From the moment last December's World Cup draw was finalized, the 16th of June was a day that was circled on the calendars of scores of US fans for an intriguing myriad of reasons. Indeed, it was the day of the United States' debut in Brazil, but of course the relevance was always going to be much deeper than that. In facing Ghana, it was a chance to exorcise an old demon, and in battling in perhaps the toughest group at this year's World Cup, it was undeniably the Americans' most clear-cut chance to get three very vital points when points would be at a premium.
On such a stage, against such an old foe, and against such a physically imposing side, perhaps this was never going to be the most attractive soccer clinic. Ultimately, maybe that wound up being just as well.
If we were to be at our most critical and cynical following the events of last night, we would be left to lament much of what we saw out of Klinsmann's charges in their blighted attempts to go forward. As enterprising and beautiful as the construction of Clint Dempsey's goal was after merely 29 seconds, it was to be a cruel tease for a run of play that never came--often at the USA's making. Yes, Ghana was always going to ask several questions of the United States' defensive fortitude, but the Americans did little to relieve this pressure thanks to far too many failed attempts to play very directly to Jozy Altidore (before his injury) and a fulcrum in Michael Bradley who was as far off of his typical game as we have ever seen him in a US shirt. Simply put, it was far from a display for the faint of heart.
Alas, lamenting such realities too severely would cast an undeserved pall upon a fateful night that gave us yet another dramatic and seminal moment in American soccer lore. For all of their failings and inadequacies in craft, the United States put themselves about and forth as the very personification of the traits and ideals that Americans so exalt. Even in being less than clinical, that revered spirit, energy and resolve conspired to make victory possible. To say it was all hands on deck would be an understatement.
And who were two of the main figures who served as the most shining examples of American spirit last night? Fatefully and appropriately, it was Jermaine Jones and John Brooks, two of the German-Americans who have been criticized by some for somehow not being American enough. Yes, others, such as a Kyle Beckerman, are deserving of praise as well, but in seeing Jones' commitment through ninety hard-fought minutes and Brooks' pure emotion after scoring the American winner only minutes from time, we need not question just what it means for them to pull on the US shirt.
It was warlike, bloody and sometimes teetering on violent, but we can take solace in having done enough to grab three of the most vital points we could ever imagine. Still, improvements will have to come if progress from this group is to follow.
But between now and Sunday, let us not analyze this game too much, if at all. Instead, let this one exist in its own special bubble built upon bliss and pride. After all, this multicultural group that so represents just what a contemporary America truly looks like in the 21st century has given us every reason to hope, dream and believe.
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