By Michael J. Tittinger
Daily Press Staff Writer

CITYWIDE — As time ran out on the U.S. National team during their loss to Ghana in Thursday’s World Cup match, eliminating them from the global showcase that has captivated the world, so did the interest of most Americans who passively flirt with the sport every four years.

That doesn’t seem to be the case in Santa Monica, where nearly everybody seems to come from someplace else and finds a home away from home within the city’s eight square-mile patch of the world.

“I wish they held the World Cup every year, not just every four,” lamented Mike Rooney, a manager at the Britannia Pub, on the 300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. “It’s great for business.”

At 8 a.m. on Thursday, the sleepy Third Street Promenade was peppered with the occasional morning walker, the rustling homeless and restaurant workers cleaning their entrances. But inside the local watering holes, such as the Britannia or nearby Barney’s Beanery, the raucous crowds tilting back morning beers belied the serene setting just outside.

All around town, soccer fans new and old were out in droves Thursday morning before heading off to the workplace, cheering for the Americans, who suffered a 2-1 setback to Ghana that ended their tournament run. While the loss would likely sound a death knell for early morning bar business in other, less diverse cities, pub proprietors feel bad for the U.S. squad, but will still be open for business the next dawn a game is being played on the pitch.

“We’ve been open for all the games so far and don’t plan to change,” said Donal Tazey, a co-owner of Busby’s on the 3100 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, shortly before noon when Brazil and Japan were scheduled to match up. “We’re expecting about 300 people in the next 20 minutes.”

Tazey’s place has become an unofficial headquarters for fans of the Brazilian team, who were scheduled to play a few hours after the American squad fell. He said Busby’s was pulling out all the ethnic stops — food, a band and Samba dancers. Brazil beat Japan 4-1 on Thursday afternoon.

Tazey, who hails from Ireland, said Westside residents who were born in other countries expect to wake up early to watch games, but admits he has been surprised by the level of enthusiasm by Americans, not generally known for their passion for soccer, or that “other” kind of football.

Nevertheless, passion was on full display across the wakening city on Thursday.

“I didn’t wake up at six in the morning to watch the U.S. lose,” said 22-year-old Zach Daniels, as he drained a pint of beer outside Barney’s. Daniels was worked up enough that he had to stop and yell at the struggling U.S. National team. “What is that? These guys are killing me!”

Daniels said he has been playing soccer all of his life, and met many of the players on TV during his athletic career back in Mississippi.

“They’re standing back too much, not pressuring them (Ghana),” he explained. “Make them make a mistake already.”

Standing alongside Daniels was Chas Hollis, a 28-year-old freelance editor, who admitted he was somewhat new to the sport, but addicted all the same.

“It’s (the World Cup) just been all over the place. A lot of people are talking about it,” said Hollis, who moved to Santa Monica five years ago from Houston, Tex. “I’ve been watching two games a day, and I’ll still be watching if the U.S. loses.”

Hollis said he met up with friends at Barney’s at about 6:55 a.m., or five minutes before gametime. The place was packed, with a fair share of business types sipping coffee alongside the early morning imbibers.

Other businesses have found opportunity in the game’s sudden surgence. A T-shirt salesman who identified himself only as “Bill” was seated near the entrance with a suitcase full of eclectic T-shirts depicting such nations as England, Brazil and the U.S.

“When you get into the World Cup, you really see what places are like, in terms of crowds,” he said, after having moved Brazilian shirts earlier in the week at Zabumba, on Venice Boulevard, and English garb at the Cock N Bull on Lincoln Boulevard.

“The only problem is, with these morning games, people have to get to work ... quickly,” he said.

Outside of the Britannia, several disappointed U.S. soccer fans filed out following the frustrating loss, squinting in the bright sunlight and attempting to stand straight after a few morning brews.

One such fan, who identified himself as “John” because he had to leave for work, dragged on a cigarette, standing on Santa Monica Boulevard in dress shoes, suit pants and a U.S. soccer jersey.

“It’s a shame that the entire World Cup has been handed to the referees,” he vented, explaining that a bad call likely cost the Americans the game. “They (referees) had to stick their big noses into it. They took it upon themselves and decided they need recognition. It’s pathetic.”

Asked if he was fed up with soccer now that the Americans got bounced, John settled down a bit and smiled.

“I’ll be back at noon to watch Brazil.”