Last Monday, I sat in my apartment, beer in hand, waiting for the U.S. team to make their appearance in the 2014 World Cup.  They are ranked #13 - which is pretty damn good considering there are 32 teams overall. By this point, I had watched 4 days of soccer, sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the USA vs GHA game.

 

It was midnight and not a single bone in my body was feeling tired.  I was fired up, ready to cheer, feeling the excitement of watching an important sporting event.  Not even two minutes later, before I had completely settled into the couch, the word “GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL” came blaring out of TV.  I could barely believe my eyes but my instinctive reaction was to throw my arms in the air and scream out the words, “Yes, yes, yes!!”

 

Although the next 70 or so minutes were filled with injuries and no other goals, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the screen.  I was (and still am) in awe of the USA team - their tenacity was admirable as they kept fighting and pushing on.  Their foot skills were phenomenal and the way they attacked the ball was brilliant.  I gained heaps of respect for these players - especially Dempsey who received a foot to the face, resulting in a broken nose.  The last 10 minutes of the game were nail biting but in the end, the US eventually pulled through, beating Ghana 2-1.  

 

The next game is against Portugal on Saturday at 3pm (west coast time), which I can hardly wait for.  So those of you who live in Coronado and know the significance of the 4th of July, there’s not a better time to support your country.  I love how the World Cup happens to fall around Independence Day, helping remind Americans how important our country is as well as the importance of the tournament.  So, let’s go USA….all the way!

 

*ablogmonger