UBS Arena throws grand watch party in USA's World Cup win over Australia

As the United States completed its 2-0 World Cup win on Friday at Lumen Field in Seattle, the party was on at UBS Arena in Elmont.

UBS Arena blasted “Ho Hey” by the Lumineers. Fans waved their USA flags. Kids celebrated by dancing to the music.

It was the exact scene UBS Arena watch party organizers hoped to see.

Between hosting watch parties for Team USA and Brazil versus Haiti later on Friday, Mark Shulman, the executive vice president of programming for UBS Arena and Oak View Group, said he expected to host about 18,000 people in the arena.

“The [World Cup] finals alone are larger than 13 Super Bowls combined,” said Dan Gross, the executive director for New York State Special Events. “And the question is, why do you need to just have a ticket to experience it? You don’t, and we’ve proven that point, and we’re very proud of that.”

In the 11th minute, fans seated throughout the lower bowl and suite levels rose to their feet and cheered as Australia’s Cameron Burgess committed an own goal. Throughout the arena, “GOAL!” blasted on the Jumbotron and video boards while fans broke into chants of “USA! USA! USA!”

“It’s amazing because you want to be part of the experience,” said Eddie Rosbigliosi of Queens, who brought his son and grandson to the watch party. “And having it here, and amongst like-minded people, it’s great.”

Gross said having the watch party was part of an initiative to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to World Cup games.

It wasn’t all about watching the action on the screens, though. Shulman said UBS Arena teamed with NYCFC to run soccer clinics on the arena’s floor — a blue carpet with nine mini soccer goals that was available for kids throughout the games. There also were interactive activities for fans to win merchandise.

“That’s how we make lifelong sports fans,” Shulman said.

Mike Gries, 43, of Brooklyn, brought his son Sebastian to UBS Arena for the U.S. game. Gries said he wanted to experience fans getting together for the game and join others cheering for Team USA.

“World Cups happen only every four years. [I want to] get Sebastian] into it, get him the passion,” Gries said. “And hopefully the team makes their way east and we can see them live.”

Team USA, whose three group stage games are on the West Coast, secured a spot in the World Cup knockout round with Friday’s win, improving to 2-0 in the tournament.

MetLife Stadium, renamed New York New Jersey Stadium by FIFA during the World Cup, is hosting games during the knockout stage, the Round of 16 and the World Cup final.

But even if Team USA doesn’t end up playing on the East Coast, watch parties have provided a great way for fans to unite during games.

Said Daniel McNally, 41, of Shoreham, who also brought his family to UBS Arena for Friday’s watch party: “For the country to get together, it’s very important, and all support the USA.”