The World Cup comes around every four years, and it is held in a different location each time.  This year the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is turning out to be one of a kind.

Multiple upsets have shifted expectations for fans. Junior soccer player John Turyna enjoys upsets,

“Upsets add excitement of course, I mean who doesn’t love when something doesn’t go as everyone thought it would?,” Turyna said.

Two prominent teams are already eliminated and will not continue past group play. Spain, the defending World Cup champions, played their first game against the Netherlands in a 2010 World Cup final rematch.  The Netherlands won in a surprising 5-1 victory. In their second game, Spain lost again, but this time to an even less likely opponent, Chile. Chile capitalized on Spain’s mistakes and won 2-0.

Junior soccer player Andy Tovar explained that upsets make the tournament more exciting and upsets “adds an unexpected twist”.

Another prominent team, England, was also eliminated because of two losses. England lost their first game against Italy, 2-1.  Their next game, against Uruguay, was a must win to continue their World Cup run.  Once again they fell short in a 2-1 loss. In order for England to continue they needed a win from Italy against Costa Rica and Uruguay.  England was disappointed again as Costa Rica upset Italy 1-0.

Although two teams are eliminated, others are thriving. Costa Rica was not expected to pass through their group, but will advance with flying colors.  Costa Rica upset Italy and Uruguay. They beat Italy 1-0 with a thrilling header scored bouncing off the crossbar, into the goal then spinning back out. The goal was confirmed by FIFA’s goal line technology.  Costa Rica then blew past Uruguay in a 3-1 win. Uruguay scored first, but was overpowered by Costa Rica’s three goals.  The Costa Rican’s also drew three yellow cards and one red.

As for the U.S. team, they began with a commanding win over Ghana; one that was not expected by many.  The U.S. struck first with a goal within the first minute by Clint Dempsey. They held on the rest of the half and into the next until the Ghanaians scored in the 82nd minute.  The U.S. scored last on a header from the substitute John Brooks Jr.

The win over Ghana breaks the hold that Ghana had over the U.S. in ending their last two World Cup runs.

“The U.S.’s first win was a huge confidence booster because they haven’t beaten Ghana in 8 years, that will inspire them to play better and and possibly above themselves against a better opposition,” Turyna said.