The United States began their 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage play with an incredible 2-1 win against Ghana, who knocked them out of the last two World Cups (in 2006 and 2010) by the same scoreline. After Clint Dempsey scored in just 29 seconds, the 3rd fastest goal in World Cup history, Ghana pressed hard for an equalizer and got it in the 82nd minute with Andre Ayew. Their joy would be short-lived, as 21-year-old central defender (and 2nd half injury substitute) John Brooks powered home a header off of a corner kick in the 86th minute for his first ever goal in international play to give the USA a huge win in Natal, Brazil. (Video here)
With the US beating Ghana and Portugal's 4-0 capitulation against Germany, it sets up a scenario where a US win over Portugal combined with a Germany win over Ghana would automatically advance the Americans to the round of 16, thus avoiding any potential "must win" situation against the Germans.
How does any of this relate to MMA? Well just look at Clint Dempsey on the receiving end of a head kick! Anyway, let's take a look at how a select few of MMA's most notable fighters, analysts, and media members reacted to the game:
Erik Fontanez - MMA Weekly
Jeremy Botter - Bleacher Report
Mauro Ranallo - Showtime Boxing commentator and former voice of PRIDE and Strikeforce
Guilherme Cruz - MMA Fighting
The United States plays the Portuguese on Sunday evening, while the Ghanaians battle the Germans on Saturday. It's been a crazy, goal-filled tournament thus far, and the possibility of the American team advancing past the group stage before their 3rd game would surely be considered one of the surprises of the World Cup.