GORHAM, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Southern Maine Soccer Camp kicked off Monday at USM Gorham, and the 40 participating kids have already caught World Cup fever.
'We talk about the World Cup at every break,' said USM Gorham soccer coach Mike Keller. 'They're asking if they can wear their Jermaine Jones jerseys, and Clint Dempsey jerseys.'
Keller has been involved in the sport for decades and says he has watched the sport grow in popularity each time the World Cup comes along.
'I've seen it go to where nobody was really paying attention, to what happened yesterday,' he said.
According to Neilsen ratings, more than 18 million people tuned in to ESPN Sunday evening for the US vs. Portugal match, making it the most-watched non-football broadcast in the network's history.
Combined with Spanish-language viewers on Univision, an estimated 24.7 million people in the U.S. watched the thrilling game.
'Last night we were all watching and yelling,' said Ali Peterson, a soccer player at the USM Gorham camp.
She, and the other campers, will be gathered around the big screen at the ice arena on campus Thursday afternoon to watch the U.S. play Germany.
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Title : World Cup creates excitement for USM soccer camp
Description : GORHAM, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Southern Maine Soccer Camp kicked off Monday at USM Gorham, and the 40 participating kids have already caugh...