The Bay Area Host Committee's free watch party outside Chase Center drew roughly 2,500 fans Friday night for USA's 4-1 win over Paraguay in the World Cup opener. The Thrive City Fan Zone is free and stays open through the final on July 19.

The official Bay Area Host Committee watch party at Thrive City Plaza — the open-air esplanade outside Chase Center in Mission Bay — drew roughly 2,500 people Friday night for the USA Men's National Team's World Cup opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles. USA won 4-1, and every goal echoed across the packed plaza.

The night started with a fan march to the venue led by Leslie Osborne, former U.S. Women's National Team player and Bay FC co-founder. "Goosebumps," she told NBC Bay Area. "Absolutely amazing — the parade was amazing, and to walk up into this atmosphere, it was electric." The crowd ran all ages and nationalities — jerseys from Brazil, Switzerland, Ireland, and England mixed in with the USA majority — but the home-country fans had no trouble finding their people.

The World Cup feels particularly charged locally: the U.S. hasn't hosted since 1994, and Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara is hosting six matches, putting the actual tournament within striking distance for Bay Area fans. Joel Fossourier, who attended the '94 World Cup, brought his son Friday night for that same sense of continuity.

Thrive City Fan Zone: 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco. Free, no ticket required. The venue is an official Host Committee watch party hub running through July 19 — not just for USA matches. Pier 39 and China Basin Park at Mission Rock are also running free official fan zones in SF throughout the tournament.

The practical note: Thrive City fills fast for USMNT kickoffs. For a less-crowded option during group stage matches, China Basin Park at Mission Rock is worth a look.