Here’s How USA Soccer Fans Reacted to Abby Wambach’s Game-Tying Goal Against Brazil
This is a collection of reactions to the Abby Wambach goal that sent yesterday’s USA-Brazil game into overtime. It is the sequel to the Landon Donovan goal reaction shot video.
Most of the reaction videos are awesome. Socially lubricated sports fans are bound to let out a cry of relief when their team scores. I love those videos. They’re pure emotion.
That’s why it disappoints me when the obviously-staged home reaction shots are included. I don’t believe these grown men and teenagers really feel like running the house screaming “Wooo!”
Now, one of my favorite bars, Wolff’s Biergarten in Albany, is featured in both videos. I’ve been to Wolff’s during big soccer games and the crowd gets noisy, just like at any other bar in American while the U.S.A. is playing in any international competition. People get drunk and cheer and boo and chant U-S-A. At our best, most of us are still just a bunch of dummies. It’s fun. It’s natural. It’s the kind of thing happens when you combine alcohol and large crowds and sports. It’s on the other end of the spectrum from RIOT.
I watched both goals alone. For the Donovan goal, I was in a college commuter lounge waiting to play basketball. For the Wambach goal, I was sitting in my bedroom at my computer, tweeting horribly clever things. (Follow me @CRM_Stephen!) I was into both games and rooting for the Red, White and Blue like Ronald Reagan would want me to. When Donovan scored, I did a little fist pump. I might have even said, “Yes!” Same for the Wambach goal. They were two awesome sports moments.
I did not turn my iPhone’s video camera on and run around screaming like an asshole. Because that’s not how people react naturally. I really don’t get the point of trying to become a YouTube star by looking like an idiot. That should be something you do accidentally when you don’t know you’re being recorded.

- LeBron James’ Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- Paul George Hit a Ridiculous 3 to Send it Into Overtime After Throwing the Ball Away Moments Earlier [Video]
- Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- Shane Battier Kneed Roy Hibbert in the Balls [Video]
- Chuck Norris Wants a NFL Team to Sign Tim Tebow Because He is a Winner Like Chuck Norris

- Quietgoesthedon on LeBron James' Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- knifeyspoony on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- wildcat1144 on LeBron James' Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- resolutedefense on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- resolutedefense on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
51 Responses to “Here’s How USA Soccer Fans Reacted to Abby Wambach’s Game-Tying Goal Against Brazil”
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July 11th, 2011 at 5:51 PM
that sounds a little sad after reading about people being social and watching the game together.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Who are these people with cameras sitting on their televisions recording them? My standard at home watching sports celebration includes standing up, a fist pump and walking to the fridge for another drink.
It really is more a celebration of an excuse to have another drink.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Seriously though, who videos themselves watching TV ?
July 11th, 2011 at 5:52 PM
I’m going to start recording the person who is recording the crowd who is watching the game.
/mind blowing
July 11th, 2011 at 5:53 PM
The fuck are you talking about?
/Mark Burnett.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:54 PM
BUNK BEDS, MOTHERFUCKER!!!
/I remember them from our ill-fated video chat.
//Chatroulette is decidedly less creepy.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:54 PM
/grabs iphone
//deletes video of myself popping champagne bottles, making it rain, shooting my gun in the air and then doing 3 lines and leaning back shouting wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
July 11th, 2011 at 5:56 PM
I did this back in 2001 after the bloop single landed. I was watching the game with 6 yankee fans so it was completely justifiable.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:56 PM
I was streaming the Donovan goal at work, and I was watching the Wambach goal with my girl on the couch. I think letting out a loud YES! was about all either consisted of.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:56 PM
Best be sabering that shit.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:57 PM
So is this the thought process that must go on in someones head to do this: “Let’s videotape ourselves watching ourselves for the entire game, in the off chance there’s a last second goal and we all look excited. Then maybe we’ll be youtube famous for a week. Fin.”
July 11th, 2011 at 5:58 PM
My 2008 self would disagree. You would have thought I was an ADD-riddled little kid on a severe sugar rush when Santonio caught that pass.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Best be sabering that shit.
I want to try that so badly.
July 11th, 2011 at 5:58 PM
BSanders watching Oz is Must See TV.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:01 PM
Too soon ?
July 11th, 2011 at 6:01 PM
bar reactions >> at home reactions
Some of those were painful to watch.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:01 PM
It is fun. Not to hard either.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:01 PM
If you watch the tv on some of those, it’s not the Wambach goal. It’s actually the last penalty kick that won it for USA, so it makes a little more sense that someone would record it.
I was driving back from a wedding yesterday so I didn’t get to watch any of us this live, and I was at work when Donovan scored against Algeria, watching it on my laptop but unable to really celebrate without letting everyone know I had been watching it on Telemundo online for the last 2 hours instead of working.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:02 PM
This will always be my favorite 2:43 of video. I agree. Nothing sums up the end of 43 years of pain and embarrassment like that.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Want to try too, just saw a youtube video on it, it looks easy. Just find the seam of the bottle and you’re good.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:02 PM
It is fun. Not to hard either.
All I need is a saber and a $200 bottle of champagne.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Yeah those aren’t all of the Wambach goal. The Austin one and Albany ones are obviously the last penalty kick. Would have liked to see what those bars looked like during the Wambach goal.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:09 PM
I’m in the process of opening a wine bar and have everything you need to practice, practice, practice. You want that on your Mastercard, Visa, Amex Centurion?
July 11th, 2011 at 6:17 PM
These are videos people make to try and justify soccer’s popularity. Look what happens when playing a game where scoring is rare! When it involves your country! When the game is won in the last second! It’s relevant! We swear! People were watching in a bar!
July 11th, 2011 at 6:18 PM
I did not turn my iPhone’s video camera on and run around screaming like an asshole.
I didn’t record myself but I did jump around screaming like an asshole when Donovan scored. That was awesome!
And I was glad I was by myself.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:18 PM
This or Gladiators?
(looks around bar)
Gladiators.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:20 PM
These are videos people make to try and justify soccer’s popularity. Look what happens when playing a game where scoring is rare! When it involves your country! When the game is won in the last second! It’s relevant! We swear! People were watching in a bar!
I disagree. Those are videos people make because they like making them.
Now they’re easier to make during World Cups because they’re international tourneys and even the biggest soccer-hater can get behind Team USA (or their respective tribal affiliation). You don’t see this when Arsenal face Manchester United or Celtic meet Rangers or any regular big soccer game.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:20 PM
+1 Holy Schnikes
July 11th, 2011 at 6:20 PM
NFL Lockout + NBA Lockout = Women’s Soccer popularity “Through the Roof”!!!!!
July 11th, 2011 at 6:22 PM
Well, I agree with this too. But it seems like the reaction videos are more predominant in soccer and played or referenced more often by soccer snobs… on my facebook.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:23 PM
I read this in Peter King voice.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Well, I agree with this too. But it seems like the reaction videos are more predominant in soccer and played or referenced more often by soccer snobs… on my facebook.
Small sample size?
July 11th, 2011 at 6:29 PM
I remember seeing all kinds of Red Sox fan reaction videos during their epic comeback to take down the Evil Empire a few years ago. You might just think there are more of them because they’re so fresh. We’re talking about two great moments that happened in back to back years. But how many of these were making rounds prior to that? If the Miracle on Ice happened today, instead of 1980, don’t you think you’d be seeing the same amount of reaction videos? I would say even more.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Well, I agree with this too. But it seems like the reaction videos are more predominant in soccer and played or referenced more often by soccer snobs… on my facebook.
Small sample size?
I recall the videos that popped up during the NFL playoffs of fans at home and bars screaming when Tracy Porter picked off Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. I think it’s a rather common thing to see now in our Youtube/social media world.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:31 PM
Nahh. Cold wars over man.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:33 PM
Is there a reaction video of women reacting to the Casey Anthony verdict? I would watch the shit out of that.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:36 PM
Shit – you guys win. Maybe I’m jaded because I also tried to watch an MLS game after watching the USWNT and that was definitely contrived. It soured my opinion and has affected my commenting status. I need help. The only cure is not to watch soccer. Somehow, I think I will survive.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:37 PM
oh yes. There would be some psycho Stepford Wives shit going down
July 11th, 2011 at 6:39 PM
as much as I enjoy soccer, 95% of MLS games blow dead bear. Way too many draws this year. Terrible offense
July 11th, 2011 at 6:39 PM
These videos are all the rage nowadays. Regardless of the sport, I can go to youtube and type in “packers superbowl reaction” and spend countless hours going thru similar videos. It just annoys you because you don’t like soccer. Which is totally understandable. I pick out every little thing I can to justify my hatred of baseball or college sports. I love these soccer videos. And on the flip side, i HATE all sorts of baseball reaction videos.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:41 PM
I bet you love to watch old female German weightlifters videos though, yes?
July 11th, 2011 at 6:42 PM
no.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:43 PM
I love watching women’s volleyball.
/team tall girls
July 11th, 2011 at 6:43 PM
ritty… To get you started, try sticking to the national competitions, the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga where the talent is much better. ESPN has decent PL coverage, but if you get Fox Soccer Channel (PL, Serie A) and/or Gol TV (La Liga/Bundesliga) you can see much better soccer which might actually get you to enjoy it more.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:45 PM
give it up, broccoli. No reason selling the sport. You either like it or you don’t.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:47 PM
I love that ESPN shows EPL games at 7:30 on a Saturday morning. When I worked overnights, I’d get home about 730 and watch a match before going to bed
July 11th, 2011 at 6:59 PM
I admire it in stints. I watch some Premier League when it’s on. I think I need to go over there, watch a game, pick a team, and that will help.
July 11th, 2011 at 8:31 PM
@rittyrich: what do mean contrived when you reference the Timbers-Sounders game? I agree that the broadcasts oversell the atmosphere of it all but it isn’t contrived in the sense that the Timbers Army was and is a grassroots organization independent of the actual team management.
July 11th, 2011 at 10:06 PM
That video was so disappointing compared the ‘realness’ of the Donovan one. The first half of the video was all staged and pretty much the definition of FAIL. And if all you did on the Donovan goal was a small fist pump then you are the guy trying to act cooler than all the people on that first video. You’re cool, guy. Oh yeah, and just because you deserve it: Cool story, bro!
July 11th, 2011 at 10:11 PM
I couldn’t care less about the WWC, it’s sort of at the same level as MLS with me.
For those struggling watching MLS, I can relate. I’ve tried watching it to satisfy my soccer needs in the European off-season, but it isn’t cutting it. I can sit down and watch just about any EPL or La Liga game and enjoy whoever is on, but I definitely can’t say that about MLS.
July 12th, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Watching tv?