It wasn’t the prettiest game by either team, but Saturday’s clash between England and the United States reached fever pitch levels at sports bars and restaurants across the US and around the world. One such party was held in South Florida at Wowies Sports Grill, the host site for EPL Talk’s official World Cup viewing parties.

More than 250 people flocked to Wowies and completely filled the venue. Ninety minutes before kick-off, the sports bar was completely full and chants of “USA, USA” could be heard ringing throughout the bar. Approximately 90 percent of the people there were supporting the United States, so it was refreshing to see a crowd of US soccer fans coming out in masses to not only support their country but to support the sport of soccer.

While the events from the pub were streamed to almost 2,000 people around the world who watched the Wowies livestream from the EPL Talk homepage, the fans inside the pub were glued to the TV sets. Some fans came from as far away as Chicago and Jacksonville just to be at the official viewing party for EPL Talk.

There was friendly banter between the US and England fans in the crowd throughout the party. One of the most interesting chants from US fans were a chorus of “BP Sucks” by US fans aimed at the England supporters.

As far as atmospheres go, this was by far the best US soccer experience I’ve ever had (honestly). Like I’ve said before, I was looking for an American sports bar that had the ultimate experience for US soccer fans rather than hosting it at a British pub that would be pro-England (and where US soccer would feel like the minority).

The crowd went absolutely nuts when the USA scored and definitely enjoyed the free Heineken beer that was served as well as the USA and England jerseys that were given away at the end in the free raffle (thanks to World Soccer Shop for donating the shirts).

Here’s a slideshow of some of the pictures from the day:

On behalf of EPL Talk, thank you to everyone who visited Wowies in Boca Raton. And don’t forget that Wowies will be showing all World Cup games between now and July 11 (except for the 7:30am kickoffs). The sports bar features 31 big screen TVs, great food, three full-liquor bars and last, but not least, the Wowies girls.

If you live in South Florida and missed the England v USA game, be sure to stop by Wowies and say hello.

Thanks to Lou Bruno and Ionel Roiban for the photos.