Last week, Team USA managed to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup, despite losing to Germany. Their next—and possibly last—game is Tuesday, July 1, as they take on Belgium at 4 PM, and Mayor Gray, the Downtown DC BID, DC United, and other city organizations are hosting a free watch party at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th streets, Northwest. The game will be shown on a large-screen projector, and Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly and Kelly Collis will serve as emcees for the “pre-game kickoff,” beginning at 3, according to a press release. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed—and probably a good idea, as Tuesday’s forecast is for a high of 96 and Freedom Plaza is mostly concrete. DC Water will provide water stations around the plaza during the game. Our suggestions if you feel like braving the heat: Get there way before 4, and don’t even think about trying to drive, as roads around the plaza will be closed during the game (Metro to Metro Center or Federal Triangle instead).
The Belgian Embassy, like Germany before it, is hosting its own watch party in the National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard, beginning at 4. The embassy tweeted an invitation to soccer fans on Monday afternoon; American and Belgian food and drinks will be for sale, and, perhaps most important, there’s air-conditioning. Again, driving is likely to be a pain; the nearest Metro stop is Gallery Place/Chinatown.