STRIP DISTRICT, PITTSBURGH, PA. - For nearly 25 years, Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle Irish Pub, owned by an Irish immigrant, has hosted Brazilian watch parties at this historic bar in Pittsburgh’s Strip District neighborhood, a once grungy market district that’s been gentrifying.
Mullaney’s typically hosts Irish music nights and Steelers games, but for more than two decades has also been the place for Brazilians in Pittsburgh to watch the FIFA World Cup. Outside of their bar, they even fly a large Brazilian flag right next to the United States flag.
Over the past decade, the number of Brazilian immigrants in Pittsburgh has increased by 70%. Now nearly 2,000 Brazilian immigrants live in the city of Pittsburgh, with a population of 300,000, and nearly 10,000 live in the Greater Metro area, according to local activists.
However, despite Pittsburgh’s growing Brazilian population, the city lacks a Brazilian sports bar. So, in 2002, Brazilians in Pittsburgh started watching the World Cup at Mullaney`s, and after Brazil won the Cup that year, they continued the tradition.
On Monday afternoon at 1:30, Mullaney`s, which isn’t normally open on Mondays, came up with a special limited menu and opened its doors just so Brazilians could have a place to celebrate and dance as they watched the game.
“They’re very nice to us. They want us here, first of all,” says Leila Mandel, a Brazilian immigrant who is now an American citizen, and has lived in the US for more than 40 years.
However, she says that the crowds aren’t as big as they used to be in years past, due to fear of ICE raiding a party full of Brazilians.
“People are afraid of leaving home right now, they`re not coming, says Leila. “I would say 75% of the Brazilians are not coming to watch anywhere, they’re watching at home [because] they are afraid of going out. So, this is very small, but it feels like it’s the best thing that can happen”.
In the first half, Japan took the lead 1-0 against Brazil and many in the room were nervous. A few tables in the back remained unoccupied, and only a few folks sat around the bar on the other side of the room.
Then, at halftime, Dedé Cadidé, an economist and professional musician arrived with a few other samba players to brighten up the event. Cadidé moved to Pittsburgh from his native Bahia just a few years ago.
“They are going to win,” he reassures people as they wait for the second half. Then just six minutes into the second half, Brazil ties it up: 1 x 1. But for the next 40 minutes, its experienced players are stumbled repeatedly by Japan`s vigorous defenders. The game appears to be headed into extra time, and everyone is dreading the worst: the need for two additional 15 minutes of play, when anything can happen, since all players are in a state of exhaustion.
But at the 92nd minute of play, Brazil scores the final goal, which gives them the decisive victory. Everyone in the room embraces and hugs as they celebrate and dance, and blare horns and bang drums to cheer for the win.
“I was already thinking of what would happen at overtime. A goal at 92 minutes feels like a miracle! I could die [of joy] right now!”, says Leila. Her son, Eric, covers his head with the Brazilian flag, kneels down and touches his forehead to the floor, in gratitude for the happy ending.
Priscila Oliveira Sousa Gissin married a yinzer and immigrated here 20 years ago. She says that many feared showing up due to ICE, but Brazil’s win helped alleviate the pain that many in the Brazilian community are feeling.
“It feels so good to be united and excited, especially because we won,” says Priscila. “It is a little scary, a little scary for a lot of people. I know a lot of people who went back, but it feels good to know that the community is very strong and united.”
The post-victory party continues to rage as adults jump up and down with children waving Brazilian flags and screaming.
“It feels like family, you know. I go out of my mind, and I am not actually a very outgoing person, normally”, says Leila Mandel. “But at this time of the year, it’s like I know everybody, I can hug everybody, I can talk to anybody. It’s like it’s the best feeling, you know. It’s like the world is not as bad as I was thinking yesterday.”
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