By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
The USMNT takes on Australia at 1 p.m. Friday in a Group D match that could send the Americans to the knockout rounds — and supporters in Rio Rancho don’t have to drive far to watch it happen.
Right in Rio Rancho, The BLOCK (7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE) will show the match on all screens starting at 1 p.m., making the city’s food hall the easiest spot to catch the game without leaving town. Across the river, Starr Brothers Brewing Co. (5700 San Antonio Dr. NE) is running its own watch party with eight TVs and a dollar from every beer sold going to local youth sports.
The City of Albuquerque and New Mexico United are hosting a free watch party at Mariposa Basin Park ahead of the 1 p.m. kickoff, part of their ongoing “Summer of Soccer” series. Bring lawn chairs and blankets; food trucks handle the rest.
Confirmed World Cup watch spots in the metro:
- The BLOCK, 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho — game on all screens starting at 1 p.m., food hall setting
- Starr Brothers Brewing Co., 5700 San Antonio Dr. NE — eight TVs, beer sales benefit youth sports
- Mariposa Basin Park, Albuquerque — free, City of Albuquerque/NM United, USA vs. Australia at 1 p.m.
- Hollow Spirits Distillery, downtown Albuquerque — custom cocktails inspired by each match, plus food and drink specials
- The Shop NM — watch parties for the full tournament, including daytime youth pick-up games
- Civic Plaza, Albuquerque — near-daily watch parties on a giant screen
- Rio Bravo Brewing Company — hosting watch parties for select matches
Worth a look:
- Craft Republic Bar & Grill, 4301 The Lane at 25 NE — tickets recommended; arrive 30 minutes early
- Steel Bender Brewyard, 8305 2nd St. NW, Los Ranchos — runs a “Pitches & Pints” series on select match days
- Legends Sportsbook at Santa Ana Star Casino, off NM 550 — a 35-foot LED video wall plus 13 additional screens
- O’Hare’s Grille & Pub, 4100 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho; Turtle Mountain Brewing Co. (905 36th Pl. SE and 7835 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE); Kaktus Brewing and Bosque Brewing North in Bernalillo — established local sports-viewing spots
Watch USA vs. Australia, Friday, June 19, 1 p.m. MDT (FOX, FOX One)
- Top pick: The BLOCK NM, 7500 Unser Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho — on all screens at kickoff
- Free: Mariposa Basin Park, Albuquerque (Summer of Soccer)
- Full Summer of Soccer schedule: cabq.gov