The 39-year-old president of Philadelphia Soccer Club has just put his finger on what makes the sport an elusive one to catch around town. And it's never more scattered than during the World Cup.

"Certainly, with the international games, if you're a little bit Italian, you'll watch Italy with your Italian friends," says Sullivan. "The Portuguese and the Mexicans have house parties."

Not much help, though, if you're searching for a decent-size screen and can't wait for one of those private fiestas to spill out onto the street. Here are our top places to catch the major games in the run-up to the July 9 final, surrounded by a truly international crowd.

This year, Germany takes the role of the World Cup host nation—a mixed honor, to be sure. They have a chance to win the trophy on home turf, but then they have to grab their mops and clean up after the foreign fans and their badly rhyming chants have left. Show solidarity with the lederhosened hosts at Ludwig's, the city's only German bar, complete with booths draped in hops leaves and a bierkeller drinks list. Drafts of Spaten lager are just $3.95 throughout the tournament, and the bar staff is giving away a trip to Munich. Oh, and if it all falls apart for the U.S. team next week, tradition allows you to support the host team the rest of the way.

Go for the next Germany game against Ecuador, Tue., June 20, 9 a.m., Ludwig's Garten, 1315 Sansom St., 215-985-1525.

The perennial favorite place to watch European soccer, this pub will show all the Cup games, but it's most popular among expat English fans who flock in for their team's matches—and inevitably stumble out, four hours later, trolleyed. Newcastle Ale and Tetley Bitter are just two of the heady British brews on tap. Last World Cup, the pavement outside was the scene of an alleged throwdown between an English supporter and an enraged French fan handy with his fists—who turned out to be a one-time pastry chef at Le Bec-Fin.

Go for the next England game against Sweden, Tue., June 20, 2 p.m., The Dark Horse, 421 S. Second St., 215-928-9307.

Before you shrug, consider this: PSC, up in the Northeast, was the training ground for Bobby Convey, erstwhile player for D.C. United who transferred to a prominent U.K. club, Reading, and who'll return to the fold to play for the U.S. side this month. Sullivan, who coached and refereed during Convey's PSC training, has become frustrated with the fragmented soccer scene locally and has taken a bold step to appeal to World Cup soccer fans: "I just got DirecTV installed," he said with glee on the day the tournament started. Football fans are invited to watch games at the club as a direct way to bring in excited locals who might end up wanting to play. The bridge-building doesn't stop there: On the day before the World Cup final, the Major League Soccer-sponsored 4x4 tournament, "Futbolito," will bring teams of adults and kids out to compete. "Hispanic kids from down the block, Irish kids, they're all welcome," says Sullivan. And for the Cup matches, "You're welcome—as long as you don't hog the TV," he laughs. "Keep your head out the way."

Go for the next U.S. game against Italy, Sat., June 17, 2 p.m., Philadelphia Soccer Club, 10402 Decatur Rd.; Futbolito, Sat., July 8, register by July 5, team fee $150 ($120 youth), Agusta Fields, Red Lion and Decatur sts., 215-914-1100, ext. 3500.