Wow. Today's USA game against Slovenia was the most "emotional rollercoaster-ish" sporting even I've ever attended, all hyperbole aside. We got to Ellis Park - a converted old rugby stadium that had a classic feel, but none of the impressive frills of Soccer City - to find thousands of Americans in and around the stadium. USA pride was all over the place, and the fans were passionate, loud and ready for a big win.
The first Slovenia goal let some of the wind out of our collective sails, and whatever positive energy we had left was virtually zapped when it turned 2-0 before the half. It was the most disappointed I had been at a sporting event in some time - my expectations for Team USA were so high, and the pre-game energy was so positive, that no one could believe we were facing an imposing 2 goal halftime deficit.
How quickly things change, though. Landon Donovan's spectacular goal got the Americans right back in it early in the second session. We had a perfect view of his charge from our seats in the corner of Ellis Park (great view, though not as good as yesterday for South Korea versus Argentina. All of this game's goals were scored into the net by our seats, though, which was great.). The crowd's energy-level rose throughout the second half, and people erupted when Michael Bradley jammed home the second goal for team USA. I hugged several strangers, high-fived tons more, and the decibel level was deafening even without the aid of the piped-in music that we Americans are so fond of at baseball and football games (the vuvuzelas help, though). We were back at an emotional high.
I know the talk tomorrow will be about the USA's disallowed third goal. From my vantage point, all we saw was what looked like a good goal to cap an incredible comeback and give the USA the lead (and, given what happened tonight with England and Algeria, an almost-free pass into the next round). People were going nuts, we were all beyond ecstatic, and then while celebrating we saw that the refs had called off the goal and play had resumed with a Slovenia free kick. Obviously that was very disappointing, but when the final whistle blew I think most of us were happy to have salvaged the draw.
While Ellis Park was no Soccer City and our seats were worse than yesterday, there's nothing like rooting on your home country with thousands of your countrymen. I was also amazed, and pleased, to see that the non-American portion of the crowd, especially the native South Africans, was very pro-USA. The second half goals were amazing - I've never celebrated so hard at any stadium in my life. I'm already amped for USA versus Algeria next week in Pretoria - a win guarantees the USA a spot in the second round, and I imagine the crowd will be even better than this one was. For my sanity's sake, let's hope the Americans are a bit more consistent and do what they're supposed to - get a win against the Desert Foxes.
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