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One full week has gone by and I can honestly say this is the GREATEST WORLD CUP EVER.
There have been upsets (like Costa Rica representing CONCACAC in style) and comebacks (like Japan getting Drogbaād). There have been stunning early exits from past champs (thanks for playing, Spain!) and upstart teams making the most of rare World Cup appearances (nice work, Colombia). There have been world-renowned stars doing world-class things (Messi!), word-renowned stars breaking World Cup droughts (Rooney!) and world-renowned stars returning from injury just in the nick of time (Suarez!). There have been breakout stars (Colombiaās James Rodriguez) and unlikely heroes (our favorite German-American John Brooks). There has been the closest thing youāll see to a buzzer beater in soccer (thanks, Switzerland and Ecuador) and even damn exciting scoreless draws (thanks, Mexico and Brazil).
But, above all else, there have been goals. People that donāt like soccer like to point to the sportās lack of scoring as a reason why ā but this tournament is shaping up to be the highest-scoring World Cup ever. And many of the goals have been dramatic and beautiful. Here now is a list of our five favorite goals to this point:
5. USAās Clint Dempsey vs. Ghana
American bias? Perhaps. But the three touches the U.S. captain makes are brilliant and his finish is a perfect one. And donāt act like you didnāt jump off your couch screaming when this goal happened in the first minute of the game.
4. Costa Ricaās Oscar Duarte vs. Uruguay
There have been a lot of great headers for goals in this tournament but this one is certainly one of the best ā not only because it was the game-winner in Costa Ricaās massive upset over Uruguay but because a defenderās foot was practically in his face when he dove for the ball.
3. Ivory Coastās Gervinho vs. Colombia
Who doesnāt like a bit of individual dribbling brilliance? Thatās exactly what Gervinho did against Colombia, splitting a couple of defenders and dancing around another one before scoring a beauty to the near post.
2. Netherlandsā Robin Van Persie vs. Spain
Most people would have tried to settle this long ball. Most people are not Robin Van Persie, who opted to fly instead.
1. Australiaās Tim Cahill vs. Netherlands
The force and precision behind this one-time volley is hard to fathom. One of the greatest goalsĀ youāll ever see. And I hear this guy plays in MLS.
AndĀ since this is purportedly a local blog, we should also highlight the goal from Colombiaās James Rodriguez against Ivory Coast because it led to an epic dance party on the Colombia sideline ā led by none other than ageless former Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon. (Look for the guy right next to James, who then tries to go for a piggy-back ride on him). Also, great call from former Union forward and color man Alejandro Moreno, whoās been calling the Colombia forward James āDonāt call me Jamesā Rodriguez. (You have to listen to it to get it.)
One last sorta local story: former NBA star Rip Hamilton ā our favorite native son from Coatesville ā is on his way to Brazil to give one his signature masks to Dempsey, who broke his nose in the last game. Ā Gotta love that American solidarity.
World Cup 2014 after one week: high drama, beautiful goals, a former Union goalie dancing and Rip to the rescue One full week has gone by and I can honestly say this is the GREATEST WORLD CUP EVER.
