Orange balloon gives US World Cup camp a soaring symbol in Irvine

IRVINE, California, June 24 : Long before visitors reach the United States' World Cup base camp in Orange County, they can see the marker rising above Irvine's Great Park - a bright orange balloon stamped with the U.S. Soccer crest.

The tethered helium balloon, which climbs 400 feet (122 metres) into the air and is normally one of the park's signature attractions, has become an unlikely symbol of the Americans' stay in Southern California during the tournament.

With the home team based at Great Park, local officials worked with U.S. Soccer to transform the balloon into a visible welcome sign and a beacon that can be seen from miles away.

"When the team came here the question was how do we make them feel at home?" Steven Stewart, a park manager, told Reuters on the sidelines of the team's sun-soaked practice on Wednesday.

"In collaboration with the team, we got the logos for the crest and we said this is a no-brainer and put them on the balloon."

Stewart said the gesture was intended not only to greet the team but also to connect the surrounding community to the Americans' World Cup run. 

"We really want to make the team feel at home, make the community feel like they're supporting the team," he said. "It's been getting nothing but high praise."

The balloon, which takes passengers in its gondola from Thursday to Sunday for $10 per ride, has long been the park's most recognizable feature. But during the World Cup it has taken on a new role as a backdrop for broadcasters, fans and visiting television crews.

"People are coming out just to take pictures underneath it," Stewart said. 

"All the broadcasters are using the backdrop. I'm pretty sure I saw Elmo and Sesame Street out on the field the other day doing a shoot with it in the