Ahead of coming to the city to watch the Women's World Cup, Liz Hufford and Mindy Mulvihill were given a less-than-glowing impression of Winnipeg.

All it took to change their mind, however, was to actually see the city.

"We didn't hear great reviews about the city in general -- like 'the Detroit of Canada' -- but honestly I think it's proven that wrong," Mulvihill, in from Orlando, said.

The two are among thousands of American tourists in town cheering on the U.S. team and many, like Rita and George Cheney from Indianapolis, are speaking glowingly of Winnipeg's friendly reputation.

"Everybody's been really helpful, really friendly. A little bit of a feel like the midwest, a big city with a small-town feel," Rita said.

The Cheneys are here watching their daughter Lauren Holiday, who's married to NBA star Jrue Holiday, and decided when Holiday was named to the American roster they'd make the trip north.

"People have been gracious. Fantastic people, very accommodating," George Cheney said. "People have stopped us on the street trying to make us feel welcome. They've been fantastic."

Monica Kolb and her mother Tina are staying in town with family and it's Monica's first visit to Winnipeg.

"Winnipeg's beautiful," the University of Central Florida student said. "The weather's been perfect and everyone's been really friendly.

"And we've seen U.S. Soccer people everywhere, so that's been cool."

Katie Wilson and her Trine University soccer team made the trip from Angola, Ind., and the freshman said she'd come back.

"Honestly it looks cool enough that I would come here even if the World Cup wasn't here," Wilson said. "I would actually like to just spend time downtown."

Wilson's teammate Maddy Vorrath said she felt the impact of the World Cup as soon as she arrived at the airport.

"It definitely hit you that you were at the World Cup because it had 'Welcome to Winnipeg, World Cup 2015,'" said Vorrath, whose teammate Kristina Veljovic echoed the friendly vibe they received. "Definitely you can tell that something big's going on here."

And if there's any thought Winnipeg doesn't provide enough in attraction for visitors, Hufford said that isn't the case for her.

"Being from Orlando, we're used to that where everything is spectacular," she said. "There's just so much to do, the people are great and we've had nothing put positive experiences.

"It depends on the person and what you want to do. We have found so many things that we'll probably miss out on doing just because we didn't stay long enough."

'Not enough splash'

Pressed to find flaws with Winnipeg, fans say there could have been more promotion

American tourists in town for the FIFA Women's World Cup were hesitant to say anything negative about a city that has, by their own account, welcomed them with open arms.

When pressed to assess Winnipeg as a host city, a few will acknowledge a bit more could have been done.

Rita and George Cheney say at past World Cups they've attended, a central venue for fans to gather on off days, or where fans who don't get to the games can watch, was popular.

"No, there's not enough splash," Rita Cheney said. "It seems like the people of Winnipeg know what's going on and they're aware of it ... and they're all excited, but I think there could be a little bit more push around it."

Calvin Rollyson of Cincinnati said Winnipeg was smaller than he expected, but said the event seems "pretty non-promoted."

"You see a few displays along some storefronts, but that's pretty much it," he said.

"The stadium's beautiful. Very impressed with it and doesn't look like a bad view at all no matter where you sit."

Lauren Foster made the drive from Richmond, Va., and also commended the venue.

"The stadium is great and seems really well suited to host the games," she said.

Joseline Sifuentes, Liza Moreno and Jessica Trujillo are soccer teammates at Elgin (Illinois) Community College and said staying downtown means you're a long distance from the games. Sifuentes likened Winnipeg to a city that it used to be compared to.

"It honestly reminds me of Chicago and feels like we're in Chicago," she said. "The city feeling -- and the wind. I like it."

Tina Kolb brought her daughter Monica up from Florida and joked they've gotten lost a few times because of street signs.

"The street signs are a little confusing or absent. Names of the streets have been a bit difficult to find," Kolb said. "A lot of the main intersections don't seem to have very visible street signs, so it's been a little tricky finding our way."

For Liz Hufford and Mindy Mulvihill "the only negative thing" they've encountered was exceedingly long lineups for official gear at the store located inside Winnipeg Stadium.

david.larkins@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @LarkinsWSun