Why Were Snipers Watching a Dortmund-Ulsan Match? The U.S. Vice President Showed Up

[OSENWORLD] The FIFA Club World Cup match between Borussia Dortmund and Ulsan HD took an unexpected turn on Wednesday—not on the field, but in the stands.

According to the UK’s Daily Mail, three armed Secret Service snipers were spotted stationed on the roof of TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, their eyes scanning the sparse crowd below.

The reason? U.S. Vice President JD Vance was in attendance, watching the game from a VIP box with his wife, Usha, and close friends.

The heightened security presence turned the friendly match into a moment of political gravity, as Vance’s appearance came amid growing fears of Iranian sleeper cells on American soil. The stark image of rooftop agents with rifles aimed toward the stands underlined the current state of alert gripping the nation’s security apparatus.

The match itself ended 1-0 in favor of Dortmund, thanks to a goal by Daniel Svensson. Jobe Bellingham also featured in the German club’s lineup, but it was the off-field tension that dominated headlines.

Vance’s visit came just after a Tuesday night fundraiser in Lima, Ohio, where he praised President Trump’s handling of the ongoing Israel-Iran crisis. Over the weekend, Trump ordered precision airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, signaling U.S. support for Israel in its efforts to limit Tehran’s nuclear program.

Officials revealed that both Iran and Israel reached out to Trump “almost simultaneously” seeking to halt the cycle of missile strikes. In response, Trump and Vance, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, are working with Qatari intermediaries to negotiate a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, U.S. domestic security concerns escalated following the arrest of 11 Iranian nationals by ICE. Among those detained were a former IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) member suspected of ties to Hezbollah, an ex-Iranian army sniper, and a person flagged on a federal terror watchlist.

A leaked memo from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) warned that the threat of sleeper cells or lone actors—acting in support of Tehran—has reached its highest level in years. While no credible threats have been confirmed, security officials remain on high alert.

In this climate, even a soccer match has become a potential stage for geopolitical tension—and for a few hours in Cincinnati, the world of sport collided with the world of security and diplomacy. 

/k_inside@osen.co.k