The double-decker bus, which has led similar marches through locales around the world for 22 years and five FIFA World Cups, has grown into a symbol of Dutch pride, and on Thursday, it’s winding journey across the globe had led to the Heart of America.
Chants, dances and delirium ensued along the way, and while a steady rain later persisted over the course of the match at Kansas City Stadium, the raucous energy that kindled downtown refused to be quenched late into the evening.
“It’s nice to see the orange shirts,” said Netherlands Manager Ronald Koeman. “The Dutch wear that, and that’s well and good, but when you see so many orange shirts, perhaps there are some people who don’t know all that much about Dutch football and the songs being sung, but they go along and play along, [which is great to see].”