Mike Sorber World Cup Report

So close to advancing to the second round, but not there yet. It was a tough start, only 5 minutes in, when an errant US clearance landed at the feet of Nani. He calmly shot the ball in the roof of the net to put Portugal up 1-0. But the US did not sit back, rather they put in a good display of hard work, simple passing, creative thinking, and quality execution. The rest of the first half was a back and forth battle for control of the game.

After the break Portugal made a second sub with 45 minutes to play in the hot and humid weather in the Amazon of Brazil. In the 64th minute Jermaine Jones of the US scored on a rocket shot that bent around Ricardo Costa’s head and into the far corner to tie the score 1-1. Then in the 81st minute the US connected some nice passes that led to a through-ball down the right side. The cross into the middle deflected off of the center back’s toe as he slid on the ground. Michael Bradley found a good position to pick up the loose ball which led to a shot that bounced to Zusi. He put a perfect pass back across the goal to Clint Dempsey who was still onside because the original center back was so tired he could not get up fast enough. Clint made sure the ball hit off of his body and into the back of the net for a 2-1 advantage in the 81st minute. Now the US only needed to finish out the game to give themselves 6 points after 2 games and a guaranteed spot in the second round.

But the game will always keep you honest. And in a dramatic finish, the US was stripped of the ball at half field, which led to a pass out wide to Cristiano Ronaldo. A couple of touches down field and he spotted a streaking left winger at the back post. Cristiano, who had been relatively quiet the whole game, sent a perfect cross onto the head of Silvestre Varela, past goalie Tim Howard and into the back of the net. The clock said 94:34 as the ball crossed the line. The latest goal ever scored in World Cup history! This result leaves the door open for all 4 teams in the group. It will come down to the last game to decide which two teams will advance into the second round.

Like most of the games in this World Cup, the excitement of the game lasts for the full 90 plus minutes. The world has almost stopped to tune in and see what the beautiful game has to offer. The giants of soccer have not been able to do as they wish. And the non-traditional soccer nations have risen to the occasion to produce not only upsets, but entertaining soccer!