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U.S. Loses to Germany; U.S. Team Advances; Presidential Recess Appointments Ruling

Aired June 26, 2014 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN SPORTS: They lost to Germany by only one goal. Portugal was able to beat Ghana, and the goal differential there was good. So all of that makes the United States happy campers, even with the loss today.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: And here's a little factoid that I got before coming up here. Since we made it past this round, this is the first time ever the U.S. has advanced to the knockout stage two World Cups in a row. Do we know at what point here, as this is about positioning, moving into the knockout round, Rachel -

NICHOLS: Yes.

BALDWIN: What point will we know who we play next?

NICHOLS: Well, here's where the fact that they lost today does come into account. The fact that they lost to Germany today means that, yes, both teams are moving on, but Germany is going to have won the group. And by winning the group, Germany gets the better seating. Again, just like our American sports, right? If you're a number one seed in the NBA or the NHL playoffs, you get to play the eighth-ranked team.

Well, the U.S. is going in as the number two team from Group G. So in all likelihood, they will play the best team from Group H. And that best team in all likelihood is Belgium. I'm sorry, they'll definitely play that best team from Group H. But in all likelihood, it will be Belgium. They're way ahead in the standings. So Belgium, 4:00 on Tuesday, 4:00 Eastern, unless something very unusual happens with Group H. And Belgium's a powerhouse. But, hey, the United States team doesn't think they're losing to anyone right now. They have a ton of confidence.

BALDWIN: USA, USA. Look at all those fans in Chicago. Rachel Nichols, thank you. Don't go too far. We're going to keep this coverage moving and grooving.

Let me show you a quick picture. And this is just an example of how many people were watching this match. You know, president of the United States hanging out on Air Force One watching this match, just to prove this is pervasive, this is palpable throughout the United States, whether you have been a soccer fan or not. This really has become a movement, it seems, so far.

Let's talk weather, though, because if you were watching this match, this was, you know, the last time the U.S. played, it was down in the Amazon in Manaus. They had to deal with the heat, the humidity. Now they were dealing with pouring rain. Amanda Davis is live for us in Rio with CNN Sports.

And it's beautiful where you are in Rio de Janeiro, but quite a messy match in Recife.

AMANDA DAVIS, CNN SPORTS: Absolutely, Brooke. And it's hard to believe, sitting here in Rio, that the weather is as bad as it is a couple of thousand miles away in Recife. But it was so bad that they were actually talking about postponing the match. So bad, too, that the U.S. friends and family actually couldn't make it to the game. The bus had such problems getting through the torrential rain that the friends and family decided to watch this match play out from their team hotel.

It was raining throughout the match. We saw Jurgen Klinsmann with his hat on. But you have to say, when it came to it, FIFA's decision to let the match carry on as scheduled was probably vindicated because it didn't have too much of an impact. But it's been really, really tough (INAUDIBLE) for the U.S., not just the conditions, the ridiculous traveling. They've traveled more than any other team up to this point in the tournament. And they have had what was known as the group of death when the draw was made in December. They easily could have finished bottom of this group, having to face Germany, having to face Portugal, having to face Ghana. All teams with great, great pedigree.

And, yes, they scraped through. It was a ridiculously nervous final 30 minutes, even here at the CNN World Cup bureau. We've got Germans here. We've got Americans here. We've also got Portuguese here. Each standing in the little corners of the room flying their flag for their respective countries. And when Thomas Muller scored, the U.S. went down, the same minute, that was when Ghana scored over in Brasilia. And then anything could have happened. But they've done it. They've held on, scraped through by the skin of their teeth. And, yes, the journey continues. It is likely to be another really tough encounter, as Rachel was saying, against Belgium next up.

BALDWIN: We'll be watching. Amanda Davis for us in Rio de Janeiro. Thank you so much for that. We'll be coming back to you here.

But as we talk soccer, let's talk to a soccer player, Atlanta Silverbacks defender Ramiro Canovas has been watching and listening to this conversation. And I grabbed you right before we began our coverage and I said, OK, so much has been made about this rain and the lack of, you know, one fewer day of rest for Team USA. And you said to me, no big deal.

RAMIRO CANOVAS, DEFENDER, ATLANTA SILVERBACKS: No big deal. Nothing matters. Once you get to a field, no matter how many miles you travel, how much rest you got, once you're in that field at that level against a team like Germany, nothing matters.

BALDWIN: You're reading to bring it.

CANOVAS: You're - yes, you're ready to bring it in. BALDWIN: Let's take a look, if people are just tuning in and just sort

of wanting to see some of the highlights here as the coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, German hero, played for Germany, coaching now Team USA, watching all of the movements on the field, what struck you?

CANOVAS: Well, I think U.S. played very smart game, very tactical game. Obviously Germany, one of the best teams in the world, and they did very well. They were very compact defensively. And they waited for Germany. And, obviously, you know, Muller scored an amazing goal. But that was the only way they could score for the game. So they did really well.

BALDWIN: You know, listening to some of the analysts this morning, just sort of picking apart before this match, they were saying Germany is the more technically skilled team. And they were saying because of the rain, it would put Team USA at an advantage because they wouldn't be able to do all the fancy footwork or what have you because of the rain. Did you notice that?

CANOVAS: Yes, but, again, the U.S., I think, they did well. They are a technical team. Not as technical as Germany, obviously. But like I said, once you get to a points, nothing matters. I think they were both in disadvantage because of the rain. So the U.S. did very well. I don't think it mattered at all.

BALDWIN: I asked you -- you're originally from Argentina -

CANOVAS: Yes.

BALDWIN: And you're playing here in Atlanta. And I said, how long have you been playing soccer, and you said 27 years. You said you were really born with a soccer ball in your hand.

CANOVAS: Yes.

BALDWIN: And there was someone who we were talking to in Manhattan a moment ago who said this is - this isn't a moment, this is a movement. And every four years, when we watch the World Cup - and, listen, I'm guilty. I'm a basketball/baseball kind of gal. But I -- the bug has bit me this year, officially. Do you think the momentum continues every four years? Do you think that more and more so here in the states soccer is catching on?

CANOVAS: Yes. Definitely. I've been playing soccer in the U.S. for more than 14 years.

BALDWIN: Wow.

CANOVAS: And, to me, it's amazing to see all these people following soccer, seeing the president following soccer.

BALDWIN: Seeing the president aboard Air Force One.

CANOVAS: Yes.

BALDWIN: And look at everyone walking around with the red, white and blue, even around CNN.

CANOVAS: Yes. I can definitely see how soccer has grown in the community and I love it. And I think it's great. It's a great sport. Everyone is catching up. And that's why, you know, a lot of us wishes it would be less than four years that we have to wait for the World Cup, but (INAUDIBLE).

BALDWIN: I know. It's like the momentum happens and everyone's watching and then it's over. It's over.

CANOVAS: Yes. Yes.

BALDWIN: But let's keep Team USA going and let's keep our coverage going, as well.

Richard Roth, back under the Manhattan Bridge there for us in New York. I'll take it back to you.

I see someone playing, kicking around behind you. Who do you have with you?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, thanks, Brooke. I can hear you better now. The game is over. The match is over. USA has advanced to the next round. They did that four years ago. I'm here with Dave. Give me a good soccer/futbol analysis of the match and the route forward.

DAVE: Well, right now, you've got to forgive me, my heart's still beating a mile a minute. When this group started, everybody was so doubtful of the U.S. And for them to get out of this group, which arguably is one of the toughest in the World Cup, and to look forward to probably what will be a Belgian match, I like our chances. I think we can hang with them.

ROTH: We see behind, as Brooke mentioned, them kicking the ball around. I saw this four years ago. But what happens in between these four years? There are more people now who are gaining interest in the sport, but how do you keep that momentum, if you're a futbol fan, going?

DAVE: I think that what you see is every four years you get to see -- you get to see the game grow. Four years ago there was still a big crowd here, but there wasn't as much - there wasn't as much --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE). We were great! We're going through! It was fabulous! Thank you!

DAVE: There wasn't as much as what you saw this year where you have people --

ROTH: I have no idea why my old college professor decided to surprise me. Go ahead.

DAVE: There - there's nothing that you see -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is what it's about. Whoo! ROTH: Well, there's enthusiasm. Yes. What do you think -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE). What are our chances, buddy? We going to win the whole thing?

ROTH: Who says the loudest people get attention?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are we going to win the whole thing?

ROTH: Sir, sir, what did you think of the match?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it wasn't critical that we won. But at the same time, we advanced, and that's all that matters.

ROTH: Thank you very much. I would be careful, your child is wandering off. OK. So, what do you think then of the next round?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Landon Donovan, you should have been here. Landon Donovan.

ROTH: Algeria, Russia, what do you think? He's not here and he's not playing, Landon Donovan.

DAVE: Algeria or Russia, they can still win the group. I mean Algeria can still win the group. Russia can't. So, you know, I'd love to see a rematch in four years ago with Algeria. I'm really excited about the prospect of playing Belgium. They're a young club and -

ROTH: All right, next match, Tuesday afternoon.

DAVE: I'll be here.

ROTH: 4:00 East Coast Time. You'll be here. I'm not sure if I want to be here.

Brooke, back to you from under the Manhattan Bridge, in the Dumbo district, which I think just lived up to its name.

BALDWIN: I think you would be an amazing ref on the pitch. You are tough, pushing that guy out of the way. I love it. I love it. And I love live TV. Listen, we just roll with it, don't we? Richard Roth and fans, thank you so much.

We have to take a quick pause. Again, the breaking news, the fact that Team USA now officially advances to the knockout stage of the World Cup. And coming up, we'll take you live to New Jersey. We'll go to our correspondent, Zain Asher, who is live with the MLS team, the New York Bulls, at a viewing party in Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Stay right here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: All right, roll that Brazil 2014 animation because we are excited today and let me tell you why. Breaking news, Team USA is officially advancing to the knockout stage. So this is - this is a huge deal. We actually haven't done this -- this is history that we're doing this two World Cups in a row. And that is because even though we just lost to Germany 1-0, Portugal beat Ghana. Therefore, we get to move on.

But let's take you to New Jersey to Zain Asher, my correspondent there, who is with some Red Bull soccer players at the Red Bull Arena there.

Were they watching the match with you?

ZAIN ASHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Brooke.

Yes, absolutely. You know, I was watching the U.S.-Germany game with some professional MLS players, the New York Red Bulls. And when you watch the game with professionals, you see it from a very different perspective because they are analyzing the U.S.' strategy, which I want to ask you about. I'm joined by Luis Robles, the goalkeeper, and also Connor Lade, as well.

Thank you guys so much for joining me.

When you look at the U.S.' strategy, yes, of course, the advance to the knockout round. But did we play too defensively? Was there an overreliance on Tim Howard?

LUIS ROBLES, NEW YORK RED BULLS GOALKEEPER: Well, first of all, I want to say congratulations to the U.S. national team. They did a great job of getting to the next round. I think anyone going into this game knew that we were going to have to be very defensive. We were going against a very strong German side. And, of course, without having Jozy up front, we were going to look to do the counter. And I think, for the most part, that's what they looked to do today.

ASHER: Yes, and I want to ask you about not having Jozy Altidore. Obviously there was some tense moments in that game. Did not having him really make a difference in terms of scoring?

CONNOR LADE, NEW YORK RED BULLS: Yes, I mean, Jozy, you know, he started turning out right before the -- going into the World Cup. And, you know, we kind of had to have a new look and put Clint up there by himself in, you know, a role that, you know, he can be proficient in, but, you know, not necessarily his favorite. So, you know, it definitely give us a different look. But, you know, I think, you know, the goal is to advance and we were able to do so.

ASHER: And, you know, yes, we are excited, because we are going through to the next round, but we are (INAUDIBLE) sort of relied heavily on the Ghana-Portugal game. I mean I was watching the game with you guys and you were sort of watching the U.S./Germany game and then you were checking on your phones the Ghana/Portugal game. I mean is it right that we let Ghana and Portugal determine our fate?

ROBLES: I think that's kind of the beauty of the group stage. Every game's important. And since the U.S. played so well in the first two games, they were given some margin of error in this game. Of course I think their mentality was to get a result. I think they were a little upset that they weren't able to win. But regardless, they're into the next stage. And I know they -- the coaches are probably looking at the other score, and it ended up working out for us. But I also think there's a huge complement, just the way the coaching staff prepared the team and then the way the team played and performed in Brazil.

ASHER: So, overall, you guys are obviously very happy for your fellow soccer players and you obviously wish them the best of luck. Any last words for the U.S. team as they move forward next week?

LADE: Oh, no, we're just really excited for them and, you know, we know that they're going to show off for our country and keep proving everyone who thought we couldn't make it this far. This -- so they're just going to keep proving them wrong and we're just really excited for them.

ASHER: Awesome. There you go, Brooke. U.S. moving forward to the next round. Back to you.

BALDWIN: Zain Asher, I am loving the red, white and blue. Thanks to you and the Red Bulls there for letting us hang out and watch the game with them.

But let's talk to Major League Soccer's executive vice president, Dan Courtemanche, who is live in New York.

And, Dan, listen, we could get into the weeds of soccer, but bottom line, the fact that Team USA is advancing here, this is a big deal?

DAN COURTEMANCHE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER: Yes, no question, it's huge. Look, these players have excited and inspired an entire nation. And it's only going to grow the popularity. Going back to 2006, since that World Cup, the number of soccer fans in this country have actually grown 44 percent. We're at 70 million adult soccer fans now in the United States.

BALDWIN: How do we keep that momentum going during the lull, the four- year lull before everyone, you know, wears the red, white and blue in support of Team USA? How do we maintain it?

COURTEMANCHE: You know it's at all levels, from youth participation, to the support of Major League Soccer, and to the support of the national team. But you also have to think of the World Cup as the Super Bowl. And the Super Bowl is extremely popular. And that much more popular than the NFL regular season, which is also popular. But the NFL regular season does about 17 million viewers. The Super Bowl will do about 100 million. So it's a little bit of an analogy there. But certainly the popularity of the sport is only going to continue to grow.

BALDWIN: I have to imagine, as an executive vice president, you have been to a World Cup or two, yes?

COURTEMANCHE: I certainly have. My first one was '94 here in the states. I've been to Germany and other places.

BALDWIN: What is it like, for those of us just glued to our TV screens at work or at our local bar, what does it feel like? COURTEMANCHE: It's incredible passion. Also, you're there with your

fellow countrymen. And when you think about it, the United States actually purchased the second most number of tickets behind the host country, Brazil. So we have thousands and thousands, actually tens of thousands of fans down in Brazil supporting our national team. And it's an amazing environment. And you've seen the supporters that Richard was interviewing down in Dumbo, just amplify that down in Brazil. It's incredible.

BALDWIN: Can't imagine. Dan, thank you so much.

We just popped the picture back up of the president of the United States. They snapped a picture on board Air Force One of the president and his team there sitting around the table. Here you go, watching the match on the TV as he was traveling to Minneapolis.

Dan, thank you so much.

And just finally here, just to button this whole thing up, let me just bring Ramiro Canovas back in with the Atlanta Silverbacks. And we've been talking so much about Team USA and, of course, the excitement, but we have to talk about the bite. We have to talk about the bite before I let you go. Luis Suarez on team Uruguay bit that Italian player. And now we know his suspension was nine -- what is it, nine games, four months. You've been on the field many a time. I'm sure you have felt the intensity, the anger, but biting?

CANOVAS: Yes. Yes. It's a shame. It's a shame because Luis Suarez is a great, great player.

BALDWIN: A phenomenal player.

CANOVAS: A phenomenal player. And, you know, as a soccer player, there's a lot of things that go through your head when you're angry, when you're tense. But biting is just -- it's a shame. It's -- the FIFA did the right thing. They had to make a statement. And I think the right thing.

BALDWIN: Uruguay's appealing.

CANOVAS: Yes. Well, but, you know --

BALDWIN: What do you make of that?

CANOVAS: Well, I mean, obviously, Uruguay is trying to get their best player back.

BALDWIN: Yes.

CANOVAS: It's a shame for Uruguay because Suarez, you know, is a big star on that team. So I think it's - FIFA's going to stand strong and stay with that sanction.

BALDWIN: OK. Ramiro, thank you very much.

CANOVAS: Thank you for having me. BALDWIN: We'll all be watching, of course, the next game from Team

USA. We should know definitively -- I believe Rachel was saying by the end of tonight who we play and when. Thank you, sir.

And coming up here on CNN, we're going to turn the page and talk about new information for Flight 370. Word that the plane likely flew on autopilot during its final hours. And details on how it may have crashed. That is ahead.

Also this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY GRACE, HLN: We are getting reports that your son has been found in your basement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Yes. This is the craziest story of the day. This is the moment Nancy grace told this father that his missing son had been found in his own basement. If you have not seen this exchange, do not move. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: All right. Welcome back. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

A couple of pretty significant Supreme Court rulings to tell you about today. First, this Massachusetts law setting up a protest free zone within 35 feet of entrances to clinics that perform abortions. That was struck down. The ruling, unanimous. But the court's reasoning was actually divided. You had more liberal justices and Chief Justice John Roberts decided the buffer zone violates the First Amendment because it keeps those protesters off public property. Conservative justices believe the law discriminates against the protesters' point of view.

Also this. The Supreme Court handed down a victory, also unanimously, to Senate Republicans in a fight with President Obama. The court decided President Obama did overstep the law when he appointed three different people to the National Labor Relations Board without Senate approval because the Senate was on a break that was actually too short to qualify as recess. Want you to listen to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. Could become a theme here as we look ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY (R), IOWA: These illegal appointments represent just one of the many important areas where President Obama has disregarded the laws with his philosophy of the ends justifying the means. We should all be thankful, then, that the Supreme Court has reined in this kind of lawlessness on the part of this administration.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Let's talk about this. Chief political analyst Gloria Borger joining me. And we heard Chuck Grassley. Is this - is this a theme? Is this

something we could begin to hear from other Republicans, leverage with elections coming up?

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes, it's going to become a major campaign theme. And for shorthand, let's call it the "imperial presidency." You saw the House speaker yesterday saying he's going to sue the president for his overreach on all of these executive actions, executive orders. You saw what the Supreme Court did today and Chuck Grassley on the floor talking about it. And what they're saying is, look, this is a White House that overreaches, that believes in big government, and the president is unilaterally trying to do things that he could not get Congress to do.

And the Supreme Court today, in a unanimous decision, kind of played right into that narrative by saying, look, we understand that the White House is saying they're forced to do these things because of Republican obstructionism, as they would call it. But what the Supreme Court is saying is that that may be a policy problem you have, but constitutionally, it's a no-go.

BALDWIN: But doesn't this just further widen the gulf between the Republicans up on The Hill -

BORGER: Yes.

BALDWIN: And the White House just down the road?

BORGER: It does. Oh, absolutely. And I've been talking to Republicans who were looking at their polling and a whole host of races and what they're seeing is that this notion of presidential overreach polls better for them with independent voters and with their base Republican voters than Obamacare does, believe it or not.

BALDWIN: Huh.

BORGER: So now what we're seeing is this kind of tactical shift, right, to talking more about presidential overreach. We haven't heard a lot about Obamacare lately, but Obamacare also fits into that narrative because they will say that the president has changed Obamacare as its gone along unilaterally through executive action and that he shouldn't have been able to do that either. So it all kind of fits into a neat package for them.

BALDWIN: Narrative. Yes. Foreshadowing of themes to come.

BORGER: It does.

BALDWIN: Gloria Borger, thank you so much, from Washington for us today.

BORGER: Sure.

BALDWIN: Just ahead, new information on Flight 370, word that the plane likely flew on autopilot during those final hours and new details on how it may have crashed. Also this -

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY GRACE, HLN: We're getting report that your son has been found in your basement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Look at his face. This is the moment Nancy Grace told this father his missing son had been found in his own basement. You have to watch this whole exchange, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)