To most, heading into World Cup 2014 in Brazil, the USA didn’t stand a chance of getting out of the group stage. Chances aside, the U.S. plays tomorrow against heavily-favored Germany, with a spot in the knock-out stage on the line. Click here to see scenarios that will have the U.S. advancing.
If you're superstitious, then perhaps the stars are aligning for the USA. On this day 64 years ago, the U.S. beat England 1-0 in a World Cup match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The victory was called the “Miracle on Green” as the United States, a team of amateurs sprinkled with mill workers, dishwashers and teachers outlasted an English side that had a record of 23-4-3. It is considered one of the greatest World Cup upsets of all time.
In the match, the England dominated the affair - but U.S. goalkeeper Frank Borghi (a former minor league catcher who drove a hearse in St. Louis) saved the day, stopping everything that came his way. The United States withstood the onslaught and, with less than ten minutes to go in the first half, Haitian-born forward Joe Gaetjens scored on a diving header. The U.S. shut England out for the rest of the match.
FIFA put together this video profiling the game, which is worth a watch:
It was the United States' only victory at the World Cup as neither team made it out of the group.
Tomorrow, the United States play in Recife instead of Belo Horizonte, but the similarity is still spine tingling. Currently (according to Bleacher Report), German odds to win are at 2/3, while U.S. odds are at 9/1. A draw is listed at 2/1. Tomorrow, it will be 64 years and a day since the “Miracle on Green” and, just maybe, the United States can channel some of the magic that happened at Belo Horizonte in Recife.
Goal scorer Joe Gaetjens being carried off after the victory. (Photo: @JanAageFjortoft | Twitter)
