STORY AND PHOTOS BY BEN CASILLA

For the first time in a long time, it truly felt like Americans knew what this World Cup meant. Even if it ended in disappointment. Even if it was just a taste. Even if, only for a bit, we got to know what it meant to be on the world stage.

And in Ketchum, more than ever, our small town responded. It started with small things. Lefty’s got unexpectedly rowdy when Mexico was playing. A surprising crowd always showed up for Argentina games. And, everywhere, the simple ask--who are you supporting?--started a conversation.

Identifying who one represents or where they are from are not always easy to divulge. But here in Sun Valley, we find ways, and the results can be bounteous.

A large crowd gathered at Ketchum Town Square for the U.S.-Belgium game.

We get along, we laugh, we talk. We find out why someone supports a particular team. It’s not always geography. It might be a certain player or coach, instead.

Determining what it all means in a town that’s so sports oriented, makes sense. We should care. This World Cup does feel different.

And it’s fun. Because no matter how much one doesn’t care, no matter how much one doesn’t know, it’s still fun to talk about. Even if the whole point is to heap scorn on these players for diving, for being weak, for being soft. You don’t go down without a fight. Diving? For a call? It’s Unconstitutional.

But that doesn’t seem to be the point. Everywhere, people are getting into it. The crowds have been popping. Everywhere you go, it seems to be one impromptu watch party, said Ketchum City Council Member Tripp Hutchinson, who suggested the live watch parties that the City of Ketchum set up these past couple of weeks at Ketchum Town Square and Ketchum’s Forest Service Park.

These were among those watching the game.

“This tournament is *** awesome,” he said, unable to hide his competitive spirit. “It hasn’t surprised me at all. The United States is truly the nation of every single nation. The great story out of Ketchum has been the Argentina crowd. Every time they play, there’s always a great gathering. And when Paraguay beat Turkey, there was a legitimate, impromptu celebration from the Paraguayans who work at Sun Valley.”

It seems like the season is in the air. I could almost call it fall. But that might just be from an American, who only played soccer in the fall and doesn’t remember the Academy days, growing up year-round in a facility, as they do in Europe.

When pressed on exactly what went wrong for the American men, there was only so much one could say.

“Obviously, you’ve got to feel for the Goalie. Felt like he had a tough game. Defense had a tough game in general. But it felt like we were always in chase mode. That it was never our game. That it felt like it was Belgium’s game that we tried to take from them.”

Grass scored high as a place from which to watch the game.

Or so said Chris, who provided play-by-play analysis after the match, sitting with his friends in Ketchum Town Square.

“I mean, if felt sad,” he added. “Felt like the country was rallying around it. We got beat from start to finish. Wasn’t our year, but we’ll be back.”

Most people really just seemed to want to enjoy it. And, with the United States team out, for many fans in Blaine County the pressure is off.

“I was very sad about Mexico losing,” said Remy. “Always sucks to see a host country go down. Cabo Verde, that was a bummer, but it was amazing seeing them make it as far as they did.”

“Watching Paraguay beat Germany has been my highlight,” he added. “Gotta root for the underdog.”

“I feel free,” said George, a friend of Remy’s. “Free to enjoy every  match from now on. I feel bad today, good tomorrow.”

It made sense. The sting was already starting to ease. France would play soon, and then Argentina. Norway would be up again, against England. Kane vs. Haaland. There was a lot to cheer for.

But perhaps, it was their friend Alec who said it best. He had very little clue about soccer, self-reportedly, but seemed to be having a very good time at the Ketchum watch party: “I’m not so into soccer, but it’s cool to see. Coming in from a small town, I didn’t know we’d see this. It speaks volumes about what we see from this tight, close-knit community.”

And, perhaps, from a sport and tournament that’s supposed to bring us together, this really is the saving grace. Because, otherwise, it was a breach of executive authority to get a red-card overturned for a player that made very little impact—at least to my eyes. And I just can’t dwell on that.

Regardless, and all jokes aside, it has surely been a great tournament. We’re only at the first half, and in the second, the true story unfolds. It’ll be played out in Lefty’s and Whiskey’s, Warfield and in Ketchum Town Square.

And your friends and neighbors will be watching. Because these people can surely think of no better place to watch it, then with Baldy in the background.