Business Hopes World Cup Brings Boost

Fans in Montgomery are used to watching Auburn and Alabama football, but today kicks off football of a different kind.

 

32 teams from around the world are playing, starting with host country Brazil and Croatia.

 

Baumhower’s restaurant in Montgomery is hoping that a few changes from the last World Cup four years ago will help boost business.

 

“I think what’s in our favor this time is the time zones so we’ll see real time games. Also with Maxwell Air Force Base and the international crowd there’s a good following of soccer. So we’re anticipating a good turn out,” said General Manager Don Parker.

 

The USA team doesn’t play until Monday, but Alabama State University Soccer Coach Jodie Smith says that there’s more interest in the sport in general than you might think in Montgomery. 

 

“Yeah, I think it’s growing. Within montgomery, a lot of people don’t know that we have four schools that actually have collegiate soccer programs, good youth programs in the area, so it’s a growing city as far as soccer is concerned,” said Smith.

 

And there are more than just players in the area. Kyle Dever has lived in Montgomery all his life and he plans on catching all the World Cup action that he can. He has high hopes for the US team. 

 

“I’m one of the few that believes America is going to make it out of the group. I strongly believe we’ll make it at least to the semi-final. Been waiting since the last world cup. Ready to get some vengeance this year,” said Dever.

 

And both Dever and Coach Smith are planning to stay glued to a TV for the next few weeks.

 

“I’m going to watch every game possible,” said Dever.

 

“Yeah I plan on seeing as many games as I can,” said Coach Smith.