Chicagoans both German and American celebrate World Cup advancement

CHICAGO (WLS) -- At Maribell's in Irving Park, the house is decked out in black, red and yellow. Thursday afternoon it was definitely on Germany's side.

"I am a German citizen, but proud to be an American as well," said Philip Moser, U.S. Marine and German soccer fan.

Moser was born in Germany and is now stationed at North Carolina's Marine Camp Lejeune. He's home in Chicago for two weeks for some rest and relaxation, but his heart, while tugged, leans to the Fatherland.

"[Soccer] is something that brings people together," he said

That sense of togetherness led Maribell's to redecorate a room two years ago in anticipation of this game, this day. Jeffrey Heil's parents opened it a generation ago after arriving from Bavaria.

"If USA wins I will be just as happy," Heil said, "But I am going for Germany, I am for Germany right now."

All around the region soccer fans got in front of whatever device was at hand to take in the spectacle of USA vs. Germany.

The 180 footballers on the pitch at UIC's soccer camp saw history made. With World Cup television ratings soaring, the people who've loved "the beautiful game" forever are deeply gratified by Team USA's advancement

"I look at all my friends who I grew up with who said soccer will never make, it soccer will never make it," UIC Men's soccer coach Sean Phillips said, "I think it has. We are a 20-year old professional league and we are shattering ratings all over the place."

Ten-year-old Mitchell Olenick, one of the next generation of players at UIC's camp this summer, agrees that soccer is going to be more popular in America now because of the World Cup. Why?

"because it is going around world-wide everybody is watching it, it's like the big thing right now," Olenick said.

Grant Park will host more viewing parties as the knockout stage of the World Cup gets underway. The United States is expected to face off against Belgium in that first knockout round on Tuesday, July 1.