US celebrates dramatic World Cup win over Ghana

Fans gather in Grant Park to watch the US play Ghana in a World Cup soccer match in Chicago, Illinois 16 June 2014Getty Images

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.

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 posted a photo to Twitter on 16 June 2014Twitter: Bill de Blasio

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio showed his team spirit on Twitter prior to the game

US soccer fans watching from the pier at Hermosa Beach, California 16 June 2014AFP

Hundreds at Hermosa Beach, California, cheered Clint Dempsey's opening goal in the first minute of the game

Soccer fans react at a viewing party at a restaurant in Pittsburgh after watching the United States score in the opening minute of play against Ghana in a World Cup soccer match in Brazil, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 16 June 2014AP

There was similar jubilation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

John BrooksReuters

John Brooks was overcome with joy after scoring the winning goal in the last five minutes

United States soccer fans sing the national anthem before the World Cup match against Ghana Lynch's Irish Pub in Jacksonville Beach, Florida 16 June 2014AP

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

Soccer fans cheer for team US as they face Ghana during the World Cup in Brazil at Jack Dempsey's bar in New York City 16 June 2014Getty Images

Jack Dempsey's bar in New York City was also packed to the rafters with USA fans

Carlos Pineda joins other fans in Grant Park to watch the US play Ghana in a World Cup soccer match in Chicago, Illinois 16 June 2014Getty Images

The game's popularity has been driven by a younger fan base - Carlos Pineda led the cheers in Chicago

Joe Biden with Clint Dempsey and Marcus BeasleyUS Soccer

Vice-President Joe Biden congratulated the team in the dressing room, here with USA hero Clint Dempsey (left)

Fans of the United States cheer during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas in Natal, Brazil 16 June 2014Getty Images

Americans are among the top ticket buyers in Brazil's World Cup, second behind host country Brazil

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