Match Day in D.C.: United States v. Brazil

Photo by wjarrettc used under a Creative Commons license.

If you like international soccer, you're in luck. After defeating the European champions and consensus world number one Spain 2-0 last Wednesday in the first semi-final match of the FIFA Confederations Cup, the U.S. men's national soccer team will try to defeat another perennial soccer powerhouse, Brazil, in the final.

Today's match (2:00 p.m. on ESPN) -- though not nearly as prestigious as a World Cup match -- marks the first time a U.S. men's soccer team has ever competed for a championship at a FIFA international tournament and represents a major test for a U.S. team plagued by inconsistency. After a tumultuous pair of losses to start the tournament, the Yanks rebounded soundly, dominating a Egyptian team who had stunned world champions Italy days before and then attacking and defending with manic fervor to defeat Spain 2-0 in the semi-final -- a Spanish team so good they were unbeaten in their last 35 matches. The States' opponents in the final, Brazil -- the same side led by Robinho, Luis Fabiano, and Kaka which embarrassed the Nats 3-0 but ten days ago -- will require nothing less than another gutty, disciplined 90 minutes if the U.S. wants to lift their first FIFA trophy.

Alright, so just where should you watch the game? We asked around at a few of our favorite soccer pubs to see what they were planning on doing for what is certainly one of the biggest matches in United States soccer history:

Lucky Bar
1221 Connecticut Avenue NW
Well, obviously. The football bar inside the confines of D.C. will open at noon in preparation for today's match. This writer watched the USA-Spain game here and you can expect a big, pro-U.S. crowd. Get there real early, people.

Molly Malone's
713 8th Street SE
Opening early this morning at 9 a.m. for the third-place game between Spain and South Africa, Molly Malone's will be showing the U.S./Brazil match on both floors, with all TVs receiving signal from Johannesburg. Special prices on select food and beers (including Peroni, Miller Lite, Yuengling, and Carlsberg). They're expecting a fervent crowd of U.S. soccer supporters, as well.

Summer's Restaurant
1520 N. Court House Road, Arlington, Virginia
Only one of a few pubs around the country to be be given the official seal of approval from the U.S. Soccer Federation, Summer's also is open early for the third-place match. The regular brunch menu and a special on Sam Adams Summer Ale will be available during the United States match this afternoon.

Of course, there's also plenty of other soccer-friendly joints you could check out, like Fado in Chinatown, Union Jack's in Bethesda, and both Elephant and Castle outposts downtown -- but since it's on ESPN, we're sure that most any bar or restaurant with a television will probably have it prominently displayed. Where will you be watching?