Downtown Mamaroneck: World Cup Fever and an Overzealous Launderer

The idea was to ingratiate myself with Mamaroneck's international population on Thursday and get local coverage of the World Cup—but I spoiled it when I asked two Portuguese residents if they often watched soccer.  

"Soccer?" one asked. "Nope."

Mamaroneck's international populations are coalescing downtown this summer to cheer, root and bicker about the World Cup at assorted bars and eateries.  

On Thursday, Café Mozart hosted as eclectic bunch of fans. Lee Bastos of Portugal, Benny DiMaula of France and Manny Enes of Spain—all now living in or near Mamaroneck—shared a table to watch Mexico take on France.

"I'm always following the World Cup," Bastos said. "I'll get off work and come right here to watch."

"I don't want to watch it home, alone," Bastos added. "Soccer should be watched together, so you can rib each other."

During commercial breaks, the talk stayed on the cup; Bastos, DiMaula and Enes bantered about tactics, coaches, and whether they would record the next game or watch it live.

"Football is just the best sport," Bastos said.

World Cup fever isn't just limited to Mamaroneck's watering holes, either. Bastos relayed an anecdote that occurred when he was last at the laundromat.

"The owner—a Korean man—was watching Korea play on his computer," he said. "He's normally very quiet, but when Korea scored he jumped right up and began yelling."

"He came over and apologized afterward," Bastos added.

Mamaroneck business owners and restaurant employees can attest to the Cup's sway, as well. Roasted Peppers, just a few storefronts down from Café Mozart, also housed a large World Cup turnout.

"We're seeing a lot of people come in to watch the games," said Sheila Brown, an employee. Roasted Peppers is offering specials to celebrate occasion.

"We have special prices on beers and martinis for the events," Brown said.

Perhaps the most crowded bar on Thursday was La Herradura, Mamaroneck's newest Mexican eatery. This is the first year the restaurant has been open during the World Cup, and it's already attracting an audience for the games—particularly Thursday afternoon's Mexico vs. France game. When Mexico scored twice on France—and ultimately won the game—La Herradura's cheers drowned out the game's announcers.  

"We're seeing big crowds much more than usual," said one La Herradura employee. "Especially today."