After the final group G games were finished, USA qualified for the round of 16 knockout phase, along with Germany, while Portugal and Ghana are going home.
Going into today’s games I knew Portugal was most likely going home, despite having their chances to over turn a 4 goal deficit. Before the draw last December, I was hoping, HOPING, that Portugal and USA wouldn’t end up in the same group, not just because it meant more days off for me at work, but more importantly I didn’t want to choose between the country of my birth and the country where my family immigrated from. If you know a Portuguese person, you know that we are fiercely loyal and proud of our country, to not forget where we came from and what we have accomplished in history. But I am also proud to be American, proud that my parents choose to come here when they had other options like France, England, Switzerland, Germany, or wherever around the world Portuguese people immigrated to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kDiFqbqVJQ
I want to see both countries do well and move on, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen. For 7 months I dreaded that Portugal vs USA game. At the end I am disappointed to see Portugal go home early, bothered to hear people say Portugal is overrated (I don’t argue with people when I do hear this), because I know they are much better than what they showed, just didn’t happen. Its over now, for the next days Portuguese people will argue with each other, second guessing the team managers player selections, starting line up, where will the next generation of players come from, should the manager be fired etc……..
Meanwhile I will be looking forward to the next USA game, which will be most likely Belgium (currently 3:30pm as I am writing this). The world cup does continue for me as a fan cheering on the country of my birth. Depending on the timing I will be at the Greyhound Pub in canal district with my USA scarf.
