San Jose a World Cup winner: Businesses catch action as soccer fans flock downtown

THE UNITED STATES soccer team may have tied England at the World Cup’s Friday match, but the game was a win for San Jose regardless of the results.

World Cup watch parties — organized by the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team, local businesses and the San Jose Downtown Association — have activated San Pedro Square in a way the city hasn’t seen since the pandemic’s start. Hundreds of soccer fans flood the block to watch matches on the big screen, get some drinks and eat food with other locals. Restaurant and bar owners in the downtown area say business has never been better.