US celebrates dramatic World Cup win over Ghana
- Published
Thousands of fans gathered in Chicago's Grant Park to watch the game
It's not a country renowned for its love of "soccer" but football fans across the US celebrated a last-gasp win against the team's World Cup nemesis, Ghana.
John Brooks headed in a late winner for USA in a dramatic finale to their opening Group G game in Natal.
It went a long way towards making amends for being knocked out by Ghana in the last two World Cups.
Supporters across the US planned to party well into the night.
"It's a great moment," Brooks said of the win.
US team captain Clint Dempsey - who scored the fastest goal in his nation's World Cup history at 29 seconds in - heralded the victory.
"Everybody played their hearts out."
Team fans streamed jubilantly into New York's city streets after the game, cheering loudly.
"It's like a Who concert and a Beatles concert combined," celebrant James Cannon told the New York Post, external.
Fan Julianne Naso was one of hundreds gathered at a New York sports bar to watch the game.
"People erupted after that first goal," she told the newspaper. "We have some momentum now. Hopefully, we keep it going."
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio showed his team spirit on Twitter prior to the game
Hundreds at Hermosa Beach, California, cheered Clint Dempsey's opening goal in the first minute of the game
There was similar jubilation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
John Brooks was overcome with joy after scoring the winning goal in the last five minutes
The US hosted the World Cup 20 years ago, and football has taken off since then, although it's still not as popular as other major US sports
Jack Dempsey's bar in New York City was also packed to the rafters with USA fans
The game's popularity has been driven by a younger fan base - Carlos Pineda led the cheers in Chicago
Vice-President Joe Biden congratulated the team in the dressing room, here with USA hero Clint Dempsey (left)
Americans are among the top ticket buyers in Brazil's World Cup, second behind host country Brazil
- Attribution
- Published17 June 2014
