Students at Wichita State have been gathering to watch the World Cup in droves. The overachieving U.S. men’s team has sparked the sudden interest in students as they advanced to the round of 16.

WSU junior Zion Daniel has had several watch parties at her apartment. She is a former soccer player and loves the excitement everyone on campus has for the U.S. team.

“I think the hype is tremendous. So many people don’t know much about soccer, if anything,” she said. “The fact that it’s growing is amazing. The respect the men and the sport is finally showing and if that means more fans, and non-soccer-lovers watching the world Cup, then I’m all for it.

“As a former player it’s a beautiful thing to see the culture grow. Soccer brings out the strength in players and the pride of their countries. The World Cup brings fans together from all over,” she said.

Daniel said she’s had more than 12 people watch at her apartment and everyone provides food and refreshments as they cheer for the U.S.

Senior Nevena Djurdjevic hasn’t been fortunate enough to attend any watch parties because of her obligations at work. But she said she hasn’t missed a game because her co-workers all are soccer fans, so they watch it at work.

“I have never played soccer, but I’ve always been interested in it. I love the World Cup and the European League,” Djurdjevic said. “Unfortunately, I don’t follow the U.S. leagues because there has not been any interest in the state like there is for basketball and American football.

“Nonetheless, I am glad that soccer has finally caught people’s interest, but to be honest I think it will go away once the World Cup is over. I think the fact that America has made it far in the tournament is the reason people have been watching all over the states. No one gave them much of a chance and they proved most people wrong. They showed they want to be there and that they have a lot of heart,” she said.

Djurdjevic said she’s been cheering for the U.S. team throughout the tournament and did the same when they played Belgium Tuesday.

Senior Juan Corrasco organized several parties at his home. He’s been watching the games with friends and visiting local sports bars when he wants a change of scenery.

Corrasco is a long-time fan of soccer and has been following the U.S. team all year.

“I feel like the head coach has given the team a new identity, which is toughness. That has allowed them to progress over the last two years,” Corrasco said. “I think that for one month the sport definitely unites different nationalities for friendly competition and bragging rights.

“In the U.S. only true soccer fans are following the entire season, whereas in other countries every team has their entire country into what’s going on,” he said.

After the World Cup in 1950 the U.S. men’s team didn’t qualify for the next 40 years. They hosted the final in ’94 and reached the finals in 2009.

Germany defeated the U.S. in the quarterfinals in 2002.

The U.S. is ranked 13th in the world and have made appearances in the last seven World Cups.