Will Americans catch World Cup fever?
There were wild celebrations throughout New York City, with some fans standing on their cars on the streets of Manhattan, while thousands of miles away in Santa Monica, roars could be heard from bars lining the beach.
However, this was not in response to a World Cup game. Instead, it was for the New York Knicks, who staged a stunning comeback on Wednesday—the greatest in NBA Finals history—to defeat the San Antonio Spurs.
This event serves as a reminder of the competition global football's most prestigious tournament faces in the USA as the country's national team prepares to kick off against Paraguay.
Football—or soccer—does not command the same level of passion as sports such as basketball and American football in the United States, and a recent poll suggests that half of Americans surveyed do not care about the tournament.
Following a build-up marked by political issues and expensive tickets, the question remains: just how excited are people in the country for the World Cup?
'I don't care about anything other than the Knicks'
New York Knicks fans took over New York to celebrate their win against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night
This is the second time the USA has hosted the men's World Cup tournament, having last done so in 1994.
That tournament had a significant and lasting impact on football culture in the country, boosting its popularity and paving the way for the creation of Major League Soccer.
However, more than three decades later, excitement for the return of the World Cup on American soil does not yet appear to have fully ignited.
In New York, subtle evidence indicates the impending start of this massive tournament.
Subway trains are decorated in national team colors. Lionel Messi's face appears on a giant billboard in Times Square, and fans walk around the city wearing the shirts of Morocco and Brazil, who meet on Saturday in the first of eight World Cup matches at the MetLife Stadium—rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
Yet, basketball—not football—is currently the dominant passion for New Yorkers.
The New York Knicks lead the NBA Finals 3-1 against the San Antonio Spurs and will clinch the national championship for the first time since 1973 if they win on Saturday when the teams next meet.
"You've seen Batman, right? You've seen Gotham, right? Man, Saturday night is probably going to be like that if the Knicks win," one fan told .
"To be honest I haven't really kept up with anything about the World Cup. I don't care about anything other than the Knicks."
Frank, another fan, added: "I've been concentrating on my Knicks but once it's over I will definitely turn my focus to the World Cup.
"It's just that the Knicks have taken over everything right now in New York."
Another, wearing a royal blue and orange Knicks shirt, said: "I'm going to be honest. I don't know much about soccer."
World Cup kicks off in Mexico with Shakira, dancing, and protests
'Excitement a slow build that is leading to a frothy frenzy'
Inter Miami and Argentina star Lionel Messi features in much of the World Cup promotion in the USA
In Los Angeles—where hosts USA will play two of their three group games—the story regarding World Cup promotion is similar.
Banners promoting 'LA26' and the tournament are visible on streets near Los Angeles Airport, electronic billboards rotate images of various USA squad members, and a large mural in downtown LA features Argentina legend Lionel Messi. Some convenience stores also sell World Cup-related merchandise.
However, for non-football fans, it would be easy to remain unaware that the tournament is about to begin.
One taxi driver transporting BBC World Service colleagues expressed surprise that such an event was imminent, saying, "There's a World Cup happening? Who's playing?"
Organizers expect excitement to grow as the tournament progresses.
"I think we have had a slow build that is leading to a frothy frenzy," says Larry Freedman, co-chairman of the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee.
"It has been such a long time coming and with so many other sports and activities in LA people have been thinking about what they will do tomorrow, not two or three years out.
"But now we are on the eve of it kicking off people are getting very, very excited. We have a very diverse community here and people from all over the world who will have teams participating in this tournament."
Among fans, there is notably more excitement for being in the city where their country will play games, even if they are not die-hard football supporters.
In Santa Monica, Isaiah and Husna—both from Sacramento County—expressed anticipation for experiencing the tournament.
"I'm pretty excited," Isaiah told .
"I've never actually watched the World Cup but I will watch it this year.
"I think it will be exciting because it is here in LA now and LA is where it is at. It will be something different."
Husna added: "Many people don't know what the World Cup is here, but now it is in LA and this is a big popular place they will know about it and watch it."
Both admitted, however, that they were unaware of who the USA faced in their opening game.
The younger generation of Americans spoke to—those who did not experience the tournament when it was last held in the USA in 1994—seemed excited for the World Cup.
One such fan, Mahon, said: "We have watch parties set up so we are very excited for it.
"We do have a few friends who are not really into soccer but we are trying to get into them that we are Team USA - country pride.
"I think it has surpassed baseball in popularity here, but I don't think it will get as big as American football or basketball."
'I don't think anyone knows a World Cup is on'
Scotland returns to the World Cup for the first time in almost 30 years, and their fans have been arriving in Boston this week excited to witness their return to this level of football.
Their first game is against Haiti, but some of the Tartan Army have arrived only to be greeted by Americans unaware of the reason for their presence.
"I went and posted a letter from America 10 minutes ago and the girl asked me what I was doing here and asked if I was on holiday," one Scotland fan told Scotland.
"I had a Scotland top. She didn't even know the World Cup is on."
Another supporter added: "The pubs are brilliant but I don't think anyone knows that there is a World Cup on."
Home fans priced out, but success could have lasting impact
One of the biggest issues for fans both native to America and from abroad has been ticket prices.
In the days before the USA's opener, tickets were still available for the game. However, with the cheapest tickets priced at $1,120 (£836), many fans—particularly families—were priced out.
In downtown LA, a family of four—Chris, Angie, Layla, and Lauren—expressed enthusiasm for World Cup football in their home area.
"We have two girls in club soccer so we are very much fans," said Chris.
"Unfortunately we will watch at home. The ticket prices and availability are a whole other subject."
"If it was more affordable for families we would definitely go and check it out," said Brennan, who was with wife Erica and children Stephanie and Marcel.
"Despite that we will still be excited and watch it from home."
How well the USA national team performs at this tournament will also influence spectator interest—the longer they remain, the more support is likely to build.
Support has certainly increased as the USA's opener approached; earlier this week, a 30-minute training session saw 30,000 fans register interest for the 5,000 tickets available.
Different methods have been employed to reach a broader audience. Recently, USA international Malik Tillman featured on the cover of a fashion magazine wearing a hat resembling an elongated mushroom.
"It's been sent around the group chat a few times ... there's some questionable pictures!" USA and Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards said.
Fellow centre-back Mark McKenzie added: "Ultimately it's about exposure. I'm always up for expressing ourselves in different ways."
If such methods succeed in reaching a different audience, coupled with a strong run by the USA at this World Cup, it could have a lasting and transformative impact on the sport in America, as it did back in 1994.
- USA '94: The World Cup that changed everything
- Play 's new World Cup predictor game
- Which World Cup team are you? Take our quiz
