Goal met: U.S. fans have reason to celebrate despite World Cup loss
Ray Sanchez, CNN
Updated
6:43 PM EDT, Thu June 26, 2014
Story highlights
"People are getting behind U.S. soccer," fan says
Throughout the U.S., World Cup fever takes hold
Thursday, June 26, 2014, becomes a national holiday of sorts
(CNN) —
Moments after Germany defeated the United States 1-0 Thursday at the World Cup, the globe’s biggest sporting spectacle, frenzied U.S. fans danced and cheered in the humid air under New York’s Manhattan Bridge overpass in Brooklyn. One more jubilant celebration – sans a victory.
Even in defeat, Team USA earned a spot in the last 16 of the World Cup after limping out from one of the tournament’s toughest groups. They lost their final Group G game but still qualified, despite Portugal defeating Ghana 2-1.
“This is bigger than a moment,” said a frantic fan in Brooklyn who was among the thousands who gathered at various locations around the nation to watch the big match. “It’s a movement. People are getting behind U.S. soccer.”
Sales manager Dave Bogart said his heart was beating “a mile a minute” after Team USA’s improbable advance from the feared “Group of Death.”
Thomas Muller’s second-half strike condemned the U.S. to defeat following a rain-soaked match in Recife, Brazil. But star Cristiano Ronaldo’s late strike for Portugal inflicted defeat on Ghana and ensured the Americans qualified in second place on goal difference.
The American squad will now travel to Salvador, where its opponent will be Belgium on Tuesday.
“Every four years you get to see the game grow,” Bogarttold CNN under the Manhattan Bridge.
World Cup fever, American-style, lives – at least until Tuesday. From now on, any loss for a team means the end of its World Cup hopes.
Throughout the country – from outdoor viewing events in the nation’s capital, New York and Chicago, to office lunch parties and crowded sports bars – Thursday, June 26, 2014, was a national holiday of sorts.
Meetings were canceled. Students played hooky. Doctors’ letters were forged. Some bosses simply gave up, ordered pizzas and put on the game.
That fever was in full view at breakfast time when an unnamed World Cup fan from suburban New York gulped down a cold beer at Jack Demsey’s Pub in Midtown Manhattan. At an hour when New Yorkers are packing onto subway trains for their morning commute, the pub was already standing-room only.
“I actually got out of work with a concussion,” said the superfan, who declined to give his name for obvious reasons.
For many early risers, the breakfast of champions included pints of stout, ale and cider, fireball shot specials and spicy chicken wings.
For 90-some minutes starting at noon Thursday, most of America seemed to stop.
Algerian squad members celebrate after tying Russia 1-1 during a World Cup match at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba, Brazil, on June 26.
PHOTO:
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
South Korea midfielder Son Heung-Min, center, reacts after losing to Belgium during a World Cup match at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Belgium won 1-0.
PHOTO:
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Belgium defender and captain Jan Vertonghen celebrates after scoring.
PHOTO:
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen, right, scores
PHOTO:
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Algeria fans celebrate their team's first goal.
PHOTO:
Clive Rose/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Islam Slimani of Algeria, left, celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Essaid Belkalem.
PHOTO:
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Algeria forward Islam Slimani, right, scores his team's first goal past Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
PHOTO:
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Algeria's goalkeeper Rais M'bohli dives for the ball.
PHOTO:
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, second right, heads the ball.
PHOTO:
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Aleksandr Kerzhakov of Russia and Carl Medjani of Algeria compete for the ball.
PHOTO:
Mike Hewitt/FIFA via Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Igor Akinfeev of Russia makes a save against Algeria.
PHOTO:
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria receives a treatment.
PHOTO:
Shaun Botterill/FIFA via Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
South Korea defender Kim Young-Gwon and Anthony Vanden Borre of Belgium collide during the match between South Korea and Belgium on June 26 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
PHOTO:
Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Islam Slimani of Algeria and Denis Glushakov of Russia compete for the ball.
PHOTO:
Shaun Botterill/FIFA via Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Young-Gwon, left, vies with Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
PHOTO:
ODD ANDERSEN/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Kokorin celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Oleg Shatov on his back in a match against Algeria.
PHOTO:
Clive Rose/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Nicolas Lombaerts of Belgium challenges Kim Shin-Wook of South Korea.
PHOTO:
Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
A Belgian fan reacts before a match between South Korea and Belgium.
PHOTO:
MARTIN BUREAU/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
South Korea fans cheer.
PHOTO:
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Algeria fans cheer before the match between Algeria and Russia.
PHOTO:
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Russian supporters kiss ahead of the match between Algeria and Russia.
PHOTO:
PHILIPPE DESMAZES/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann of the United States acknowledges the fans after his team's 1-0 loss to Germany in Recife, Brazil. Despite the loss, the U.S. team advances to the round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup.
PHOTO:
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Portugal forward and captain Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after the match between Portugal and Ghana in Brasilia on June 26. Portugal won 2-1.
PHOTO:
FRANCISCO LEONG/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
U.S. fans Jon Gonzalez, center and Angie Plummer, front, have mixed reactions throughout the U.S. vs. Germany match at Zeppelin Hall Restaurant and Biergarten in Jersey City, New Jersey.
PHOTO:
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo, left, strikes the ball to score a goal against Ghana.
PHOTO:
EVARISTO SA/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Jermaine Jones, front, of the United States and teammate Alejandro Bedoya lie on the field after colliding during a match against Germany.
PHOTO:
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Ghana forward and captain Asamoah Gyan, left, scores past Portugal's goalkeeper Beto during the match between Portugal and Ghana.
PHOTO:
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Portugal defender Pepe reacts during a match against Ghana.
PHOTO:
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Thomas Mueller leaps in celebration after scoring what would be the only goal in Germany's victory over the United States.
PHOTO:
Alex Livesey/FIFA/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Two young fans of Germany watch the match against the United States.
PHOTO:
Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Gyan, left, Portugal midfielder William Carvalho, Ghana defender John Boye and Pepe vie for the ball during the match between Portugal and Ghana.
PHOTO:
EVARISTO SA/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Eder, left, Ronaldo and William Carvalho of Portugal walk in the tunnel during halftime of the match between Portugal and Ghana.
PHOTO:
Stuart Franklin/FIFA/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil vies for the ball during the match between U.S. and Germany.
PHOTO:
NELSON ALMEIDA/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Jermaine Jones of the United States reacts early in the match against Germany.
PHOTO:
Martin Rose/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Jonathan Mensah of Ghana and Eder of Portugal go up for the ball.
PHOTO:
Christopher Lee/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Germany head coach Joachim Loew gestures during the game against the United States.
PHOTO:
Alex Livesey/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Ghana defender John Boye, center, reacts after making an own goal against Portugal.
PHOTO:
GABRIEL BOUYS/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
John Boye of Ghana gives up an own-goal against Portugal.
PHOTO:
Stuart Franklin/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Jermaine Jones of the United States controls the ball against Mats Hummels of Germany.
PHOTO:
Martin Rose/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Lukas Podolski of Germany is challenged by Kyle Beckerman of the United States.
PHOTO:
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah vie for the ball.
PHOTO:
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after a play.
PHOTO:
GABRIEL BOUYS/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Jermaine Jones of the United States and Benedikt Hoewedes of Germany jump for the ball during their game in Recife.
PHOTO:
NELSON ALMEIDA/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Lukas Podolski and Benedikt Hoewedes of Germany chase after Fabian Johnson of the United States.
PHOTO:
NELSON ALMEIDA/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda dives for the ball.
PHOTO:
CARL DE SOUZA/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Portugal's Eder, left, and Ghana's John Boye vie for the ball.
PHOTO:
EVARISTO SA/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Portugal's Joao Moutinho and Ghana's Emmanuel Agyemang Badu fight for the ball.
PHOTO:
GABRIEL BOUYS/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Eder of Portugal and Jonathan Mensah of Ghana jump for the ball.
PHOTO:
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Andre Ayew of Ghana tackles Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.
PHOTO:
Elsa/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Germany head coach Joachim Loew checks the pitch condition before the game against the United States.
PHOTO:
Alex Livesey/FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
U.S. fans cheer before the game at Dupont Circle in Washington.
PHOTO:
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Portugal fans cheer before their team's game against Ghana.
PHOTO:
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/afp/getty images
Photos: World Cup: The best photos from June 26
World Cup: The best photos from June 26 —
Ghana fans gather before the game against Portugal. See the best World Cup photos from June 25.
PHOTO:
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/afp/getty images
A year of method acting helped the superfan with his concussion charade, as did a “real doctor’s note from a real doctor,” he said.
“I had to be off for two weeks, and I couldn’t think or do anything,” he told CNN. “I put that (method acting) to use as a diehard soccer fan.”
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the man who transformed Germany into a powerhouse team, on social media gave America’s workforce permission to take a day off. His note said, in part, that the absence is for a “good cause” and that Team USA needs the “full support of the nation” in order to advance to the next round.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted back: “NYS stands strongly behind you. I’m approving an extra hour for lunch today.”
On Sunday, 20,000 people showed up for the World Cup watch party at Chicago’s Grant Park for the USA-Portugal match, CNN affiliate WBBM reported. But Thursday’s crowd, which was expected to be bigger than Sunday’s, turned out to be about 5,000.
In California, at the headquarters of Edmunds.com, workers pecked away on their laptops while watching the game.
The average age of workers at the Santa Monica headquarters of the car-buying website is 35. Edmunds CEO said he recognized a growing interest in soccer.
“We wanted to be open about it and allow them to watch the game, just so long as they (employees) get results,” CEO Avi Steinlauf said. “We’d rather have it this way, watching in a conference room, than trying to check the score on their phones or computers.”
The final score didn’t seem to matter much Thursday. The team advanced.
As the superfan at Jack Demsey’s Pub put it, his real affliction was not a concussion.
“The only thing I had was soccer fever, and the only prescription is more soccer,” he said. “When we win, it is the greatest feeling in the world. It’s one of the rare sports that really shows the patriotism that is America.”
