By CLYDE HABERMAN
...There was a hokey moment before the start of play when an ABC crew appeared and asked everyone for some spontaneous cheering - on cue, of course. The fans went along. "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" they chanted for the cameras, a scene about as impromptu as kabuki.
At least no one painted his face red, white and blue. It was a workday, and even on a dress-down Friday, face paint doesn't cut it. John Scafordi, an advertising executive, wore a star-spangled jersey, though. "We had a rough year," he said, meaning the country, "and we need something to root for."
For those unfamiliar with soccer at the World Cup level, it involves men running around in shorts for 90 minutes and accomplishing very little. Few goals are scored. But there are exciting moments.
Some of the best occur when a player is hit by an opponent and crumples to the ground as if shot. There he lies, poor devil, writhing in agony (and hoping for sympathy from the referees in the form of a penalty call). His teammates' job is to hold their heads in horror: oh cruel fate, striking down this splendid specimen in his prime. Sometimes, the routine works. When it doesn't, the player on the ground usually manages to make one of the faster comebacks since Lazarus.
THERE were none of those theatrics yesterday. A lot was riding on this match. Everyone in the restaurant knew it.
If the United States won, or merely played the Poles to a draw, it would automatically advance to the next World Cup round. But a loss would be dicey.
Even in defeat, the Americans could move ahead as long as South Korea beat Portugal in a match taking place at the same time in Inchon, South Korea. But the United States faced probable elimination if the Koreans also lost, or if they tied Portugal - unless they managed to lose by a margin significantly greater than the difference between the Americans and the Poles in their match.
Got all that?
No? Don't fret. Many in the restaurant also struggled to figure it out.
But after only a few minutes of play, they knew enough: America was in trouble. The underestimated Poles had scored two quick goals. An hour later, they scored yet again, putting the game out of reach. "Oh no," Mr. Pinto groaned, laying his head on the bar where he was standing.
Then a small miracle occurred. Another screen showed South Korea scoring a goal to lead Portugal, 1-0. Suddenly, it made no difference if the Americans went on to lose (which they did, 3-1). As long as the Koreans kept their lead, the United States team would live for another day.
A new chant rocked the restaurant: "Ko-re-a! Ko-re-a!" This one was spontaneous.
The Koreans indeed held on. Happy fans drifted into Times Square. Few seemed to mind that America's team did not take destiny into its own hands. It simply lucked out....
<http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/15/nyregion/15NYC.html> -- Yoshie
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