When Jermaine Jones loosed the shot that brought USA even with Portugal, that was the call from Ian Darke: “What a cracker from him!” It was in the 64th minute, and Jones brought USA level with a 25-yard strike that the Portugal keeper didn’t even move his feet to defend.
Taylor Twellman, Darke’s color man on the broadcast, and former USA player, taunted Portugal’s keeper with his comment: “Pick it out of the back of the net, Beto, it’s 1-1.”
4th ranked in the world, Portugal was favored to make a long run in the World Cup tournament.
13th ranked in the world, USA had high hopes … but they were in the “Group Of Death.” The group is Germany, Ghana, Portugal and USA. All of these teams are dangerous. As Portugal was about to learn.
In the 81st minute, here’s Darke’s call: “Yedlin, Michael Bradley, Zusi .. and then Dempsey. Is he onside? HE IS. It’s 2-1 to the US!” Clint Dempsey, who plays professional soccer for the Seattle Sounders, put the crossing pass into the net … playing it off his hip. As Darke said, “Captain Marvel, again.”
Alas, the lead would not endure. Soccer’s so-called world player of the year (formally, the recipient of the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or), Cristiano Ronaldo, is the lead player for Portugal. He did a perfect pass in the 5th minute of added time, and Portugal’s Varela headed it into the US net. Final score: 2-2.
So, all four teams in the Group of Death are still alive. USA advances to the round of 16 with a win or draw when they play Germany on Thursday, 6/26, at 9am EDT. Join me in rooting them on, won’t you?
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