Hundreds of Argentinians root for team in Hollywood

Soccer fans on pins and needles at Kussifay Grill

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Hundreds of Argentinians were on pins and needles rooting for their team Saturday at Kussifay Grill in Hollywood.

Draped in flags, hats and face paint they watched the match intently both inside and out.

A large television on a box truck was getting a lot of attention as cars along Hollywood Boulevard slowed down to try and see a little bit of the match.

"We rent it for the Argentinian games and it is for the people," said Walter Lospenato, owner of Kussifay Grill. "It is something for the customers."

The focus was so intense on this knockout match Local 10's Todd Tongen had trouble interviewing the owner.

Meanwhile down the street, they had an unlikely alliance.

Micky Byrnes in Hollywood is an official U.S. soccer bar. If the U.S. were playing, the place would be wall-to-wall with people. You would not even be able to get in. Since the U.S. lost, though, there are just a few fans crying in their beer.

"We are mad at Belgium; this is a rival now," said Dominic Deminri, a U.S. soccer fan rooting for Argentina. "What Belgium did to us we want to have Argentina do to them."

Back at Kussifay, they could not mask their passion for their team.

"This is something I did on my free time. Just go ahead and represent my country in the World Cup and Argentina today will hopefully take it home," said Argentina fan Paul Jordan. "Iron man strong all day."