World Cup Update : Constellations favour American advance
Apparently, World Cup football has a great deal in common with the Age of Aquarius. If the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then the United States can find its game and other circumstances align to assure the squad’s success. If the stars, planets, and tides do not fall into their proper configurations, referees become recalcitrant and the new high-tech Adidas World Cup ball takes-on a life of its own.
On Wednesday, the heavens harmonized and the United States found its game. The American side came back from the threshold of elimination, notching a 1-0 win over Algeria and advancing to the round of sixteen. Not only did the Americans win their game; they also won Group C outright, putting up more points than contenders England and Slovenia. England finished second in the group, moving on with the Americans.
The game was a nail-biter. Going into the game, the United States needed a win or a draw between the British and Slovenians to stay in the Tournament. Even the optimistic odds-makers would not risk giving the advantage to either side. While the Americans and Algerians skirmished, the England side went up 1-0 on Slovenia, meaning that the Americans faced “win or go home.” At half-time, United States Coach Bradley tightened-up the defence. Just after the fifty-sixth minute, Bradley revved-up the offense. In the ninety-first minute, Landon Donovan awakened from a game-long snooze, finding the ball and the goal, scoring the game-winner.
Record internet traffic during the games
Just as the planets ominously, fortuitously aligned and the Americans discovered their offense, American football fans discovered their passion for the world’s favourite sport. Crowding Twitter with searches for updates, American subscribers crashed the 140-charcter system; they similarly crowded all the World Cup portals almost to the point of over-load, setting a one-day internet traffic record in the process. Similarly, early readings from major North American television markets showed the highest-ever weekday World Cup ratings.
