Nearly 2,000 people braved extreme heat to watch the United States defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the World Cup round of 32 at Bevo Caffe Lounge in St Louis on Wednesday. The event highlighted the unique position of the city's 70,000 Bosnian residents, the largest diaspora community outside the Balkan country.
Dual Loyalties and Celebration
Mersad Smajic, a real estate investor and owner of Bevo Caffe Lounge, said the match felt more like a celebration than a rivalry. "It's going to feel likely like a big celebration more than a rivalry," said Elvir Kafedžić, a Bosnian former professional soccer player and assistant coach for St Louis City 2, before the match. "Families will be split, jerseys will be mixed, but regardless of the result, there will be pride in seeing Bosnia compete at this stage of the World Cup, but also at the same time a huge appreciation for the US, the country that has become home."
Bosnian Community in St Louis
Most Bosnians in St Louis fled the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, which killed over 100,000 people, including a genocide of about 8,000 Muslim boys and men, and displaced over 2 million. They were allowed to emigrate to the US as refugees, with St Louis becoming a preferred destination due to jobs and inexpensive housing, according to Saint Louis University. Many settled in the Bevo Mill neighborhood, once a historic German area, now known as "Little Bosnia." The community has thrived, with restaurants like Balkan Treat Box earning a James Beard Award.
Soccer Passion
Kafedžić, who fled Bosnia in 1993 and never saw his father again after he was killed in the war, grew up playing soccer in the streets. "Some of the first presents that many kids in Bosnia get is the soccer ball," he said. He continued playing in St Louis, eventually for Lindenwood University and the St Louis Strikers. The city has a rich soccer history, with US men's team captain Tim Ream being a St Louis native. St Louis has been among the top 10 US cities for World Cup viewership this year.
Watch Party Experience
Smajic estimated the temperature on the packed patio at his restaurant reached about 130°F. "That was mesmerizing to me, that that many people came," he said, noting he sold thousands of sausages during the game. Most fans wore Bosnian jerseys, but cars in the parking lot displayed both US and Bosnian flags. Samira Nukic, 28, born to Bosnian parents in Germany and raised in St Louis, managed her high school's soccer teams and remains a big fan. She traveled to Los Angeles to see Bosnia lose 4-1 to Switzerland. "I definitely lost my voice just cheering for my team," she said. "Just carrying that Bosnian pride with me, being so proud of our little country in the World Cup, it was something unlike anything else."
Outcome and Future
The United States won 2-0 and will next play Belgium. "We are a little sad," Smajic said, "but we are happy that United States is going through, and we are going to beat Belgium on Monday."
