The first week of the 2014 World Cup group stage has been fantastic, with just two games failing to register a goal. Surprises have been around every corner, as upsets (Costa Rica over Uruguay) and complete drubbings (The Netherlands' five-goal performance over Spain) have highlighted excellent play.
Several places have published great links to read, watch or play with, which we have organized for you below. Check them out.
- Interactive New York Times feature where users have to guess where the ball has been removed from a World Cup photo.
- An American in Brazil: An MLSsoccer.com feature where the writer ends up in... Guyana?
- A World Cup Fan's Guide to Accepting Refereeing Decisions in Your Favor over at Grantland
- The World Cup as passionate abstract from The Classical
- Group G: Group of Press by RealGM writer and Portlander Yu Miyagawa
On Monday, things got even better for soccer fans in the U.S. as the men's national team notched three points against rival Ghana in an exciting win, 2-1. Things kicked off strong right out of the gate, as striker Clint Dempsey put home a beatiful goal in the first minute to set the tone for the match.
The U.S. allowed Ghana to equalize in the 82', but a John Brooks header off a corner four minutes later put the boys in red, white and blue up for good. The match left many wondering on social media just who Brooks, a German-born 21-year-old defender who has played his entire senior career with Hertha BSC, was after becoming the new national sporting savior.
But just who is this John Brooks? U.S. Soccer has more:
Members of the Timbers organization were home watching the match, and took to twitter to express their excitement over the USMNT win.
Of course, around the web there were other similarly enthusiastic reactions. Portland's own KGW were broadcasting live from the World Cup Beer Garden on NW 21st when the U.S. scored the game-winning goal.
Finally, Jimmy Conrad hits Brazil with KICKTV. Need we say more?
What will the next few games bring?
