San Jose is about 9 miles northeast of Saratoga.
A large crowd gathered at PayPal Park on Friday night to watch the San Jose Earthquakes play Club Tijuana in an international friendly match. The Earthquakes lost the game 2-1, but spectators indicated that the result was secondary to the atmosphere surrounding the event.
Attendees attributed their heightened interest in the sport to the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Jacky Conner, a San Jose resident, stated that the family became season ticket holders the previous year and intensified their focus on soccer after the tournament began. Conner noted that the global event has expanded their interest beyond Major League Soccer to include other leagues.
Children in attendance also expressed inspiration from international stars. Eli Toribio, a visitor from San Francisco, mentioned Lionel Messi as a favorite player, citing the athlete's height and self-confidence as appealing traits.
Nathalie Toribio, also from San Francisco, described how the tournament has integrated soccer into daily routines. She observed the sport playing in hotel lobbies and noted the prevalence of team merchandise in the Bay Area. Ezequiel Zarate of Gilroy added that victories by the Mexican national team bring him personal joy.
Earthquakes officials reported a significant rise in interest in both the sport and the team during the World Cup. Chief Operating Officer Jed Mettee said the club has hosted numerous watch parties that have introduced new supporters to the organization. He noted strong demand for tickets to upcoming regular-season games scheduled for late July.