The Gothia Cup is the biggest youth soccer tournament in the world, this year attracting teams from 61 different countries with more than 1,000 teams in the week-long event. Since 1992, VBR Star has taken the trip to Europe.

Salem's Kiwanis Park became the site of a Women's World Cup watch party Sunday morning. Roanoke-based soccer club VBR Star erected a big screen where home plate stands so the crowd could watch the United States women's soccer team defeat the Netherlands 2-0. It's the sport of the world," VBR Star Executive Director Danny Beamer said. "All my friends play lacrosse, and they would always say, 'Why do you play the weird sport, soccer?'" "Every time the World Cups are here, the popularity just builds and builds and builds," Beamer said.