World Cup Fans Fill Hennessey's Tavern

With beer freely flowing and national pride on display, the World Cup kicked off this weekend and residents of Redondo Beach got in on the action Saturday morning. Hennessey's Tavern in Riviera Village was filled to capacity with fans of England and the U.S. vigorously enjoying a match that ended in a 1-1 tie.

"I've been in the bar business for about 20 years now," said Dave Ramirez, the manager of the Tavern, "and I've seen over the years that the interest the American public generates for the World Cup has been going up and up and up."

Due to the large British population in Redondo, the tavern was equally split between those cheering on the Three Lions and those representing the Yanks. And despite the fact that England invented the sport of football (soccer), confidence in the favored team was not as high as one might expect.

"I'm nervous as hell," said Antony Pitt, a Redondo Beach resident who is from England. "But I know we'll get to the semifinals at least."

Whether you're rooting for Wayne Rooney or Landon Donovan, both players' teams will be in action again Friday with England facing Algeria and the U.S. taking on Slovenia.