World Cup upset hits home

By Danielle Dreilinger, Globe Correspondent

In South Africa on July 2, the Brazilian football team struggled with its unpredicted defeat at the hands of Holland. Half a world away in Somerville, sharply dressed men in polo shirts and baseball hats drowned their sorrow in "chopp"-draft beer at the Paddock restaurant's Brazil Night.

Though the crowd seemed pretty thick in the wood-paneled bar with its horse-themed decor, "It's actually a little slow," said bartender Stephanie Nunes. Why? "I think everybody's just depressed that Brazil lost the World Cup."

"Everybody's sad. It's a loss," said Jay Silver. Of course some people stayed home, said his friend, Vanor Noguera, of Somerville, 39, who had watched the final heartbreak via streaming video on his work computer. "Are you crazy? It's like the worst thing ... I'm surprised there's a lot of people dancing."

In the other room, the band broke into what might have been a syncopated version of "What a Feelin'," the theme from "Flashdance." Ten or so couples bobbed and twirled; a bunch of guy friends stood without partners over to the side. One of them, Edison Santos of Somerville, 22, tried to explain the reason for the team's loss over the noise - something about the roster not turning out as planned.

Now that Brazil was out, he was done watching the World Cup. But he seemed distracted, not despairing. Was Santos still upset? "No. Just want to have fun," he said. Maybe all the true fans really did stay home: "We cannot win always, you know," said Noguera. "It's fine. It's fine," said Silver.

Or perhaps something other than chopp buoyed their spirits. Said Noguera, "2014 is going to be in Brazil and I don't think we're going to lose over there."

In the meantime, pro soccer could be coming nearby: According to the New England Revolution's official blog, the team is once again considering locating its new stadium in Somerville.