Did you take off from work or school today to watch the USA take on Germany in the World Cup? If so, you might want to reconsider your decision. Because according to those who are stationed down in the Brazilian city of Recife right now, there is a chance that the match might be postponed later today due to torrential downpours and flooding that have made it nearly impossible to navigate the city and wreaked havoc on the field that the U.S. and Germany are set to play on.
At the moment, there are quite a few members of the media and U.S. soccer fans on Twitter sharing photos of the scene in Recife—and it doesn't look good. At best, U.S. and German fans are going to have a hell of a time getting to Arena Pernambuco today to see the two teams square off. In fact, U.S. Soccer has already sent out this tweet urging fans to "travel safe" and to leave, like, now in order to get to the game on time:
#USMNT fans headed to Arena Pernambuco for #USAvGER, plan for lengthy delays due to the rain. Travel safe. #LetsDoThis #1N1T
But at worst, the USA/Germany match could be postponed. The referees for the game and FIFA officials are expected to evaluate the pitch at Arena Pernambuco about an hour before the scheduled first kick to see what kind of condition it's in. And if the conditions aren't good, the match might not be played.
We'll be sure to provide you with updates throughout the morning to let you know whether or not the game between the USA and Germany will take place. While you wait, check out some of the tweets and Instagram videos that we've come across this morning showing the streets of Recife covered in water. It looks like a real mess out there right now and we hope that everyone stays safe.
#USA need to stay above water to beat #GER tonight. Heavy floods in Recife. Hope players can swim! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/EgxPyfvq0A
Six inches of rain have fallen in Recife overnight. #ger vs. #usa set to play there in 4 hours [pic: @jamesmenendez] pic.twitter.com/Kfil9hjqER
Matchday in Recife. pic.twitter.com/Xg7lHwZggQ
Good thing we brought life jackets... pic.twitter.com/0JM6dqxQOS
Torrential rain in Recife. Streets like rivers. #USAvsGER kicks off in three and a half hours. pic.twitter.com/FedrQnDcW2
RT @USSoccer Flooding in Recife. Teddy Goalsevelt guiding our car through the tough waters. Onwards to the stadium! pic.twitter.com/zRj7AILeap
Massive flooding in Recife pic.twitter.com/cPeNz5lVgg
Van a tener problemas para acceder al estadio. RT @cfbayern: pic.twitter.com/NwjMx3AHLO
Major flooding on our route through Recife to USA-Germany pic.twitter.com/m42I6b2D59
Dozens of US fans abandoning vehicles and walking through torrential rain to stadium in Recife. 17 miles from here. pic.twitter.com/9rJdlMYrKg
UPDATE:
According to FIFA, the USA/Germany match will go on as planned:
FIFA spokeswoman on USA-Germany: "It is true there are heavy rains, but the match will go on as scheduled." No delay, she says.
But we'll continue to monitor the situation.
RELATED: A Survival Guide for Watching the 2014 FIFA World Cup
[via Pro Soccer Talk]
