PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — On the eve of Ecuador’s World Cup match against Ivory Coast, fans flooded the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Saturday night for what they call a “banderazo,” which is a term for a flag-waving rally held before major matches.
Chants echoed across the iconic steps as supporters gathered in a show of national pride ahead of Sunday’s first World Cup match in the city against Ivory Coast.
“Everybody just got together – everybody just sent like notifications, 6 p.m. and everybody just gathered here,” said Francisco Espinosa of Ecuador.
Some fans may have gotten a little cozier with Rocky than most Philadelphians would prefer, but rest assured, it was all out of love.
“I love Philly! I have been here, well, years ago and it’s a nice place,” said Patricia Herrera, also from Ecuador.
As the rally unfolded outside, soccer fans packed into Black Taxi in Fairmount, a well known soccer bar in the city, to watch the 9 p.m. match. Rebecca Bengharbia of Scotland said she was glad to find a place that embraces the sport.
“Oh it’s great. Because you don’t get a lot of that over here, where back home that’s what you’re used to,” she said.
Regulars said the bar has become a hub during the tournament.
“It’s my favorite bar to come to. We have a good friendship with the people at the bar, and I can’t think of a better place to watch the World Cup!” said Rainey Backues of South Philadelphia.
“Last night was pretty mad after the Fan Fest. We had like thousands of people walking up the street. It was pretty chaotic,” said Tiarnan Donnelly, a server at the Black Taxi.
Earlier in the day, a decent crowd turned out at the FIFA Fan Fest for the Brazil-Morocco match. Among them was Ryan Regag of Downingtown, whose parents are from Morocco.
“It’s really cool, it has like a lot of history. A lot of people play like soccer in the streets,” he said.
The excitement continues Sunday, with Philadelphia’s first World Cup match scheduled for 7 p.m.
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