Olympic Dreams!! Games 11 and 12

Game 11 Canada vs Cuba:

After showering off the shaving cream, a few birthdays and lost lunches, we were back on the road to Nashville. While we were gone El Salvador beat Cuba, and Canada beat The United States. So the US head into this match in a must win situation. They currently sit in third place with only 3 points and what looks like, if Canada beats Cuba, a showdown with Mexico in the semi finals if they win tonight. Not the ideal situation.


We arrive to the stadium after the drive form Dayton to Nashville. We grab our seats in the supporters section to watch the game. At kick off Canada seems to be dominating and Cuba looks tired, but are holding their own. The stadium is not that full, but fans keep piling in, and we immediately notice that the ushers are assigning seats to everyone.

This quickly become a concern for two reasons, first we have general admission tickets, second they seem to be mixing El salvaodr fans and the American supporters. So in order to quickly confront the situation Shawn asks the usher what was going on. This didn't turn out good and resulted in an escorted walk to the box office for further clarification since the usher tells us that now only the first 12 rows are general admission. After a brief discussion it is clear that the staff has no idea what is going on and we are sent back to the stands with orders that we have the first 18 rows. Not wanting to miss anymore of the match we sit back down more confused than before, but 100% aware that with the amount of soccer stadiums in the US there is no longer a need to hold matches at NFL stadiums.

We settle back into the game which Canada is still dominating which leads to a goal half through the first half. The score stands at half time and the anticipation of the US match starts to build. The second half is more of the same but Cuba are creating chances. The AO March arrives singing Cuba chants. Every fan in the stadium knows the standings and the needed results for the US to qualify.

Cuba is still hanging in there but fatigue is clearly a factor and they pick up two quick yellow cards. The stadium now is filling up fast and the Cuba chants are getting louder. Then in the 90th minute Cuba puts one in! Both the US supporters and a few Cuba supporters erupt! A well deserved goal for Cuba's team they did fight hard. And hope for the US.




Game 12 USA vs. El Salvador:

This is it! A must win game for the US. a tie sends them home, a win now puts them into first first place which they would not face Mexico until the finals. This is the biggest match with the most on the line that we have been to in this challenge.

The whistle blows for kick off and both teams come out offensively. Quickly Terrance Boyd puts in a goal in the second minute. A smile and a small hint of relief comes over us and the supporters. The US continue to dominate, El Salvador do not look as good as they did against Cuba, but maybe that is due to the possesion that the US is having. El Salvador is starting to get frustrated and draw two yellow cards.

Then it all changed. Bill Hamid gets hurt, he calls for a sub. The US fans start chanting his name, telling him to walk it off but it is clear that he is injured. Goal El Salvador; the stadium goes crazy. it is clear that they came out to support and out number the US fans once again. Boom! Another goal for El Salvador. It is clear Hamid needs to come out which he eventually does. but the damage is done. Down 2-1 at the half.


There were no changes at the half, the US continue to dominate but both teams have their chances. The supporters are singing Jay's Freddie Adu chant. Then in the 65th minute, Freddie plays a beautiful ball to Terrance Boyd who puts it home. Tied 2-2. A few minutes later Carona puts another into the back of the net. 3-2! Come on boys you can do it! Nearing 90 the US start subbing to waste time, and they attempt to hold the ball at the corner flag to try to kill out the clock. El Salvador counters, goal!!!
Dreams realized for one team; lost for another.