro said her daughter played varsity soccer and got her involved in the game. 

Her enthusiasm, along with the rise of the U.S. team following the 2011 World Cup, fueled Jeanette Botello, who joined Amaro in watching Sunday’s game. 

“I didn’t watch soccer at all. Over the last two years, I’ve watched it,” Botello said. “I’m now hearing feedback from friends, as they are getting into the game.”

But the accomplishment of the team was something Sandra said is an asset for many young female athletes, and soccer as a whole. 

“It’s amazing for all of the young girls out there that enjoy the sport and play the sport,” she said. “The women’s team, they’ve put it out there and it’s a good opportunity for the young girls.”