The World Cup fans who showed up to Magical Meat Boutique on Friday night to watch Team USA beat Paraguay 4-1 came dressed, loud and ready.

An early own goal by Damían Bobadilla of Paraguay got the crowd on their feet and the energy rarely settled after that.

Many were dressed in USA gear and the youngest fan slept in a carrier for the match. It was families together for the beginning of a long tournament that will culminate July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

For owner Phil Barnard, a Brit who opened the Mount Dora pub with his American wife Kate, the FIFA World Cup has turned Magical Meat Boutique into exactly what he hoped — a central hub for soccer fans across the Leesburg, Eustis and Tavares area.

“It’s actually very exciting,” Phil says. “We have a huge British contingent and of course our Americans. We put up two extra screens and we’re expecting to be a central hub for football.”

The new location is helping. More parking, more room and a patio that spills outside when the crowd demands it.

Beverly Wieland, with her husband Mickey, drove from Umatilla and arrived ready after having called ahead for a spot by the screen.

Beverly and her group were at the last World Cup final at the same pub.

“It always gives me chills to hear the anthem,” Beverly says. “Not just for our country but for all the countries because when the players are singing, you can tell they have worked so hard to get there.”

Colin Jenkins moved to the area in 1990 moved to the area in 1990 and says the pub fills a real need. A British ex-pat and U.S. citizen, he has a rooting interest in both teams and admits choosing sides gets complicated when they play each other.

“We needed a headquarters in the Leesburg, Eustis and Tavares area for the USA and to watch with like-minimum people,” Colin says. “As the tournament moves on we have our underdogs and our teams and watching them through to the final — there is nothing more exciting.”

Phil is already planning food specials built around whichever nations are playing that day. On June 17, England plays their first match and Phil is expecting a crowd.

“As the teams progress, we take their cuisine and do specials,” Phil says. “There is nothing more exciting.”