Back Into the Fray

First, if you have read the first post for this edition of my World Cup blogs, I eluded to my intentions to put together some posts from my having traveled through a significant portion of the US team's Hexagonal qualifying campaign.

My apologies for that not happening. Several weeks ago, I suffered a back injury resulting in a bulging disc in my back. There was some considerable doubt during this time as to whether I would even be able to make the trip to Brazil, that uncertainty lasting right up until just days prior to my scheduled departure.

After x-rays, an MRI, two epidural injections, and the miracle of modern pharmaceuticals, Dr. Hal Silcox, and his able team, had me to the point where I chose to shoot the last US 'send off' match, against Nigeria in Jacksonville, June 7th. It was my decision to use the drive and shoot as a 'field test' to gauge my ability to tough out this, my sixth, and likely last, World Cup as a photojournalist.

There is some professional journalistic regret on my part for falling down on the build up background to the US making their seventh consecutive World Cup. The "Snow Bowl" win, in Denver over Costa Rica in March 2013, was certainly one of my most unique sports photo experiences.

I also traveled to Jamaica and Panama for dramatic, last-gasp wins by the US, both of which had ramifications, not just for the home team, but for most of the other members of the six-country CONCACAF qualifying group, only three of which, would automatically advance to Brazil.

During the Hexagonal I also shot the home match with Panama in Seattle's fabulous home team environment, the September home match against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, which resulted in the now legendary and traditional 'Dos a Cero' (2-0) scoreline, and the October home return match with Jamaica in Kansas City, another energetic MLS city and venue. All of these wins would ultimately result in the US taking first place in the Hexagonal, locking down their spot among the 32-team World Cup final groups.

When the draw was made by FIFA in December, US fortunes would change dramatically. Drawn into Group G, the Americans round-robin opponents to advance into the tournament's 'knock out' phase turned out to be two of the pre-tournament favorites, Germany and Portugal, and the team which sent the US home from the past two World Cups, Ghana. The 'double whammy' would be the travel, so opposite to the favorable draw of South Africa in 2010. Added to the oppositional challenge in Brazil, the US also faces daunting travel of over 9,000 miles during the Group Stage.

So we're now up to present, and I find myself on the ground in Sao Paulo. The day of my arrival, June 12th, was declared a national holiday in Brazil, helping at least in small part by easing the experience in the normally horrendous Sao Paulo traffic. That would not mean there was not waiting, which began immediately, on the jetway headed for Customs.

The wait to get through Customs was about two hours, which started a day of WAY too much time on my feet, which is of course, the worst thing related to my back condition. Clearing the agony of Customs, I met longtime friend, New York writer, Michael Lewis, who like me, is participating in the US Soccer Media Program, which encompasses all in-country transportation, lodging, access to US press opportunities, and some other nice amenities. Our base hotel in Sao Paulo is a very nice Melia' property, the Tryp Higienopolis.

Unfortunately, the hotel, though located in a nice section of town, is a long way from the Arena Corinthians, which is the World Cup venue for matches in Sao Paulo. To travel to the Opening Match, Brazil-Croatia, our contingent, without a media bus parking pass, would travel first by bus, to the Luz train station, the end of the line, but offering game-day express service to the stadium.

Once arriving at the stadium train stop, it was a very long walk, through an energetic Brazilian crowd, and up and down lots of stairs, and a fairly steep hill, for me to first stop at the Accreditation Center for my Media Credential. Then, another long walk to the opposite side of the stadium, up another pretty good hill (dragging backpack and rolling camera case), to the Stadium Media Center, where all photographers are required to pick up their photo bibs and a Match Ticket for that specific game, which is tied to a specific seat number on the pitch. Suffice it to say, this process was not well-organized, resulting in lots more standing, but in the end, I got one of my favorite shooting positions, along the sideline, between the top of the penalty area and midfield line.

All of those blue and white seats in the upper deck on the opposite side are the Media Tribune where writers, broadcasters, and some photographers are during the match. This visual should give an indication of the numbers of media on hand, especially since this was the first match, featuring the host team, against as it would turn out, sacrificial lamb opposition, Croatia. A Brazil own goal in the 11th minute would shock the crowd, but the the visitors' lead would last only until the 29th minute, when national and international sensation, Neymar would dribble midfield, hitting a shot from outside the box to level the score.

With the game knotted at half, the stage was set for a dramatic finish, but unfortunately, as is too often the case, the officiating interjected itself, becoming more the story than the match itself. In the 71st minute, Brazilian forward, Fred, backed into a Croatian defender to receive a ball passed in the general direction. As the defender backed out of the contact, the Brazilian flopped backwards to the ground, conning the Japanese referee into granting a penalty kick, which Neymar converted into a 2-1 lead for the home side.

A Croatian equalizer was waived off a few minutes later for a perceived foul on a 50-50 ball between the goalkeeper and forward. Then, in stoppage time, the referee let a Brazilian foul go without a whistle. The resulting counterattack would establish the final scoreline of 3-1, when an Oscar toe poke from the edge of the box would nestle home, just inside the near post.

With a match under my shooting belt, we leave early Saturday morning for the first US match, Monday, three hours up the coast, in Natal.

All contents of this blog, written and photographic, are copyrighted 2014, all Rights Reserved, by Perry McIntyre - Atlanta, GA.