World Cup Update: June 16th

Date: June 16, 2014

By John Fanta

It is safe to say that coming into the World Cup, the US was facing criticism. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said himself that it is "not realistic" to expect the United States to win the World Cup. Monday, the criticism and the talk got shut down by John Brooks. The substitute for Michael Besler, who exited at the half with a hamstring injury, scored in the 86^th minute to give the US the eventual game-winning goal. The score came after Andre Ayew knotted up the game, receiving a pass in the left side of the box and hitting a score past Tim Howard. But just as the US started, they finished. Clint Dempsey came up with the spark just 29 seconds in, scoring the fastest goal in American history.

Audio Story: https://soundcloud.com/89-5-wsou-sports/john-brooks-gives-us-game

The US sits atop the leaderboard in Group G with the first games for each group ending on Tuesday. Germany won 4-0 over a perplexing Portugal team, as they are with the Yankees at the top. Portugal will be without star Pepe, who received a red card after unsportsmanlike conduct in Monday's blowout loss. The US and Portugal get underway at 6 p.m. in Brazil on Sunday as play in the Group of Death rolls on.

Here's everything you need to know through five days:

Posted in: Sports, From the Stands, WSOU