Cape Girardeau brewery hosts finale World Cup watch party

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — The final match of the FIFA World Cup kicks off Sunday afternoon, marking the end of weeks of watch parties that have brought soccer fans together at Many Good Things Brewery in Cape Girardeau.

The brewery has hosted a watch party for every World Cup match throughout the tournament, drawing fans from across southeast Missouri.

Patrick Koetting, a longtime soccer fan who has helped organize the brewery’s watch parties, said the goal was to create a place where people could gather and enjoy the sport together.

“When we opened up the bar, Many Good Things, I wanted to have a soccer bar somewhere where people could enjoy the game,” Koetting said. “As this World Cup ramped up, we have had so many wonderful people be here and the watch parties have been insane.”

Koetting said fans showed up no matter when matches were played, including early morning kickoffs.

“If they were 6:00 in the morning, we would be here,” he said. “As it’s grown and as it’s come to the United States, this has been a very engaging World Cup for Americans and it’s been a pleasure to see.”

He said the watch parties have grown into more than a place to watch soccer, helping strengthen Cape Girardeau’s soccer community.

“There’s always something to be said for community,” Koetting said. “When the USA played, we had smoke bombs, we had people on the street, and it’s a heck of a party.”

Inside the brewery, scarves collected during trips to soccer matches across Europe line the walls, reflecting the owners’ and Koetting’s passion for the sport.