Welcome to the Jungle

My facebook friends have already seen a few images in an album of the same name, but the reality is, today, for the critical Group G match with Portugal, it is in the dreaded Manaus, where the US contingent finds itself.

Arriving Friday, the team began to acclimate to the heat and humidity, which is not all too dissimilar to Florida. The remainder of the US support group, friends, family, and of course, media, arrived yesterday, Saturday.

Cannot go any further without sharing my first glimpse of the Amazon River, on our approach to Manaus.

Several of the media group chose the morning of the match, Sunday, to go on a brief river tour, to view the stark, color line confluence of the Rio Negro. I, however, am in the comfort and air conditioning of the SMC, getting caught up on work, which has slipped behind in travel.

Speaking of travel, and back to yesterday, we went  from the Manaus airport directly to Arena Amazonia, for the US press conference and training session. Of the  arenas I have visited so far, this one is the most modern and worthy of a being a World Cup venue.

As the US press conference was beginning, the result of the Germany-Ghana draw was becoming final. Despite that result, and the obvious chaos and raising of the stakes for the US match with Portugal, both coach Jurgen Klinsmann and goalkeeper, Tim Howard, came across as relaxed and ready for the challenge.

Once the team hit the pitch for training, for which the media only have access for the first 15 minutes, the team looked very much like a focused side, ready to get on with a big match. One of the big topics has been the status of captain Clint Dempsey, but other than a pretty good shiner, he seems fine, despite the broken nose suffered in the Ghana win.

At this juncture, am also throwing in a random photo of Kyle Beckerman, for my son, Will. Don't worry, Hunter, your shots of Wondo and Graham Zusi are in the works.

During the press conference, a couple of German writers attempted to ask Jurgen about the Germany match. Both the FIFA Media Officer and Jurgen quickly cut them off. "Today we only think about, talk about, Portugal." The smile in that press room, had turned 'all business' once the coach hit the training pitch.

It is y'all, now, finally, match day. Here's hoping it is an epic day for US Soccer history.
U! S! A!

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