Dramatic Subplots and Scenarios

When Portugal snatched back two points in the final seconds of their match with the US in Manaus, it removed one of the great possibilities of the Americans entering the final match of Group G play in first place, with Germany needing a win to claim the group.

Instead, the two second-match draws in Group G left all four teams with at least some chance of advancement into the Knockout Stage. With US still in control of the second spot, a tie against Germany guaranteeing advancement, there was some speculation Jurgen Klinsmann's past associations with his homeland, national team, and coach, would steer the match in that direction.

During the Match Day -1 press conference, all on hand, from both teams, assured the media the competitive nature of the athletes and coaches, once the match was underway, would not allow for such an arrangement. The spirit of both sides during the press conference, though, was upbeat, with both Klinsmann, and his former assistant, Joachim Loew, now in control of the German side, relaxed.

The players, too, assured all their efforts were focused on their respective sides winning, with first place in the group the prize. Naturally, as a dual citizen of both countries, who plays in Germany, Fabian Johnson of the US was emphatic of his team's intent.

And US midfielder Kyle Beckerman recalled to all on hand the nature of the US team during World Cup qualification, playing through every match, especially at Panama, when having already qualified, the US fought back late to win, thereby eliminating the host team from a trip to Brazil, and giving Mexico the play-in lifeline, which they have used to full advantage in Brazil.

The only German player presented was Mesut Ozil of Arsenal in the English Premier League. For those of you old enough to have seen the classic comedy, Mel Brooks movie, Young Frankenstein, I quietly chuckled at the resemblance to the character Igor, played by Marty Feldman. It's the eyes (as in 'I-gor'). OK, and for you Arsenal fans, yes, I acknowledge he's a brilliant player, nonetheless.

After the press conference, the US was first on the field, and the strangest of sights for this time of year in Recife, the sun came out. The hopes were, since this was the same time of day as would be the match the next day, maybe, just maybe, we would be so lucky for similar playing conditions.

As it would turn out, nothing could have been further from the truth, but that is for the next post.

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