Mercer Islanders have World Cup fever
Published 5:30 pm Friday, June 19, 2026
Erik Anderson enthusiastically raised his right arm in the air and yelled when the United States men’s soccer team scored its second goal of the match on June 19.
The Mercer Islander was seated in the bar area of The Crawlspace Gastropub on the Island that day while intently watching the USA’s World Cup match against Australia with a bevy of fellow soccer fans. Team USA ended up winning the match, 2-0, at Seattle Stadium on a perfect-weather Friday.
Not long after Alex Freeman’s header put the USA up by two, Anderson — sporting a No. 5 Antonee Robinson USA jersey — said that he was stoked to watch the match on his Juneteenth day off.
“I’ve been thinking about the match all morning,” said Anderson, who played high school soccer in Grand Ledge, Michigan. “I think they’re (USA) looking really good, particularly after today.”
Crawlspace co-owner Jason Farrish was pleased with the soccer scene as he checked out the match. He enjoyed the crowd and the enthusiasm happening within his pub and eatery.
“I’m just glad this is a fun kick-back place where you can go and enjoy that game,” said Farrish, adding that some Australians were seated nearby rooting their team on. “Some friendly ribbing at the beginning, I even changed the lights so that they had their yellow and green section over here for Australia.”
Melbourne, Australia, native Ari Sherr has lived on the Island for 11 years and was joined at the Crawlspace by fellow Aussie Matthew Brown and their families.
“I’ve got some family visiting from Australia, so we’ve been keeping a good eye on the Cup and were very impressed with Australian football up in Vancouver. I was very surprised that we beat Turkiye,” said Sherr, adding that it’s been an exciting World Cup that has brought a fun atmosphere to the Seattle area.
Over at the Roanoke Inn, former Mercer Island High School soccer player Aron Penski was seated at the bar with a case of World Cup fever. The Roanoke is his spot and he said the atmosphere and food are second to none.
“I think it’s absolutely fantastic. I think Mercer Islanders show up for the game, the Roanoke is packed, they’re (USA) doing a great job and everybody has a really good feeling in here,” said Penski, who mentioned that his West Mercer Elementary School daughter has carried on the family soccer-playing tradition.
Situated in a Roanoke side room with the game beaming from a television screen, former longtime Islanders Susan and Kevin Regan were thrilled to be back in town after moving to Whidbey Island. They watched the first half of the match at a Pioneer Square party and then light-railed it back to the Island for some Roanoke action.
“Team USA is looking very strong and we’re really excited for their chances,” Susan said.
Husband Kevin, a former soccer coach, echoed Susan’s sentiments and added that the USA has great goalkeeping, and “I think they’re gonna go a long way.”
Up the way at the park and ride and the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, the lots were packed with the cars of fans who gave their vehicles a rest and headed up to the light rail to make their way to the big match.
