The Disappointing Draw: United States Lets an Opportunity Slip By

Faint chants of U-S-A U-S-A begin to be heard at Jack's American Pub on a jam-packed Brady Street in the 95th minute. There are some already tasting victory and advancement to the knockout stages. I am patiently watching the clock thinking it's too early for chants, just finish and then we can celebrate like banshees. All the sudden, Cristiano Ronaldo tears down the wing and puts in a perfect ball allowing Silvestre Varela to score the equalizer in the latest regulation goal in World Cup history. You could hear a pin drop at the one-time rambunctious bar.

Me?  I went into a full squat buried below everyone. I wanted to crawl into the fetal position and not wake up for the next couple of hours. Did that really happen?  There are no words for the first thoughts after the game except for the fact everyone wanted to drink the pain away as quick as possible. A stomach-punch ending with a great game. United States are still second in the group with a lot that can happen. Even though the final result was a nightmare, the game and the atmosphere was perfect.  

It is really hard to think about the positives of the game given what happened at the conclusion. If the United States tied Portugal 1-1, we would probably talk about the variety of missed opportunities throughout the game rather than wondered what Michael Bradley was thinking with the ball and an open field in front of him. If he runs around for 30 seconds, Portugal cannot muster an attack and the United States is through to the Round of 16. Instead, United States will be fighting for their lives in hopes their trip to Brazil last longer than just a mere two weeks. Bradley had a better game, but it seems more and more like he is developing into the goat of this World Cup for the United States team. 

He had the horrid game against Ghana, and Sunday, Bradley played some better balls yet still had the massive brain fart in the final minute, something he did as well against Ghana. Bradley also had a wide open net with just a defender to beat and instead of delivering a swift kick in, he finessed the ball leading to Portugal preserving their one goal advantage. Bradley is one of the best players on this United States roster, but it seems like the moment is too big for him. He cannot handle being the second star next to Clint Dempsey. Bradley needs to play with more composure especially in the late parts of the game.

Bradley wasn't the only one whom had trouble in Manaus. Geoff Cameron really had a poor game having responsibility for both goals. Cameron had a horrible ball allowing Nani to get an opportunity for goal in the early goings of the game. Further, he lost Varela allowing him to slip behind and lead to the shocking header. Cameron will probably not get pulled from the lineup, but a case could be make he doesn't really deserve to be in the starting eleven after his performance on Sunday afternoon.

Bradley and Cameron might have had bad moments, but let's not take away from how well the United States play today from the 6th minute to the 94th minute. United States attacked more and had more shots in the first half than they did for the entire game against Ghana. Unlike Bradley, Jermaine Jones has been one of the best players for the United States, and he finally made his scoring presence felt with a great strike to equalize the United States. They didn't stop with one goal. U.S. kept attacking leading to DeAndre Yellin starting the break that led to Clint Dempsey getting his second goal of this World Cup putting the United States ahead in the 81st minute. All they had to do was hold on like that Wilson Phillips song and they would be in the final 16. 

As noted, they were denied that opportunity, and once again, a friendly reminder that sports can be the bane of our existence leaving us wonder why we care so much about grown men kicking around a black and white ball.  The equalizing goal and the go-ahead goal feature the complete opposite reaction and why we love sports. It cannot always be rainbows and unicorns. Hardships are involved all the time and usually you would like to avoid them being public. That being said, one of the best decisions I made was to find my way to Brady Street for the game amid a terrible hangover and staying out til 4 AM the night before. 

Never in my life have I seen a crowd of people like that on a street in Milwaukee. The police had to shut down part of the street because so many people were flooding the streets. Nomad had three different places to watch the game, all three were at capacity. According to a guy I spoke with they sold 500 cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Guess the whole racism thing didn't really make a dent in their bottom line, eh? Nomad wasn't the only bar packed as every place seemed to be wall-to-wall with people. It made me think could a Milwaukee Brewers World Series run lead to this type of pandemonium?    

 We found our way to Jack's where people were covered head to toe in American apparel. There were chants, there was happiness. The last time I celebrated something to that effect was Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb in late December. But it was a great feeling jumping up and down celebrating with everyone with chants of USA reigning down and momentarily deafening the in-game audio. The only thing better would have been an actual victory because the celebration would have been going to the wee hours of the night and this blog wouldn't have been posted yet. It is almost like the sports gods giving us a sample of the nectar of pure unfiltered happiness, but not the whole thing. That will have to wait for another time. 

United States needs a draw or a win to move on or a variety of tiebreakers need to happen with Ghana-Portugal for the team to advance. No one is ready to be done with the American soccer experience. It is just getting started. 

Charlie. 

Red White and Payback for the United States

United States Soccer started their quest for the World Cup on Monday night against Ghana, the consistent thorn in their sides for the last two World Cups. Ghana knocked the United States out of the World Cup in 2006 and 2010.  The Black Stars had a chance to do some major damage to United States' hopes to make it to the knockout stages continuing their infliction of pain to United States soccer and supporters. But U.S. redeemed themselves in a major way with a 2-1 victory in the final moments with a big goal from 21-year old John Brooks in one of the grittiest wins in United States Soccer history getting a much needed three points.

United States had one of the earliest answers in the history of the World Cup with Clint Dempsey scoring in the first minute of the game. This was an ideal start for United States as they struggled in the past World Cup games with giving up an early game. It felt great to be on the other end of the early goal scoring. Everyone had wondered what the ceiling was for this United States team with a mix of hope and wonderment with playing the Group of Death. Dempsey adding the first goal of the game so quickly gave everyone hope from the get-go.

Although after Dempsey's goal, Ghana began to attack with great ferocity at the net trying to equalize the game. The Black Stars ended up with 21 shots yet only three of them were only on goal. This is the most shots taken by a losing team thus far in the World Cup. Ghana kept banging on the door. Everyone kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it happened finally in the 82nd minute with Andre Ayew having a beautiful goal to tie the match. Suddenly, dejection once again set in for the United States against Ghana. Even though it was a tied match, United States acted like they lost the lead for a couple minutes and then John Anthony Brooks happened.



Two minutes later, United States had a set piece leading to the young gun Brooks netting the go-ahead goal for Team USA. This seemed like the vindication for Jurgen Klinsmann. He took a great deal of shit for some of his decisions along with leaving Landon Donovan and having a guy like Brooks on the roster. Klinsmann even got questioned on bringing Brooks on versus Omar Gonzalez. Further, the player whom set up the goal, Graham Zusi was another Klinsmann's decision. We are not there, but we are getting close to having a 'In Klinsmann We Trust' kind of thing. It is too bad Klinsmann didn't go with a DX suck it chop after the goal by Brooks. U.S. were able to hold on for 10 minutes getting the victory for the team.



The bandwagon for United States Soccer was already pretty full, but it appears like we are filling the whole damn bus. It will look like settlers heading out West in covered wagons. It already seems like soccer fever caught most people, but add the fact, United States got a victory plus a weekend late afternoon date with Portugal, it will be a full-blown bandwagon festival. This isn't a bad thing. More and more people are talking about how much they are enjoying this tournament which is fantastic for the development of soccer in the United States. World Cup is seeing all sorts of scoring in combination with dramatic games along with some surprises plus add United States early success, everyone pushed their chips in. It is a beautiful thing to see.

Hate to be a wet blanket, but this doesn't ensure the United States will be in the knockout stages. They still have to deal with a Portugal team backed into the corner in the depths of the Amazon The unlikelihood of having Jozy Altidore as he seems out for multiple weeks, and Klinsmann's decision on whom will play the striker position. Further, how the other players will dealt with Manaus as many players seemed to deal with cramps through the game. There is still much more work to be done with this team, but U.S. getting three points was massive.

This team is not out of the jungle, but there is much more glimmers of sunshine then there was before the game kicked off on Monday.

Charlie.

How Milwaukee Relates to All 32 World Cup Teams

Everyone has some sort of creative World Cup preview.  I am pretty much out of options at this point because all of the corners of the Internet have been taken. Needless to say, I am pretty disappointed with this one because I want to have something about the World Cup besides Mitch and I bumbling through an audio preview around the 30 minute mark of our latest podcast.  Here's my idea, and we are going to try to do it to the best of our abilities. We are going to try and relate every single World Cup country with the City of Milwaukee. Godspeed.

Group A
Brazil - General Electric, one of the biggest companies in Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area , has a major office in Sao Paulo where roughly10,000 people work in a variety of different occupations for the company. Harley-Davidson has major involvement with Brazil as well.  OH and people are pissed at Milwaukee when it comes to Brazil right now.

Croatia - I had no idea Croatian Eagles Soccer Club here in Milwaukee is the oldest North American Soccer club. They first started in 1922.

Mexico - There are so many great things about Mexico and the City of Milwaukee. They are a major part of this city without question. El Rey is one of the most heralded grocery stores in the city.

Cameroon - This is a very recent story about a Alverno College professor whose bringing laptops to Cameroon to young women here. Fantastic to see.

Group B
Spain - Santaigo Calatrava, a Spanish architect, created Milwaukee Art Museum which was his first American building and a staple of Milwaukee architecture.

Netherlands - Surprisingly, not very much from this country ties to Milwaukee, but Maxwell Wassacher, a junior at MSOE, will be playing for Netherlands' National Team in Lacrosse this coming julu.

Chile - When Chile had an earthquake in April 2014, a Milwaukee seismic meters picked it up from well over a  1,000 miles away. That's pretty neat science.

Australia - Milwaukee Tool has a major factory in Australia. They have all sorts of advertisements, YouTube videos, everything.



Group C
Colombia - I don't know when this occurred or if it is still going to happen, but the Milwaukee Ballet Company was headed to Colombia to compete in the International Ballet Festival.

Greece - GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO!!!!  That's really all that needs to be said, but also, Milwaukee has a strong Greek population rooted in the city.

Ivory Coast  - Wilfred Bony, one of the players for the Cote D'Ivore, will be playing for Swansea at Miller Park against Chivas FC this upcoming July.

Japan - Milwaukee has a stronger Japanese culture than anyone probably thinks about or considers. Here's a look at the Milwaukee Japanese Association.

Group D
England - I don't always like lists, but the BBC America has 10 British things about America which I will say is close enough. And if it's not, Michael King is the obvious answer.

Italy - Huge Italian presence here in Milwaukee, and the Italian Community Center is a great place in the city of Milwaukee. Additionally, Brady Street used to be considered Little Italy shortly after World War II and also home to Gloriosos, one of the best ethnic grocery stores in the area .

Uruguay - Easily the hardest one thus far, but we ended on finding the Milwaukee Guitar Duo whom won some awards in Uruguay in the late 90's. Yeah I don't know either.

Costa Rica - In March, we had two smugglers trying to bring in Milwaukee's Best Premium into the country from the Panama border. In fact, they tried to bring seven cases in because this beer would only cost one American dollar versus the two to four dollar prices they pay for beer. And at Taylors: Costa Rica, they still pay five dollars.

Group E
France - The United States Futsal team is playing the French's national team in Milwaukee this Saturday at MSOE. Big-time event on Water Street and Juneau all day. From everything I read, top notch day to day-drink on Saturday.  

Switzerland - Simon Moser, one of the players for the Milwaukee Adrimals this season, played for the Swiss National Team at Sochi this February.

Ecuador - I had no idea they had their own fly fishing technique but apparently they do so now we all know this information. Why it matters for this piece, some guy did it in the Milwaukee River.


Honduras - Another one where I had some big-time trouble with finding something Milwaukee-related for this country. The best I can do is the USS Milwaukee spent some time in Honduras during the 1910's.

Group G
United States - A city in the United States. Boom. Easiest one yet.

Germany - There is SO much of Germany in Milwaukee. We all know it is a major part of our overall culture as a city. I would like to give a special shoutout to my favorite German restaurant, Cafe Bavaria.

Ghana - Ghana Milwaukee Association seems like a really cool thing to check out in order to learn more about the country right here in the City of Milwaukee.

Portugal - This is the first one to have me completely stumped therefore we are going with a performance from Portugal. The Man at Pabst Theater.



Group H
Belgium - I should be on the PR staff for Lowlands. Cafe Hollander is one of the more popular restaurants in the city known for its Belgium cuisine.

Russia - Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church is one of the more famed churches around the area with their website still having the Russian language.

South Korea - I have not eaten at the Stone Bowl Grill on the Eastside, but it is a new Korean restaurant to the area.

Algeria -  This happened last year, but pretty cool stuff from NPR: Milwaukee reuniting an Algerian Buena Vista Club after 50 years of separation.

Charlie.