As the United States and Portugal went up and down the field, up and down on the scoreboard, the Ironbound went with them.
This section of Newark, the biggest Portuguese community outside of, well, Portugal, had World Cup fever with fans for both teams cheering, jeering, screaming for every play.
From the U.S. gifting Portuguese winger Nani a goal to fall behind just five minutes in, to rallying for a second-half lead that seemingly had the Americans winning Group G and clinching a berth in the Round of 16, to finally coughing up a heartbreaking equalizer in the 95th minute, just 30 seconds away from the knockout stages.
Roars could be heard up and down Ferry Street, probably as many of elation as agony. And when the pulsating 2-2 tie was over, fans wearing red, white and blue U.S. garb mingled — and drank — with garnet-clad Portuguese, happy their teams were still alive but heartbroken they had lost points they thought they had earned.
“Both teams were hungry, fighting for their World Cup lives and they stayed alive. It was a pretty even game,’’ said Paul Gaspar. “I was born in Portugal, but I came here at two. I was raised in the Ironbound, and lived here for 20 years. Soccer is in my blood. I have Portugal in my blood, but America in my [life]. I live here. I don’t want to see my home team lose, but I don’t want to see [the U.S.] lose.’’
Watching Portugal in the Ironbound is like watching Russia in Brighton Beach, or Greece in Astoria — except the stakes Sunday were so much higher.
When the sloppy U.S. defense gifted Nani his goal just five minutes in, the noise inside Catas was deafening. With beers and sangria flowing, the bar was split fairly evenly between U.S. supporters and garnet-clad Portugal fans — and in many cases, with the same people wearing both.
“I’m for Portugal, as long as they’re in it. If they lose, I’d have to root for the U.S. then. But as long as Portugal is in it, I’m Portugal all the way,’’ said Amanda, a young woman who jumped up, clapped and cheered when Geoff Cameron flubbed a clearance, DaMarcus Beasley lost Nani and the winger scored.
She was wearing a garnet Portugal shirt — but a red, white and blue bandana. “Well, I was born here, so I’ve got to represent a little.’’
She sat at a table with two other patrons wearing U.S. gear and two wearing Portugal gear. It was typical, another table on the patio featuring Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley jerseys, as well as those of Coentrao and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Oh, and one that actually had an Altidore jersey drawn over a Simao one, Mike, an Portuguese Ironbound native who is a member of U.S. supporter’s club American Outlaws. He’d predicted a tie beforehand, telling the Post he worried about the U.S. dealing with Portugal’s wingers; he was prescient.
“I told you it was going to be a draw. I told my dad 2-2,’’ said Mike. “That last play of her game, that shouldn’t have happened. The U.S. played well … It’s a tough game against Germany [Thursday] but they could still do it, absolutely.’’
Just a block down Ferry Street, in another Portuguese bar El Pastor, Rosa Freitas from Lyndhurst was rooting for Portugal.
“Straight Portugal, obviously,’’ said Freitas, who came to the U.S. from Portugal 20 years ago, but has no intention of switching soccer allegiances. “No shot. Portugal for life.’’
Catas went back and forth as the game did in the second half, goals by Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey giving the U.S. a lead that didn’t last.
“Euphoria,’’ said U.S. diehard Robert Morea of Sayreville, clad in a U.S. scarf and red, white and blue cat in the hat-style hat. “It was euphoria.’’
It didn’t last, but there’s always Thursday.