slides: World Cup Correspondent: Americans Overcome Downpour in Brazil

Friday, June 27, 2014

GoLocalWorcester Sports Team

Ryan Mack and a group of college friends are in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, and Ryan was kind enough to share his experience with GoLocal. Here is Ryan’s experience from the heavy rains that threatened the U.S. vs. Germany game and made the commute to the stadium wet and wild.

We woke up to a downpour that showed no signs of letting up. Quickly, we realized that the water wasn't draining and the flooding was getting worse. In order to hail a cab to the metro, I was standing almost knee deep in water curbside and then out-froggered another fan to get to the cab. On the way to the Metro, our cab was hit by a wave about 8 blocks away from the ocean. I have never been in anything like that.

The rain did not let up, but once we got to the Metro and people started drying off, you could feel the energy building. German fans and US fans started exchanging cheers back and forth.

When we got to the stands, German and American fans were taking photos with one another. The two fan bases seemed more friendly than usual competing groups would. The game started with a nervous tension that continued throughout the game, with a few fans providing updates on the Portugal Ghana game. The moods of the US crowd shifted with each goal in either game. The Germans were an amazing fan base, drowning out many of the American fans at the stadium. At the end of the game, the other score was put up, and Germans and Americans celebrated together.

Last night at Fanfest Recife, we ran into Jimmy Conrad. He talked to us for a bit and took a photo with us. This follows the previous week where Marcelo Balboa say down with us for dinner, watched Spain v Chile with us, and discussed various soccer topics. One of the unique aspects of US Soccer is accessibility and the willingness of current and past stars to interact with the fans. It was great meeting both of them.