USA vs. Africa (Ghana)

Going into the game on Saturday the United States had their work cut out for them. They we not only playing Ghana but the entire African continent. This meant the fans from all nations came in droves to Rostenburg. The parking lot looked liked a Crayol Box, apparently as your nation moves on the fans costumes become more extravagant. There were men dress as professors in Ghanian colors as well as several hundred red, white, and blue outfits that only a mother would be proud of.

Getting in the taxi to the game we quickly realized American fans were drastically outnumbered. The Africans mocked Bill Clinton for coming in to the game in a helicopter and asked if we had tissues on had for the beating we were about to endure. In good conscience we decided not to fire back at the wasted fans, noting we were trapped in a taxi with them for at least another ten minutes. After de-boarding we heading into the stadium where chants of “Robbert Green Robbert Green, why cant we play a team, made up of Robbert Green.” O yes, all those english fan who thought “of course England will win the bracket” were at the pitch cheering on their good ‘ole pals the Americans.

Unlike the previous games were the American fans avoided drunkenness, they were all plastered. While in line for food, I was continually forced to count how much money each person actually had. Also seen were trays full of beer being chauffeured into the grand stand faster than France retreated after their loss to South Africa.

Finding my seat/standing place, I was amped and ready for a great game of football. Instead I watched a passionate team, Ghana, play a lackluster collection of players, USA. The crowd reflected reflected back similar attitudes, there was hardly any singing and chants ended after only a few seconds. However the Ghanian fans were absolutely wild! They were jumping up and down the entire game, blowing their annoying vuvuzelas and dancing. After the US leveling goal they were still cheering their team on, screaming at the referees and showing a passion unlike any other I have ever seen.

At the start of overtime the wind had been taken out sails the United States players and fans. After conceding a goal in the 93rd minute it was obvious the United States lacked the ambition to win the game. Several half chances invigorated the crowd but never gave it the energy as in past matches. When the ref blew the final whistle the Americans put their heads down as the Ghanians began to party!

The stadium was electrified by singing, dancing, and the playing of instruments(besides the vuvuzelas). People were crying, laughing, and hugging everyone in sight. Outside the stadium signs were already up congratulating the team on their victory. Car horns were blowing, fireworks sounded as the fans spread out over the small city.

Hoping in the taxi back to our car all I could see were long faces and tired eyes. The Americans had put a good fight but they were playing a team with an army of people behind them.