U.S. fans enjoy inexpensive World Cup energy at

Tickets to watch the U.S. dominate Paraguay 4-1 on Friday evening at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium value a fortune. But roughly 9 miles north, fans such as Jose Santiago and Ivan Gonzalez loved the match at a fraction of the price.

The pair each paid $10 for a ticket to watch the Stars and Stripes flourish in their first World Cup sport on home soil in 32 years on big screens at the packed Coliseum on Day 2 of the Los Angeles FIFA Fan Festival.

“We bought these tickets [at the] last minute, not knowing what to expect,” said Santiago, of Fullerton. “And so far, we’ve been blown away. We definitely want to come back.”

“It’s dope,” added Gonzalez, of Yorba Linda. “You feel it. You feel the game. You feel the atmosphere. It’s fun. Everyone’s into it right now.”

Food and drink choices. Pop-up tents that includes manufacturers such as Galaxy and LAFC. A uncommon on-field expertise at the home of USC soccer. And, of course, some good ‘ol collective effervescence.

“It makes you still feel like you’re a half of it,” Santiago said of his viewing expertise. “It still makes you feel like you’re at the stadium, because we’re all watching the game.”

The U.S. took care of business in its World Cup opener. Presumably, those who might afford the intimidating ticket and parking costs at SoFi Stadium thought-about the expertise worthwhile.

Santiago and Gonzalez, however, spoke for many who cherished their inexpensive evening at the Coliseum, in the City of Angels itself, during their nation’s assertion victory.

Several other attendees would agree — even those who aren’t backing the U.S.

Take Charlotte Cabeca, a 37-year-old from downtown L.A., is primarily rooting for Colombia — as nicely as “anybody from South America” — but was still grateful for the chance to watch the gorgeous sport with other fans at a cut price.

“It’s so fun,” Cabeca said with a snort, as “USA” chants rang in the background. “It’s a really kid-friendly and family-oriented [environment.] It’s not as hectic as I had anticipated.”

Cabeca said she’ll attend more fan occasions in L.A. throughout the event, as Friday marked “the closest we can get [and] that we can afford” in contrast to truly attending a World Cup match.

U.S. fans have fun during a watch occasion at the Coliseum as Americans beat Paraguay during the World Cup Friday.

(Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Perhaps more important, though, Cabeca appreciates the group engagement unfolding before her eyes.

“I love that the city is coming together,” Cabeca said. “I feel the unity. And even these fanfests, they bring us together. So even if we’re not at the game, it still brings all of us together as a country.

“It’s awesome. The traffic is not helpful, but other than that, it’s exciting. I really feel like everybody is for soccer right now, and that’s what we need right now to heal and be happy together.”

While Friday was a evening of smiles, chants and relative affordability, there stay fans who want FIFA and the U.S. would do more to make the World Cup more accessible, notably by making all the things, nicely, cheaper.

“Obviously, football is a very hard sport to monetize, because we don’t have the breaks like the NFL,” Kunal Mehrotra, a 25-year-old soccer fan from Koreatown, prefaced before saying, “Without the fans, it isn’t really a World Cup. So, it is disappointing from the U.S., and it’s not just the tickets. … It really shows that the U.S. is in it for the money and not at all for the football, which is disappointing.”

“It’s pretty ridiculous,” added Monica Unzueta, a Maywood resident and fan of Mexico and Spain. “But aye, at least FIFA’s holding some events. I mean, they should be free. But, I don’t know — that’s just FIFA.”

While they’d quite attend a World Cup sport live, as Mehrotra and Unzueta famous, that isn’t reasonable for most residents.

So, nights such as Friday at the Coliseum are the next-best factor.

A fan wears an American flag during a World Cup watch occasion at the Coliseum on Friday.

(Mario Tama / Getty Images)

And for fans such as Tyler David, a 24-year-old from Tampa, Fla., the journey to the home of the Trojans couldn’t have gone better.

“Beyond belief,” David said. “And it’s so cool to see everybody and the cultures colliding. Love it.”

Oh, and the USA’s big victory was splendid for fans too.

“Dude, absolutely magnificent,” David said, in disbelief of the U.S. main 3-0 after 45 minutes against Paraguay. “Christian Pulisic, [coach Mauricio] Pochettino, all the guys, [Timothy] Weah. They’re playing at the top of the charts right now. I love to see it on the home soil in L.A.

“It’s getting me fired up; the fan base, the environment, the atmosphere — through the freaking roof.”