By Anthony Strait, OTSL Floor Director
In the sticky humidity that blanketed the Arena Fonta Nova, the United States men’s soccer team played 90 minutes on their heels. 90 minutes staving off a relentless attack from Belgium as they got off shot after shot. They had their chances as regulation time ran low, but Chris Wondolowski’s chance sailed high and wide a mere six yards away. The game went to extra time when the USA's bent but not broken defense and the goalkeeper who had been Superman up to that point finally surrendered the go-ahead goal. Belgium even added a second goal thanks to a timely substitute who sped past the much tired U.S. defense.
Much like the spirit of the nation these men represented in this World Cup, they gave it one last push. A goal scored by the youngest member of the team gave hope and then chance after chance made for a suspenseful finish. Alas however, the U.S. didn’t as much lose (as many could take from it) as they simply ran out of time. In the end, it was Belgium who escaped to live another day. What could you say about a valiant effort that left us as a country merely heartbroken over the What-If's of an amazing World Cup run? I have two words that we all can say collectively: "Thank You!"
Thank you to captain Clint Dempsey for waiting just seconds into the opening match to start this run with one of the quickest goals ever scored. Thank you for leading this young team through injury and leaving it all on the field. Thank you to John Brooks for the header that gave us our revenge over Ghana after they broke our hearts four years ago in South Africa. Thank you to Tim Howard for standing as firm as can be in goal. Howard’s amazing performance in defeat should not be lost as his 16 saves set a record that stood for half a century. He all but kept the United States in a game where they were dominated for much of the match. Thank you to Jermaine Jones for the beautiful strike - or as ESPN’s Ian Darke described it an “Absolute Cracker” - that pulled us even against Portugal. Dare I say thank you to Cristiano Ronaldo for giving the U.S. a much needed assist to advance to the round of sixteen. Thank you to Julian Green for giving us hope when all seemed lost with an amazing header. Thank you to coach Jurgen Klinsmann for his quirky motivational tactics and pushing a young team with little World Cup experience to their best in order to compete with the best.
There is much more to be thankful for as the USA's run come to a close. Thank you for the massive viewing parties as people of all shades of color and sizes gathered for each match. Thank you for the excitement and anticipation as we waited for the next match to show the world that we can compete on the grandest stage. Thank you for uniting a country too often divided by different views, different beliefs and the very hate that to this day continues to undermine the very change that made America as great as it can ever be. Thank you for laying the ground work to which can be built upon for years to come so that four years from now we will be back stronger and hungrier than ever.
Thank you for doing the unthinkable and escaping the “Group of Death”. Thank you for bringing us together with one chant. But most importantly, thank you for allowing us for a few weeks to believe. Cheers to the United States Men’s Soccer team! A great run and great effort, much like the country and colors they represented.
