If the USA's miraculous last-second victory over Algeria was the apex of the 2010 World Cup for American fans, last night's disappointing loss to Ghana in overtime was definitely the nadir. Everything about the game - the transportation, stadium and result - was worse than we've been accustomed to here in South Africa, and while I feel lucky to have been to the USA's last game, I'm glad it's now Sunday morning here and we can move forward with the trip.
We drove overnight from Cape Town on Friday night and made it to Rustenburg - a tiny town two hours from Jo'burg - in the afternoon. We went to the Fan Fest for a bit to watch Uruguay play South Korea, which was basically a big dirt pit with a huge TV screen (although they did have good food there). We got to the stadium without much difficulty, and found that the place was the equivalent of a mediocre NCAA FCS football stadium - it felt like we were about to watch William & Mary kickoff a game against Richmond, not a FIFA World Cup elimination game. There was no roof, limited concession stands or bathrooms, crowded concourses and a track surrounding the field that pushed all of the seats far away from the playing surface. I didn't even get a good picture of the outside of the places, since there was no vantage point from where to take it. It's amazing that the "city" and stadium were chosen to host games, especially a playoff game.
The game itself was rough, too. Ghana's early goal - the third the USA has allowed in 4 games - took the US crowd out of it for much of the first half. The penalty kick goal got the crowd fired up, but even that was less climactic and exciting than a traditional goal would have been, I think. The team and the crowd both seemed nervous towards the end of regulation and into extra time, and once Ghana scored their second and their players began faking injury after injury to waste time, we knew it was over. We walked out disappointed, frustrated (both with the American performance and with Ghana's stall tactics), and dejected.
That being said, there were positives - even aside from the obvious fact that we're still in breathtaking South Africa where millions of people wish they could be right now. We had decent seats by the goal where all 3 goals were scored (we've had great luck with witnessing tons of goals from close range since I've been here), and we got to see another World Cup venue, albeit one of the crappier ones. And, if we had to lose to anyone I'm glad it was Ghana, a country who now has the support of the continent as the last African team standing. Their fans were out in full force last night, and they also had the backing of virtually every South African. I hope the Black Stars win their next game and advance to the semifinals; it would be great to see the first African team to make the semis do it here in Africa, and a long run by Ghana would make our loss to them a little easier to swallow.
Next up is tonight's England versus Germany game in Bloemfontein, to which we are currently driving. Expect one more post tonight or tomorrow, and then a recap and pictures when I get home over July 4th weekend.
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