This evening the US faced Turkey, the third ranked team in the world. With little chance of winning, the US objective was to limit the goal differential so as to maximize our chances of qualifying for the elimination rounds.  Turkey took little time to demonstrate why they are so highly ranked with a goal in the first minute and then a second before the end of the first half.  They started the second half with another before Nico provided the first US goal, a beautiful header off a corner kick (see full sequence below).  Turkey responded twice more to deliver the final 5-1 result.

The outcome was not unexpected but the goal margin placed us in a tie break situation (prioritization criteria: goal differential, goals against, card points, flip of a coin) for advancing to the elimination round.  Unfortunately, we had two yellow cards to Ireland’s one which allowed them to advance and us to enter the consolation bracket. Truly heartbreaking.

I don’t believe you will find a more friendly and welcoming people than Mexicans. They have treated us like family from the moment we arrived. This morning the team visited a local kindergarten school to meet with the students and deliver presents purchased with donations collected in the US.  As has been my habit all week, I elected to walk rather than take the bus.  Unfortunately, Google Maps directed me to the wrong school, three miles in the opposite direction. The guard there let me in and the school’s Director explained I was at the wrong place.  I apologized for the interruption and told them I would simply walk back to my hotel.  Fifteen minutes into my journey, a van pulled up with the Director and a driver she had located to take me to the correct school.  There, I captured some of my favorite portraits as well as many of the team interacting with the students.