Americans aren’t known worldwide for their love of soccer, but rather for their love of winning. The two combined on June 16 when the U.S. national team beat Ghana 2-1 in their opening match of the World Cup. Clint Dempsey scored less than a minute into the game and Ghana later fought back with a goal of their own. But it was 21-year-old defender John Brooks‘ goal in the 86th minute—on a header from a corner kick—that led his team to victory and, at least for one night, to win the hearts and minds of U.S. fans.
Soccer fans of the U.S. national soccer team cheer minutes before a live broadcast of the soccer World Cup match between USA and Ghana, inside the FIFA Fan Fest area in Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2014. Leo Correa—APMichelle Lopez, 14, (R) watches the 2014 Brazil World Cup soccer match between Ghana and the U.S. at a viewing party in Hermosa Beach, Cailf. on June 16, 2014. Lucy Nicholson—ReutersA fan of the U.S. national soccer team celebrates a victory during a live broadcast of the soccer World Cup match between the Unites States and Ghana, on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2014. Leo Correa—APFans cheer during the 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match between Ghana and the U.S. at a viewing party in Hermosa Beach, California on June 16, 2014. Lucy Nicholson—ReutersUnited States fans cheer prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil.Jamie McDonald—Getty ImagesAn American soccer fan waits for his team to play against Ghana at the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest on Copacabana beach on June 16, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro. Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesAmerican soccer fans react to their team beating Ghana 2-1 as they watch on a large screen at the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest on Copacabana beach on June 16, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro. Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesA fan of the U.S. national soccer team celebrates his team's victory during a live broadcast of the soccer World Cup match between the Unites States and Ghana, inside the FIFA Fan Fest area on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2014. Leo Correa—APU.S. soccer fans celebrate at the end of the 2014 World Cup soccer match between U.S. and Ghana, in Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2014. Pilar Olivares—ReutersAmerican soccer fans wait for their team to play against Ghana at the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest on Copacabana beach on June 16, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesU.S. soccer fans react as they watch the 2014 World Cup soccer match between U.S. and Ghana, which is broadcast on a large screen at Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2014. Pilar Olivares—ReutersU.S. soccer fans react as they watch the 2014 World Cup soccer match between U.S. and Ghana on a large screen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2014. Pilar Olivares—ReutersAmerican soccer fans react to their team beating Ghana 2-1 as they watch on a large screen at the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest on Copacabana beach on June 16, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Joe Raedle—Getty Images
