Locals show their team spirit during USA-Germany match in World Cup

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on June 27, 2014 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

U.S. airman Anthony Hawkins irritated his wife, Michelle, with his shiny blue cowboy hat, American flag-patterned sunglasses and Captain America shirt to root on the United States in their World Cup match against Germany on Thursday.

It's not that she was embarrassed to be seen with someone decked out in such a patriotic getup. She just happens to be German.

And she's also the reason he got into soccer.

When Hawkins met his wife while she was stationed in Germany, the sport was irrelevant to him. Her brother is a soccer coach and the family frequently threw parties with hundreds of people in her village on game day.

The enthusiasm rubbed off on Anthony.

So when the couple moved to North Carolina in December and got married, Anthony started showing interest in the United States men's national team -- much to the chagrin of his new wife.

"I don't even know if he likes (soccer)," she said.

*

Wearing a red, yellow and black flower in her hair, Michelle experienced a culture shock at East Coast Wings and Grill on Thursday afternoon. She was the lone Germany fan among 60 individuals cheering for the USA in its final match in the "Group of Death."

Anthony and Michelle, who also wore a white spaghetti-strap tank top and had German flags on painted on each cheek, sat down at the end of the bar next to Scott Ervin and his 10-year-old son, Will.

"Sorry for your bad luck today," Ervin said in jest to Michelle.

A regular at East Coast Wings, Ervin and his friends go there every Saturday to watch games. Will wore a red, white and blue top hat that frequently dropped over his eyes or lifted over his head depending on how the USA played. He, along with the rest of the American supporters, watched the game on high-definition TVs spaced throughout the bar.

The Ervins were front and center.

Everyone removed their hats during the national anthem, but it wasn't long before they were on edge.

In the eighth minute, they held their collective breath as the USA defense faltered and Tim Howard -- in his record-breaking 103rd international cap (appearance) -- made the first of several brilliant saves on the rain-soaked pitch.

Michelle slowly sipped on her drink and stayed silent, except when she occasionally blew a miniature soccer horn -- in Germany's colors -- when the team did something well.

Ervin and his friends chomped on what he described as "freedom fries with American ketchup," and stayed vocal -- but calm -- during the match. He jokingly motioned to throw a bottle of ketchup at the TV when the Germans made a nice play.

*

Fifteen minutes into the second half, the friendly banter stopped.

Germany sent a corner kick into the box and Howard made a sprawling save that drew cheers of excitement and relief from the USA supporters. But Thomas Muller collected the rebound and connected on a strike into the right corner of the net.

Ervin groans and throws up his hands in disbelief.

Germans 1, Americans 0.

The USA fans become more involved in the game, but Germany keeps possession of the ball and works to preserve its one-goal lead.

"Press and attack," one fan yells. "Get the ball back."

The USA had two final chances on goal late in stoppage time. Germany's Phillip Lahm thwarts one attempt and Clint Dempsey's header sails over the crossbar as the crowd hoped one lucky bounce would favor the Americans.

It doesn't.

The final whistle blows and Germany clinches Group G outright.

Instead of jeers, the American fans applaud their team's effort and knew the one-goal difference -- in the grand scheme of things -- turned out to be a win. The USA is in the 16-team knockout stage and plays Belgium next Tuesday.

Ervin jokes with Michelle.

"Good game over there German," he says.

Hawkins chuckles as he pays his bill and the couple leaves since Anthony needs to return to work. He heads home to change out of his fun, patriotic gear and put on the colors of a true patriot -- camouflage.