Game day...the day we will finally beat Ghana, our nemesis who knocked us out of the last two World Cups. "We Believe, We Believe that We Will Win!"
We started our day (late after a late night) at Mangai watching Germany beat the crap out of Poor-tugal. Unlucky with the freak injuries added to the completely unnecessary but deserved ejection of Pepe. (FYI - my dad informed me Pepe will be available for autographs before, during and after the June 2 match in Manaus).
It was here I had made a few regulations, Coke cans come in many languages, coins are extremely rare, or non existent, and I unknowingly ingested chicken heart in São Paulo. That will teach me to be persistent about translating food items in the future. Oi!
After a brief so at the hotel for game gear (tickets, face paint, flags, banners, rain ponchos, etc.) we headed over to the hard core US supporters aptly named American Outlaws. And what a party that was! The creative chants, costumes and face/body paint were endless! What an amazing atmosphere!
So the mass crowd gradually marched up to the stadium. The was a crowd handing out "Jesus loves in" cookies to help spread the good word. Also skinny the way we say a very confused supporter and Amy met Allan who quickly proposed to her. More on that later...
Then it was game time...oh the thrill of scoring in the first minute was almost too much to handle! Then Ghana with all that missed opportunities it looked certain they'd equalize, and alas they did, in the 82nd minute. What a tragic let down. But i suppose a draw wouldn't be too bad. And then substitute John Brooks, who was noticeably solid at defense, stepped up in his first world cup to knock home these winning to give these US the full 3 points! What elation!
The after party was magnificent! We ran into random dude and a few of Amy's pals while leaving the stadium. The riot police were out in full force, and fortunately was not called into action.
We walked back towards our hotel and stopped for pizza and beer while the crowd dissipated before health back into Porta Negra.
We met Manny (sans Elvis costume) in Porta Negra for the salsa madness and I think he was a bit jealous of the guy wearing the red suit! The scene was still pumping as us old folks left at what we considered a very commendable 3:30am.
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