Soccer Fever Heating Up As Team USA Takes On Ghana In World Cup
DETROIT (WWJ) - Team USA takes on Ghana at 6 p.m. Monday in the first group of the World Cup.
While it may have been a slow simmer, WWJ's Ron Dewey reports metro Detroiters are starting to get caught up in the excitement.
Jim Stachurca, General Manager of George's Soccer Supply in Southfield, said the buzz over the World Cup happened sooner than expected:
"It actually started last Monday, people asking for jerseys, t-shirts, bracelets, scarves in the middle of the summer," said Stachurca.
He said in Europe tradition holds that every team has a supporter scarf:
"It has a logo on there, it has a catchphrase that they use - team mascots - for some reason over here in the summertime, same just like in Europe, it didn't make a big difference," he said.
Statchura expects soccer's popularity to grow, with fans who work at automotive companies from overseas as well as those who played as kids.
Team USA has lost to Ghana in two previous meetings and it's possible that's given members of the Ghana team the courage to step over the line and make guarantees.
NO WAY WE LOSE TO U.S.
After knocking the US out in two consecutive World Cups, Ghana feels it has the momentum going into Monday's Group G clash in Natal. In fact, the Black Stars midfielder Andre Ayew said that if his team is healthy, there's no way Ghana doesn't walk away with three points.
"I think if you are a team and you lose twice versus a country, say Ghana, as in 2006 and 2010, if you have the opportunity to meet them in 2014, I think you do everything to beat them. … We have won twice, and as we say, there is no two without three so we want to try and beat them for the third time. We know it is going to be very difficult. They are prepared but we are also prepared. We are not thinking about what the US side can do. I believe in all our players. I believe in the group. If we are fit and we are all 100 percent, there is no way that we aren't going to win this game."
Catch more of the pre-game interview with Ayew [HERE]