The U.S. men’s national soccer team faced Ghana in its World Cup opening match at 3 p.m. Monday, and the Los Angeles Galaxy cheered on one of its own with a fan viewing party.
Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez is among the 23 players on the U.S. roster, which also includes Southern Claifornia natives Nick Rimando, who played for UCLA and Montclair High School; and Michael Bradley of Manhattan Beach.
Ghana has been the team to eliminate the U.S. in each of the last two World Cups, despite the team’s 37th place ranking by FIFA, soccer’s worldwide governing body. The U.S. is ranked 13th.
On Monday, the U.S. defeated Ghana 2-1.
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The Galaxy’s viewing party kicked off at the Hermosa Beach pier at 2 p.m. and the match was shown on a massive television screen, with current players visiting to sign autographs and the club sponsoring fan giveaways.
The U.S. is guaranteed to play at least three matches, no matter the outcome of the first match-up.
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For the second U.S. game June 22 against Portugal, the Galaxy will host an event at the Lot 613 event space in downtown LA.
