SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) - Hundreds of USA soccer fans gathered outside Moran's Pub on Milwaukee Avenue on Wednesday night for Team USA's Round of 32 match.

“It's a big deal for South Milwaukee, and right now we've never had this before, so it's super exciting,” Moran's owner James Moran said.

Across town in Glendale, former Team USA player Jay DeMerit was at the MFC Sports facility on Wednesday to talk to a group of young soccer players.

“The World Cup doesn't come from here to the World Cup. There's probably about 15 steps in between where they are right now and where they wanna go,” DeMerit said. “Be yourself to understand it's your journey and nobody else's.”

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DeMerit grew up playing soccer and other sports in Green Bay and played for Team USA in the 2010 World Cup.

“When I wear the stars and stripes, I'm not just representing my country. I'm representing Green Bay,” DeMerit said. “For me, the message to all those kids is I'm just a kid from Green Bay.”

DeMerit talked to the kids about his World Cup experience.

“It shows that every kid has a chance to make it to the World Cup, to the NBA, to MLS,” MFC owner Roy Henning said.