US=wow. and No Van Halen.

Live by the Sword, Tie by the Sword.
Holy moly, that was exciting.  After some historic last minute wins by the US over the last decade, it was only a matter of time before something circled around to bite us back.  But for that to come in the 95 minute???  AAAAGH! oy!

it's ok.  breathe in, breathe out.  It's ok, really. I'll tell ya why in just a sec.

You wanted drama, you got drama. Clearly starting out on the wrong foot, nerves got the to US Defense when an errant clearance magically put the ball at the foot of Portugal's Nani, who blasted it home from 4 yards out. After our boys regrouped they took to the offensive.  Using 'the best defense is a good offense' tactic in keeping the ball from the Diva that is Ronaldo, the US took control with shot of after shot, testing their defense.  We all sensed it was only a matter of time. The only thing that slowed us down was the first Water Break in the World Cup.  In extreme weather conditions, such as the heat and humidity in the city of Manaus deep in the Amazon, the referee has discretion call a break.
The only thing that was missing was Mom bringing Orange Slices in a ziploc bag.
Not long after halftime, Jermaine Jones blasted one of the best goals of the tournament. boom. back in it. 20 minutes of nail biting minutes later, the mettle of the Yanks came through. After a scrum in the box, Graham Zusi sent the ball into the goal mouth where Clint Dempsey deflected it in...with his belly button.  It takes a gritty veteran to know when to make it pretty and when to just get the fricken ball across the line. eruption in the ESPN IBC and over intercom!  "Take that you MFers!" was overheard in the control room.

For Ten minutes, we had it all. Just like Bogey and Bacall (singing with me?) Ten minutes. wow, we are going to win. we are going through. just hold on. Coach Klinsman and his boys did all the right things, that is, until the very end. Sure to bring conspiracy theorists to forefront, the stoppage time sign originally said 4 minutes, then switched to 5. Late in the 95th minute, the last possible

time for the chance of anything to happen, our dudes got tired. Portugal capitalized. Pretty boy Ronaldo was held in check ALL day, until now. He had one chance to shine and he did. taking advantage of an exhausted US defense, his laser guided 40 yard cross hit Varela on the top of the head. (keep your eyes open kids! remember?) It wasn't so much that Varela made a great header, he was merely the reflecting point that Ronaldo planned on using to get the ball past former teammate Tim Howard. Game over, 2-2. whoa. are you kidding me????  what the? how the? who the?  oh. geez. I'm spent.


All is not lost- this sets up for bigger drama on Thursday. US vs Germany, both atop Group G with 4 points. Ghana and Portugal have 1 each. US can advance with a win or tie. If they lose, they can still get in, based on the Ghana/Portugal game and tie-breakers.  So, basically. I't wide open. again.




Take away:
The US is improving with every game. We just took the #4 team in the world to the brink, played them straight up for the whole game. Klinsman is getting the most out his boys. Sportsboo.com now has the US at 40-1 to win it all, was 80-1 heading into last nights game and 200-1 before Ghana.  All the drama made for nice overnight ratings of 9.07.              Plus,  We are still undefeated!



Música do Dia-    lets mix up the beats and go big     -The World's Game
https://play.spotify.com/user/spotifylovesfootball/playlist/4FL6dxPyue903rVUu3MtlC?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

Crew Morale takes a jump with the addition of donuts! Clark likes it.

From The Quote Board:

"Sorry, I am not a mild mannered individual"

See quote at end of 2nd paragraph.

What the, What the, WHAT?

enjoying coffee with Jerry Seinfeld?

Daily Dopple DoubleGanger!

The many hairstyles of Tara's ex-boyfriend earn him a spot on DDD as we say goodbye to Spain

today.  Looks like he'll be in the starting lineup.

Portuguese phrase of the day: Uma cardápio por favor (a menu please)

On Tap Today
:

Good futebol today, Can Brazil and Mexico advance. Doubleheaders in each group over the next four days to determine who moves on.  

With no Robin Van Persie for the Netherlands v Chile today, it will be the first time since 1996 (221 matches) that a player with 'Van' hasn't lined up for the Oranje. No Van Nistolrooy, no Van Bastens, no Van Halen.

lesson learned. the hard way. 

Peace out, peeps.

~Ruusélldîñhøo