Yesterday was a big game for the USA. They were playing against Ghana, a team that had beaten them and knocked them out of the last two World Cups. It was a chance for the USA to get their revenge.
At game time, we were driving back to our beach house, desperate to get there in time to see the kickoff. On the bus ride, we peeked in on bars and saw the national anthems being played. We had to hurry. As we pulled in, we rushed inside, turned on the tv, and we couldn’t believe what the score was. One minute in and Dempsey had already scored. We saw the replay and it was definitely one of the top ten of the World Cup. We cheered as the game went on, but watched Ghana have chance after chance. I felt terrible when Jozy Altidore, the USA’s best striker, pulled a hamstring early in the game and had to go off on a stretcher. Luckily, the US got to half-time with the same score line. 1-0.
The game was nerve-wracking. The US couldn’t keep possession and Ghana kept attacking. As the US started to possess the ball a little bit, gaining confidence that they could win, they started getting chances and stretching the Ghanaian back line. But then the tables turned and Ghana scored a goal to tie it. It was a late goal and we all went quiet. I thought: The US has to score a winner or we won’t get out of the group.
Then, four minutes later, John Brooks, a substitute center back for injured Matt Besler, scored a beautiful header on a corner kick from Graham Zusi. We exploded, jumping into the pool, yelling and screaming as the US celebrated on the pitch. All that was left was what we thought would be four minutes. But no, the officials added on five minutes of injury time. The longest five minutes of our lives. We were biting our nails as we hoped the US wouldn’t give up another goal. At final whistle, WE WENT WILD!
Two moments of brilliance in a 95 minute game against Ghana to win and get our revenge.