RECIFE, Brazil — They heard about people back home watching during their lunch breaks, streaming on office computers or playing hooky with fellow fans. And then, as the bus pulled away from the hotel Thursday, the U.S. World Cup team
RECIFE, Brazil — They heard about people back home watching during their lunch breaks, streaming on office computers or playing hooky with fellow fans. And then, as the bus pulled away from the hotel Thursday, the U.S. World Cup team was struck with an unusual sight.
Hundreds, maybe thousands of fans in red, white and blue, walking for miles around stalled cars through nearly hip-high water along streets and highways, making their way to the stadium to cheer them on.
“That kind of passion to root us on is what really helps drive us,” defender Omar Gonzalez said. “Now we give them another game to go to.”
No dramatic late goals in this one. Not even a win. But despite a 1-0 loss to Germany, the United States was good enough to advance to the knockout stage of consecutive World Cups for the first time and good enough to hold onto the national attention that soccer has finally grabbed in America.
“I’m getting emails from people who work at companies where the executives have called a three-hour break and put on giant screens,” U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. “All of this … is pretty extraordinary, and that will build for the next few days.”
Thomas Mueller scored off a rebound in the 55th minute to give Germany first place in Group C with seven points, but the Americans held on to second when Portugal defeated Ghana 2-1 in a game played simultaneously in Brasilia.
Two minutes after Mueller’s goal, Asamoah Gyan tied the score, leaving the Black Stars one goal from tying the U.S. with four points and moving ahead on the second tiebreaker, goals scored. But then Cristiano Ronaldo put the Portuguese back ahead in the 80th, giving the Americans a little margin for error.
On the sideline, U.S. goalkeeper coach Chris Woods used his fingers to signal “2-1” to goalkeeper Tim Howard. But Howard was unsure which team was ahead.
“Then Woods gave the thumbs-up — in our favor,” Besler said.
Around the same time, the American fans behind the goal defended by Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer started cheering, having learned of Ronaldo’s goal from whatever electronic device they had brought along.
“Kind of calmed me down the last five minutes a little bit,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.
Portugal opened with a 4-0 loss to Germany and tied the U.S. 2-2 Sunday with a 95th-minute goal, so the U.S. had an even goal difference while the Portuguese were at minus three.
The Americans advance to a round-of-16 game Tuesday in Salvador against Belgium.
The U.S. started celebrating at the final whistle, 30 seconds before the other game ended. The script was similar to that of 2002, when the U.S. opened with a 3-2 win over Portugal, then tied South Korea 1-1 and lost to Poland 3-0. The Americans advanced 12 years ago because South Korea defeated the Portuguese on an 80th-minute goal.
Last weekend’s game was seen by 24.7 million viewers on ESPN and Univision, and with online viewers included it was the most-watched soccer match in American history. This game kicked off at noon EDT, and ESPN said it online streaming application set a record with 1.7 million concurrent users for all programs.
Across America, fans and athletes — the next generation of kids — are turning into avid soccer supporters. San Francisco pitcher Tim Lincecum wore a U.S. jersey Wednesday after his no-hitter against San Diego and Adam Wainwright had the American flag painted on his face when he went out to stretch with his St. Louis teammates last weekend. Actor Will Ferrell came to Recife for Thursday’s match.
“It translates into more fans, more casual fans, more kids that get turned onto the sport and may turn out to want to play,” Gulati said.
PORTUGAL 2, GHANA 1
BRASILIA, Brazil — Cristiano Ronaldo finally made his mark at the World Cup — but it came too late to spare Portugal an early exit from Brazil.
The world player of the year broke his scoring drought at the tournament with an 80th-minute winner against Ghana.
That result left the Portuguese level on four points with United States in Group G but with an inferior goal difference to the second-place Americans, who lost 1-0 to Germany in Recife. Ghana also was eliminated, finishing bottom of the group.
“We knew we had to score three goals and were depending on the result of the Germany game and we couldn’t do that,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo barely celebrated after slamming home his goal, giving Portugal its first win after a 4-0 loss to Germany and 2-2 draw with the U.S.
ALGERIA 1, RUSSIA 1
CURITIBA, Brazil — Algeria qualified for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, with Islam Slimani’s heading in an equalizer in the 60th minute to give his team enough competition points to reach the second round.
Algeria placed second in Group H behind Belgium with four points, meaning it will meet Germany in the Round of 16.
The victory prompted mass celebrations on the pitch among the players, and had coach Vahid Halilhodzic shaking his head with disbelief.
Russia, needing a win to advance, went on the attack from the start and dominated the first half with its intricate and swift passing movements through midfield. The Russians took the lead in the 6th minute when Alexander Kokorin powerfully headed in a left-foot cross from Dmitry Kombarov.
Slimani’s equalizer came after Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev failed to catch a swinging left-foot free kick from Yacine Brahimi.
BELGIUM 1, SOUTH KOREA 0
SAO PAULO — Reduced to 10 men for more than half the match, Belgium still edged South Korea to finish on top of Group H and eliminate the last Asian team from the World Cup.
With a late goal yet again, Belgium made the difference in the 78th minute when defender Jan Vertonghen followed up a shot from teenage striker Divock Origi and tapped in the rebound.
By wire sources
