I was only partly joking in my earlier blog about the boredom that is the gap between games at the Cup. Yes the cafés, the sunshine and the scenery are great. But in truth everyone is simply marking time until the next big game. So it was yesterday. We strolled the beach, dipped our feet in the Atlantic, people watched and drank capiarianhas (a Brazilian drink of sugar alcohol with lime and sugar which I\’d never heard of until a couple weeks ago). But still it was 3 hrs to game time. Dave, a semi retired professor at Purdue, is more familiar with this problem than me. \”Time for a nap\”. Excellent idea and one I could routinely adopt. An hour later, and fully refreshed, it was time to go.
This was a different Fan Zone to the one we experienced for France:Switzerland on Friday. With the cover of night already drawn and the dj already in full swing it was more like approaching a rave than a football game. And much busier. Brazil speaks Portugese, so obviously they\’re gonna turn out in numbers for their colonial cousins. But then you notice that every second person is American. This is Fortaleza, Brazil. Not even the city where the game is being played! When did America get so interested in football (*) that 1,000 or more of its citizens would travel here to watch a game on TV?
The atmosphere inside the Fan Zone was intense but very good natured. Part rave, part party, large part football celebration. As we neared the massive, TV Ronaldo\’s face was smiling down and the crowd, at least the American part of the crowd, gave forth with a chorus of jeers and boos which would set the tone for the evening. The teams lined up for the anthems and I don\’t think I\’ve ever heard the American anthem sung as loudly or with such enthusiasm. Despite myself, I joined in. Given that the majority of the Anerican contingent were young frat boy types (no disrespect), pumped up on beers and already very vocal, I was concerned the Portugese anthem wouldn\’t be properly observed. But I needn\’t have worried. The Brazilians (and the few Portugese present) sang, and we (note the \”we\” Dwayne) Americans listened respectfully. This is the way of the Cup.
What an atmosphere! I wasn\’t certain they played a full 90 the time passed so fast. I don\’t know if we\’re just wrapped up in the Cup down here, but in my opinion the standard of the football this time around is unbelievable. So many strongly contested, close games with high scores. Fantastic football. And this was no different. For the Americans, Howard in goal was outstanding and really the only world class player in the squad. Dempsey up front is simply a good, old fashioned British center forward – broken nose? What broken nose? I\’d play him there all the time rather than in midfield. Zuzi and Jones were other standouts for me. But Bradley in midfield! What\’s going on there. So many missed passes and easy give always, including the one that led to Portugals last gasp goal. Pierrot he is not, but Bradley is better than that. And if he is having a bad tournament then, Klinsman, bench him and put on another holding midfielder. Better to retain the ball than have an ineffective playmaker causing problems.
All of the goals were great – even the Portugese. Whoever would have thought 1,000 Americans would go so crazy over a game of football. I guess they do care after all!
So next stop Manaus in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. I didn\’t even know that there was a city of 2 million people in the middle of the Amazon until I started planning this trip. But there is, and I\’m writing this at 6am this morning on a plane that\’s heading there! This is the part of the trip I\’ve been most looking forward to – very excited. Although it\’s kind of sad we got our schedule the wrong way around. Had we done Manaus first, we\’d likely have been in the stadium last night for USA : Portugal. Given how crazy the Fortaleza fan zone was, to actually have been at the game in Manaus would have been wild!
* footnote: this is my blog; my game; my World Cup, so we\’re calling it football or footie. Not soccer. OK? Gotit? Good! Now let\’s move on 🙂
What! Scotland Qualified!!! 