USA vs. Portugal: Comparison by Culture, Soccer History, Landmarks, and More
Team USA and Portugal will be facing each other Sunday in a Group G battle as the 2014 FIFA World Cup marches on.
Portugal will be looking to get their first win after they were dismantled by Germany, while America will be trying to improve their record to 2-0. These two teams will settle it on the soccer field Sunday evening, but we can still compare the two great nations on and off the field.
Soccer history
The only time these two have versed each other before in the World Cup was in 2002. Team USA was victorious 3-2, thus eliminating Portugal. Soccer has never really been "America's game," but improvements have taken place.
Despite not qualifying from 1954-1986, Team USA has made every World Cup since and twice advanced to the knockout stage. Similar to most of world, soccer is the most popular sport in Portugal. Portugal, on the other hand, has had about the same amount of success at the World Cup as the United States, with their best year coming in 1966 when they placed third overall.
Landmarks
The United States is loaded with famous landmarks and historic sites. New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C. are all home to legendary attractions. These include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Washington Monument and the Liberty Bell. For people who want to see more nature, there's Mount Rushmore and the beaches of Hawaii.
Portugal is full of towers, bridges, and famous churches. The Bélem Tower is almost 500 years old and is a must-see for anyone who travels to the area. One of the most extraordinary castles in the world, the São Jorge is one of the greatest fortresses on earth.
Celebrities
In America, celebrities flourish more than any other country. Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg are a couple of notables. Even athletes put their face on the big screen constantly like Blake Griffin and Peyton Manning.
For Portugal, Maria de Medeiros is a very famous Portuguese-born actress/director. One of the most notable film directors in Portugal is Marco Martins, who has received multiple awards.
Food
Grilled Sardines are one of the most popular dish in Portugal as seafood is a thriving market. Like America, the Portuguese take great pride in sauces, bread, and meat. The Portuguese cheese is among the best in Europe.
U.S. dishes are usually simple. Americans love bread, pizza, hamburgers with fries, and pasta. Candy and sweets are also very popular in America; maybe a little too popular.
Economy
America has the largest economy in the world, spanning around the globe. The United States' major exports include capital goods, food, and vehicles and its chief importers include Canada, China, Mexico, and Japan.
By contrast, Portugal's economy is much smaller, but so is the debt. Portugal's biggest exports are clothing, food, rubber and other materials, and minerals and their biggest importers are Spain, France, Germany, and England.
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