2014 World Cup Wrap-Up

Millions of Americans tuned into the 2014 World Cup, breaking all kinds of viewership records in the U.S.

With a little from help from USMNT Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann… 

Need note to get out of work Thurs? @J_Klinsmann has you covered. Show your cool boss. It will def work! #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/i2oCZmGAGZ

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 25, 2014

and politicians, like Gov. Andrew Cuomo… 

#USA, NYS stands strongly behind you. I'm approving an extra hour for lunch today: http://t.co/5G0ys3Zo2E #USAvGER pic.twitter.com/2TVnzqbY1A

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 26, 2014

U.S. soccer fans embraced the football culture of the world, in a way that they haven’t ever before. 

Soldier Field is rockin' for the #USAvBEL viewing party. #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/KC4QtCy3FR

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) July 1, 2014

Across the usa ppl stopped in the middle of a work day to watch…a soccer game! The excitement on @NBCNightlyNews pic.twitter.com/YGw9rSx3NV

— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) June 26, 2014

Dupont Circle, before and after #USAvsGermany pic.twitter.com/sTLnyhNSjV

— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 26, 2014

Even Morning Joe had a World Cup viewing party of our own. 

.@Morning_Joe rooftop lunch/dinner break. #worldcup2014 pic.twitter.com/3GY2s6Y957

— laura kim (@mslaurakim) June 26, 2014

ESPN Soccer Analyst and Grantland’s Men in Blazers Host Roger Bennett had the honor of experiencing the World Cup on the sidelines in Brazil. He gives us his top 3 moments of the beautiful game. 

3. Brazil’s national anthem

Anytime Brazil sang the national anthem, the makeup women in production facility at ESPN would all just start crying in the back of the room, and you’d realize just how much the World Cup, the football, that team, and ultimately, their failure meant to the nation.

2. Germany’s World Cup win

There’s an English pundit who says, “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two people run around the field, and at the end, Germany always wins.” And it’s very, very true.

 1. Clint Dempsey’s goal against Ghana

There was so much excitement, so much fear, so much nervousness, so much joy around this American team. To see them take the field and eradicate all doubt all within 30 seconds against Ghana – I will never forget that memory.