A bunch of excited American fans temporarily abandoned
half-empty glasses of beer, cups of coffee and platters of fried
breakfast food at a local restaurant this morning, spilling into
the streets to celebrate the 3-2 upset over Portugal in the World Cup.
Marty Kushner who stayed at the restaurant all night to watch
the U.S.-Portugal match which started at 5 o'clock local time in
the morning, said "during the first half, I was very much in
disbelief and the second half there was a whole lot of hanging on.
When the whistle blew, I was thinking, did that really happen?
Then I went out to the streets."
Kushner said he had about 50 other people went outside and
cheered on the streets, chanting "U.S.A." and waving American
flags. The group stopped traffic while drivers gave celebratory
honks as they passed on their way to offices.
At one point, Kushner said fans of Portugal's team hugged fans
of the U.S. team on the streets. "We were all there together and
that's what this game is about," he said.
The victory is being hailed as the team's greatest win in more
than 50 years. The United States scored three goals in the first
36 minutes, one each from midfielder John O'Brien and forward
Brian McBride and an own goal after forward Landon Donovan's cross
deflected off two Portugal players.
It was the most significant victory for the United States since
its 1-0 defeat of England in the 1950 finals, and its first ever
win over a European team in the World Cup history.
The United States which lost all three games in France four
years ago, last won a World Cup finals match in 1994 on their home
turf. They beat Colombia 2-1 and went on to reach the second
round where they lost to eventual champion Brazil.
But today's result was against a highly regarded Portugal side
that was ranked fifth in the world by FIFA, the world's soccer
governing body. Portugal had come to the Finals by scoring more
goals in the qualifying stage than any other European team.
Neil Wells, a 35-year-old computer programmer, said he was
stunned by the victory, saying that "I would have bet the house on
Portugal. Portugal is one of the top teams of the World Cup. But
everything is possible and America has everything to play for."
The United States is the only country outside Europe and South
America to have reached the semifinals of the World Cup in 1930
when they lost to Argentina in a depleted tournament.
But the country's World Cup glory days largely belong to an era
that hardly anyone is still alive to remember. The last time the
United States scored three goals in a game at the Finals was at
the first World Cup tournament in Uruguay 72 years ago when they
beat Paraguay 3-0.
Aimee Grahe, a 23-year-old soccer trainer, said she hopes today's
win is the first of many for her favorite team. She said she
was thrilled by the team's performance and by the turnout at the
local restaurant.
"It is so impressive to see this many people turnout at 1:30,
2:30, 3:30 in the morning. I'm so glad to see the community coming
out to support our team. It is so good for the game."
On Monday, the United States will face co-host South Korea
before its last group match against Poland on June 14.
Editor: May
Source: Xinhua
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