PORTLAND (WGME) -- Maine has a case of the World Cup fever and Portland restaurants are certainly drawing some crowds.
Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant on Commercial St. and Portland Zoo on Fox St. are two places where soccer fans can watch the game.
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Melanie Bolduc, Rí Rá’s general manager, says it’s been a record year at the Irish pub, and the winter soccer madness is just the icing on the cake.
They've seen big numbers for all the U.S. games so far, and fans of other countries too, like France and Germany. Although the Germans won't be watching any more of their team’s games after getting knocked out.
“France was playing. We have a couple German fans that came in. So, we have all walks of life really here. That’s what an Irish pub is. Whether it’s here, or Kalamazoo, that’s what an Irish pub is. It’s just a place where everybody comes to meet,” Bolduc said.
The Portland Zoo opened in 2017 and they watch soccer all year. On Saturday, they will be dedicating their big shed in the back to the U.S. game. They've seen the local soccer community grow over the years.
“Most of the fall and winter we show the Premier League soccer, but it’s amazing to see the World Cup happening this year, and Portland, Maine soccer fans following it, showing up early, get into it, follow the bracket,” said Andy Bustin, with Portland Zoo.
Bustin said to dress warm, but it'll be fun with hot toddies and bloody Mary’s or whatever your heart desires.
The U.S. team will take on the Netherlands at 10 a.m. EST on Saturday.
Rí Rá is opening before 10 a.m. so fans can watch the game. Portland Zoo will open a half hour before the 10 a.m. start. Porthole is opening before the game.
You can also watch the game at Sebago Brewing (opening at 10 a.m.), Stars and Stripes in Portland (opening at 9 a.m.), and Byrnes Irish Pub in Brunswick.