IRVINE, California, June 24 (Reuters) - 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.