Rustenburg, South Africa – The Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg provided a fitting venue for the hotly-anticipated clash between the so-called inventors of the game, England, and a USA side boasting a growing global reputation.
The two pre-tournament favorites to progress from Group C vied in a setting that was as atmospheric and all-together African as the organizers could have wished for.
With a faint fragrance of campfire smoke filling the cool night air, fans mingled and made merry in what was a party atmosphere in rural South Africa.
Fans of the USA soccer team are often derided by supporters of nations that boast a richer history of competiton; but though their team have yet to win a major trophy, the passion shown by their followers is up there with the best of them.
Americans turned out en masse in all manner of costumes to represent for their team: from the man dressed as Captain America to the brave barechested chaps covered in face paint, the color and camaraderie was compelling.
Not that England fans were completely lacking in creativity as notable examples, such as the fan who made a hat resplendent with vuvuzelas and another group who dressed up as the royal family, proved.
