Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar-Flickr
Arena de Amazonia – The cheers of the American fans rocked the stadium as a perfectly timed header by John Brooks essentially locked in a win for the United States of America. Alas, this goal would become nothing more than a fond memory. Instead of closing out the game on top, the USA ended up on the other end of a last minute goal from Portugal. In a game which lived up to its hype, with insurmountable drama and a sliver of hope mixed in, the US couldn’t beat Portugal, a weakened team that should have been ripe for the picking. The match was just 5 seconds too long.
Early into the match, the US found themselves down 1-0 due to a goal in the 5th minute by Portugal’s winger Nani. However, the rest of the match appeared to be controlled by almost entirely by the US, allowing many opportunities for new heroes to emerge. Like Jermaine Jones whose rifle of a kick from the top of the box in the 63rd minute let the world know Lionel Messi wasn’t the only player with a vicious shot. And the US’s goal keepers who made two gorgeous saves during the game. Sadly, time and time again it was the US’s defense that represented a glaring deficiency for the otherwise talented team. Yet, the comeback was complete in the 81st minute with a great curling pass by Graham Zusi that was redirected by a focused Clint Dempsey who used his torso for the extra touch. Jubilation ensued! The US was finally leaving its mark at the hands of Jürgen Klinsmann, previous coach of Team Germany. No longer were these Americans to be viewed as an easy win. No longer were these Americans the butt of all soccer jokes. The US had arrived and they obviously feared no one! Unfortunately, a little fear might have prevented a late score by Silvestre Varela; the last-ditch equalizer for Portugal responsible for ripping the win out of the US’s hands and forcing them accept a Draw in place of a Win.
This game called soccer in America, futbol everywhere else, can be a cruel yet forgiving game at times. In the match against Ghana the US found themselves badly outplayed after only the first ten minutes, but through sheer will and determination the US gutted the win out. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win. Now the smell of desperation was hovering over Team Portugal as they fought play another day. Cristiano Ronaldo, the reigning Ballon d’Or, would be outshined by Messi, regardless of the swirling rumors on his fitness levels and his team’s lack of weapons. In one of the most picture perfect passes to date, Ronaldo sent a well-timed lob to Varela that culminated in a nasty header. With such precision, Ronaldo’s pass might as well have had GPS on it with a destination set for Draw-Ville, Brazil. Five seconds later the game was over and Portugal had earned a point. A bitter taste was left in the mouths of the Americans who just needed a win to secure their World Cup position. The US left everything on the pitch, but their one BIG point short of where they need to be. Without the win, the US is tied with Germany for points in the group.
Don’t lose hope America! All is not lost! These feisty American soccer players just never got the memo that this was supposed to be a quick appearance in Brazil. As long as the US ties or beats Germany in the next match, they are in. If that should fail, a Portugal-Ghana draw would also be sufficient to earn them an opportunity to play for the World Cup. Both the US and Germany sit at four points, while those other two teams sit at one apiece. And if there is anything we have learned from these two past two matches, its that the US Will Not Go Quietly. They are playing with the swagger of a team just realizing they can beat anyone on any given pitch, all we have to do is believe and keep on believing until the very end. 89 minutes 55 seconds just won’t cut it. So sing it with me America…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uEpcfonkt4
Luis Valdes is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow him on Facebook.
