Heartbreak back home

photo Soccer fans react at Chatham Tap in Indianapolis, Sunday, July 17, 2011, after Japan stopped a penalty kick during the Women's Soccer World Cup final in Germany. Japan won on penalty kicks. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

A nail-biting crowd at Buffalo Wild Wings on Market Street alternately erupted in cheers or agonized moans Sunday as the U.S. women's soccer team battled Japan for the FIFA Women's World Cup title in Germany.

Chattanooga fans displayed every gradient of emotion during the roller coaster match, which went into extra time and a penalty kick shootout. But the final emotion was heartbreak as Japan sank its third penalty kick, winning the game.

"That's the thing about this sport," said supporter Joe Evans. "It's so much emotion. The players pour themselves out on the field, and as a fan you're with them all the way. It's draining."

Evans was cheering with the Chattahooligans, a grass-roots group of dedicated soccer fans who cheer on the Chattanooga Football Club. Several members also have joined up with the American Outlaws, a network of U.S. soccer supporters.

George Merriman has watched every game during this year's World Cup tournament.

"There have been some absolutely great games this year," he said. "But the two best teams have risen to the top. What a finish."

Besides supporting the local and national teams, the fans say they're on a mission to drum up support for the sport in the South. Chattahooligan and American Outlaws member Abby Gengozian said she's watched every women's World Cup game in 1991, when the U.S. beat China for the championship.

"I was 11, and I didn't even know we had a women's soccer team," she said. Since then, she's become an avid player and supporter.

"It's frustrating that not many people know just how good our women's team is," she said. "We've won the World Cup twice!"

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Watching with a group a few blocks away at Big River Grille, Owen Maclellan agreed.

"It's better than watching men's [soccer]. The men are more dramatic, making a scene if they don't like a call or if they get hurt. The women just plow ahead. They're beasts," he said.

One of just a handful of fans decked out in patriotic garb, Maclellan noted the support was far less passionate than what he's witnessed at games in Europe.

"You know it's game day there. People are marching up and down the street with banners. Today when we were walking here for the game, I was just looking around thinking, 'Did anybody else get the memo?'" he said.

Though there was little evidence outside of the big match, the crowd in Buffalo Wild Wings was standing room only. Nearly all of the restaurant's 60 televisions were tuned to the match, said manager Michael Lanza.

Lanza said the groups that come in to watch soccer games are usually younger, and very loyal to the sport.

"It's a fun group. They're very loud and rowdy," he said.

There were plenty of cheers, chants and air horn blasts with each goal and clutch save by goalkeeper Hope Solo.

But the rambunctious crowds fell quiet as the grueling series of penalty kicks began, and the fans quickly dispersed after Japan's winning goal.

Several of the Chattahooligans lingered behind, shaking their heads.

"They had so many chances," said Merriman. "At this level, you can't leave goals unscored. It was pretty tragic."

But if the U.S. had to lose, many fans agreed that they would be excited for Japan's title.

"I've been rooting for them the whole tournament," said Gengozian. "They've got this perseverance, this strength, this tenaciousness. They don't give up."

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