World-Cup Jersey Guy

For taxmen, it's April. For Iain McNee, it's June. But unlike tax time, the World Cup only happens every four years.

McNee owns the Onion Bag, an East Village storefront that sells soccer jerseys from around the world. Since opening in November 2000, he has had countless naysayers remind him of America's indifference to soccer. But today, some hours after South Korea shocked the soccer world by knocking Italy out of the competition, his biggest problem is meeting demand.

"'Sold Out' seems to be the name of the store for the moment," he laments in his Gallagher-brother accent. "I've got to get a bigger store."

Indeed, the Onion Bag is no bigger than a soccer goal, and McNee, who hails from near Manchester in England, is looking for a larger space. The store's name is a tribute to Irish announcer Tommy Smyth, who often celebrates a goal with a call of "He's put a bulge in the old onion bag!" "I could open a bagel shop called Bagels? or I can call it the Holy Bagel Sanctuary," says the affable 35-year-old. "People that like soccer here are quirky characters. They get it."

Jerseys representing various national and club teams sell for $50 to $90. McNee also stocks soccer pins, scarves, books and videos. Like Nevada Smith's a block west, the Onion Bag is a place soccer fans of New York, both expat and Yank, go to be with their own. McNee estimates his customers are divided into perfect thirds: Irish/English, Latino and American. On a weekday afternoon last week, a half-dozen customers paw the merchandise, watch a taped match on tv and, of course, talk footie. A Briton asks about obtaining a Mexico jersey and is told that more are due in shortly. He asks if he can reserve one with a credit card, and is told not to worry, just call back in a bit. Later, he sets a video marked England 5, Germany 1 on the counter. "I reckon England/Germany in the final," he says. McNee nods as he rings him up.

McNee and I cross 2nd Ave. and descend into the Thirsty Scholar, where the bartender knows his name and his pint. I ask McNee what possessed him to open a soccer store in the States.

"I live here and I like it here, and I like soccer," he explains as he sips a Stella Artois. "It was an opportunity to do something I enjoy, and nobody else was doing it."

He's right about that: just try buying a Manchester United shirt at Modell's, an Ireland jersey at Paragon or a Juventus at Cosby's. Given the American team's startling showing recently, this may change, but for the time being, McNee's the only (soccer) game in town.

A resident of Union City, NJ, McNee's not just a soccer fan, but a dedicated follower of the Jets, Nets and, to a lesser degree, Yankees. He holds season tickets to the Nets, attending games with his 11-month-old daughter Mariana, a Continental Airlines Arena fixture in her tiny Nets jersey.

While he had mixed feelings about the U.S. win over Mexico (his wife is Mexican), McNee is elated with the improbable American showing at World Cup 2002. It's not only because it's good for business?U.S. jerseys are his biggest seller now, and he says he would've sold triple the amount if only supply matched demand?it's also because he's been in the States since 1986, and genuinely likes America and its soccer team.

"I don't know if the general public knows how much the U.S. team has accomplished to get there," he says, before their quarterfinal showdown with Germany. "It's quite an achievement."

As for his Cup prediction, McNee's money is on Brazil. He only hopes more of their yellow jerseys arrive in time for the final.

The Onion Bag is open 12-8, Mon.-Sat. 299 E. 11th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 982-2095; [www.theonionbag.com](http://www.theonionbag.com).