Philadelphia's most famous staircase turned into a sea of yellow, blue and red on Saturday, as thousands of Ecuadorian supporters packed the Philadelphia Museum of Art's “Rocky” steps. Fans chanted, blew horns and rang cowbells, the noise spilling down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway less than 24 hours before Ecuador meets Côte d'Ivoire at Lincoln Financial Field in Group E play.
The mood was equal parts party and pilgrimage. Some supporters clutched phones flashing the Spanish phrase "Busco Entrada" as they hunted for last-minute tickets. "Real emotional, I think I'm going to cry tomorrow," Carla Arcos told CBS Philadelphia. Fellow fan Franklin Guzman added, "Somos de Ecuador y estamos apoyando a nuestra selección," telling the outlet they were there to back their national team all the way.
Rocky Steps Turn Into A Banderazo
Shortly after the national team arrived in Center City, supporters took their celebration on the move, marching along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and charging up the museum steps. Once there, they unfurled a jumbo Ecuador flag and recreated the city's famous movie-scene energy, as reported by Yahoo Sports. The spectacle fit right in with exuberant fan gatherings that have popped up across other U.S. host cities over the match weekend.
Match Night And Fan Programming
Ecuador and Côte d'Ivoire are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, according to official ticket listings. Ticketmaster lists Match 9 as Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador at the Linc, and the city is also hosting a free FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill with giant screens and cultural programming, per DiscoverPHL.
Plenty of out-of-towners slipped some sightseeing into their soccer itinerary, posing at the Liberty Bell and strolling Independence Mall before game time. Paul Paginini, who told CBS Philadelphia he traveled from Côte d'Ivoire for the match, praised the passion on both sides and said he was expecting a close contest under the lights at the Linc.
