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"RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil \u2014 A photo snapped of Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter is tied for the title of the most living American presidents pictured in one place at one time. It was taken in Dallas in April 2013. \nOn Monday night, however, half a world away on Copacabana Beach in this iconic South American metropolis \u2014 romantically nicknamed the Marvelous City \u2014 five average Americans donned vinyl president masks for the above photo that gives the POTUSes pictured in Dallas a run for their money.\nOf course, those revelers on Copacabana Beach weren't actually setting any records, but they were here for the World Cup \u2014 an event that makes the impossible become real and the marvelous seem preordained \u2014 so you could have been forgiven for thinking otherwise. It's an event where history is made every four years, often in improbable fashion.  \nSee also: New American Hero: Clint Dempsey and His Bloody Nose\nReal history was made that same night, just minutes after our five presidential revelers stared into the camera, when United States Men's National Team (USMNT) star Clint Dempsey scored faster than any American has ever scored in a World Cup. He used a deft first touch to corral a pass from Jermaine Jones, and then thumped the ball off the far post into the back of the net, 32 seconds into the Americans' first match against Ghana in this year's tournament.\n\nTeam USA made history again 90-odd minutes later when it improbably broke a 1-1 tie to finally defeat Ghana, the formidable African side that became their nemesis after knocking the Americans out of both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. \nVinyl masks weren't the only festive wear at Copacabana Beach on Monday night, where thousands of revelers watched the match on a massive screen at a free-for-all party on Rio's picturesque, crescent-shaped strip of sand. USA colors had the edge, but the jerseys of France, Argentina and other World Cup teams \u2014 including, of course, host Brazil \u2014 were also abundant. \nSome women skipped jerseys in favor of bikini tops and most people made sure to keep a plastic cup or two of Brahma beer by their sides. At halftime, a DJ blasted techno music and a zip-line carried people over the party to the cheers of those below. \n\nWhile the crowed was certainly a mixed one, nearly everyone united for a robust, if short-lived, chant of \"USA! USA!\" after Dempsey's lightning strike of genius in the match's first minute. But that chorus would not be heard again in earnest for quite some time. This was a hard-fought win, a result that was very much in doubt until nearly the moment the final whistle blew with the score 2-1, USA. \n\nUnited States' Clint Dempsey celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between Ghana and the United States at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. The United States won the match 2-1.Image: Ricardo Mazalan/Associated PressThe U.S. nabbed three points in Group G when most of their fans would have happily settled for one, as Ghana again and again knocked on goalkeeper Tim Howard's door; the USMNT looked outclassed for most of the match following Dempsey's goal. \nFans groaned in vicarious pain and empathetic disappointment when U.S. striker Jozy Altidore pulled up lame with a hamstring injury in the 21st minute while trying to control a long pass; he was carried off on a stretcher, and his return this Word Cup appears doubtful. Fans shifted their feet nervously,as the U.S. looked slow or tired \u2014 quite possibly both \u2014 for much of the match against a plucky Ghanian side. And they held their breath as the Black Stars mercilessly filleted the American midfield to persistently test the USMNT back line, totaling 21 shots to the Americans' eight. \nBut then \u2014 something marvelous. Reserve defender John Brooks \u2014 a 21-year-old German-American who seemed out of the national-team picture not long ago, and was more recently thought to be a key part of its future, but not its present \u2014 scored on a set piece in the 86th minute, heading home a lovely corner from fellow substitute Graham Zusi. \nThe mixed crowd again united as one for hearty chants of \"USA!\" and this time, plastic cups of Brahma soared through the air as well, leaving sudsy trails in their wake. \n\nLess than 10 minutes later the USMNT had a much-needed opening win, getting off to a strong start in deadly Group G, before facing on June 22 a weakened Portugal squad. The latter team must play without major cog Pepe, who was suspended for the match after getting sent off for head-butting in his team's opening loss to Germany earlier on Monday. \nAfter the game, as revelers poured out of the festival on Copacabana Beach, and filled the neighboring streets with drum circles, hoots, hollers and dance parties, a young American name Joe Cain from Ohio draped himself in an American flag, while sauntering down the road with several friends. \nAsked what he'd do next on this Monday night, Cain replied, heartily and decisively: \"Go drink!\" \nCain's rounds were made all the sweeter coming off a historic win, to be sure. But you got the sense that his answer \u2014 and that of everyone else in Rio's epicenter of World Cup party time, no matter the colors they wore \u2014 would have said the same, win, lose or draw. \nBONUS: The Complete Guide to World Cup Nicknames\n\n\nThe Wonderful World Cup Team Nicknames\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlgeria, \"Les Fennecs\"\nIn honor of the national animal of Algeria, the national team is \"Les Fennecs,\" the small, nocturnal foxes native to North Africa.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArgentina, \"La Albiceleste\"\nAs beautiful as it is eloquent, \"La Albiceleste\" means \"The White and Sky Blue,\" and refers to Argentina's famous striped uniforms.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAustralia, \"The Socceroos\"\nThis is probably the kookiest nickname: Australia's national team combines \"soccer\" and \"kangaroos.\" Now, you've got yourself the Australian squad.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBelgium, \"The Red Devils\"\nThe Belgians are known affectionately in all three of the country's spoken languages -- Dutch, French and German -- as \"The Red Devils.\"  The name was coined when a journalist called the Belgian squad \"The Red Devils\" after three \"devilish\" wins in 1906, just two years after forming.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBosnia and Herzegovina, \"Zmajevi\"\nLike Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina owes its nickname to a commentator who called the players \"zmajevi\" or \"dragons\" in 2010, and the name stuck.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrazil, \"Sele\u00E7\u00E3o\"\n\"The Selection\" is Brazil's nickname because it's what Brazilians call every soccer team: a \"sele\u00E7\u00E3o. But only the national team is \"the \"Sele\u00E7\u00E3o.\" Brazil is also known as \"Canarihno\" (\"Little Canary\") due to the team's bright yellow uniforms.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCameroon, \"The Indomitable Lions\"\nCameroon's nickname is actually a nod to the country's lion-preservation efforts. In the wild and on the pitch, the Cameroon lions or \"Lions\" are \"indomitable.\"\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChile, \"La Roja\"\nThe Chileans prefer simplicity, earning their nickname from the team's notable red uniforms.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nColombia, \"Los Cafeteros\"\n\"Los Cafeteros\" loosely translates to \"one who makes or drinks coffee,\" and Colombians do both. The national team is nicknamed after one of Colombia's biggest exports: coffee.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCosta Rica, \"Los Ticos\"\n\"Los Ticos\" is the shortened, more conversational name for \"Costarrincenses\" or \"native Costa Ricans.\"\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCroatia, \"Vatreni\"\n\"Vatreni\" means \"The Blazers\" in Croatian, a nod to both the passion of the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands. Lately, Croatia is also known as \"Bilic's Boys,\" a reference to the team's head coach, Slaven Bilic.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEcuador, \"La Tricolor\"\n\"La Tricolor\" refers to the three colors of the Ecuadorian flag: yellow, blue and red.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEngland, \"The Three Lions\"\nEngland's namesake refers to the country's rich history, going back to Richard the Lionheart, the King of England from 1189 to 1199. The three lions that appear on the national team's crest also appear on the Royal Arms of England.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrance, \"Les Bleus\"\nThe boys in \"bleu\" got their nickname because the color dominates the French team's uniforms. It's even a nickname for most teams across French sports.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGermany, \"Die Mannschaft\"\nCall it German efficiency: \"Die Mannschaft\" means \"The Team\" in German. Simple, practical and formidable when spoken.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGhana, \"The Black Stars\"\nA refrence to the sole black star on Ghana's national flag, the players of the national team are stars to their fans.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGreece, \"Ethniki\"\n\"Ethniki\" or \"national\" is Greece's nickname. The Greek team is also known as \"Piratiko,\" after a Greek radio broadcaster who christened the team with the name during the opening ceremony of UEFA Euro 2004.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHonduras, \"Los Catrachos\"\n\"Los Catrachos\" is the name for native Hondurans, derived from General Florencio Xatruch who fought an American insurrectionist's attempts to reintroduce slavery. Xatruch's men were called \"xatruches,\" which then became \"catruches,\" and so on.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIran, \"Team Melli\"\nLike other teams in the World Cup, \"Team Melli\" simply means \"National Team.\" \n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nItaly, \"Azzurri\"\nLike France's team, \"Azzurri\" means \"the blues.\" Though not part of the national flag colors, blue was the color of House Savoy which unified Italy in 1861.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIvory Coast, \"Les Elephants\"\nIvory Coast; ivory tusks. The national team is named \"Les Elephants\" due to their part in the 19th century ivory trade.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJapan, \"Samurai Blue\"\nAdorned in \"blue\" uniforms, the Japanese squad honors the country's historical warriors, and become \"samurais\" on the pitch.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMexico, \"El Tri\"\nEvery national team's nickname honors its country, but Mexico's nickname \"El Tri\" conjures up intense national pride. A shortened \"El Tricolor,\" Mexico's nickname refers to the three colors -- red, white and green -- of the Mexican flag.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNetherlands, \"Oranje\"\nNamed for the team's famous orange kits, the color is actually nowhere to be found on the Netherlands' flag. Instead it refers to the color of the old Dutch royal family: House of Orange-Nassau. The team's invention of a precise method of passing to maintain ball control -- Total Football -- also earned the Dutch team the nickname and Kubrickian homage \"Clockwork Orange.\"\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNigeria, \"The Super Eagles\"\nNigeria's nickname is rooted in classic one-upmanship. The national team adopted the nickname \"The Super Eagles\" after losing to Cameroon's \"The Indomitable Lions\" in the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations finals.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPortugal, \"Sele\u00E7\u00E3o das Quinas\"\nPortugal's nickname, \"The Selection of the Shields,\" refers to the five shields (the \"quinas\") and the five dots within each shield (the bezants) on the country's flag.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRussia, \"Sbornaya\"\nShort on originality, but strong and powerful in pronunciation, Russia's \"Sbornaya\" means \"National Team\" in Russian.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSouth Korea, \"Taegeuk Warriors\"\nThe \"taegeuk\" refers to the symbol on South Korea's national flag, which represents a spiritual balance, similar to China's yin and yang symbol. Also known as \"The Reds\" due to the team's red uniforms, fans have called themselves the \"Red Devils\" since 1995.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpain, \"La Furia Roja\"\n\"The Red Fury,\" Spain's nickname, comes from two sources. \"La Roja,\" like other team nicknames, comes from the color of the team's uniforms, while \"La Furia\" describes its \"direct, aggressive, spirited style\" of play in the 1920s -- a \"fury\" on the pitch.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSwitzerland, \"La Nati\"\nThe Swiss team kept its nickname short and to the point. \"La Nati,\" means \"The National Team\" in French. Due to the many languages used in Switzerland, the team is also known as \"Schweizer Nati\" in German and \"Squadra Nazionale\" in Italian, but they ultimately all mean the same thing. \n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUruguay, \"La Celeste\"\nNot quite Argentina's \"La Albiceleste,\" but equally as beautiful when spoken, Uruguay's \"La Celeste\" also refers to the team's sky-blue uniforms.\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nU.S.A., \"The Yanks\"\nUnlike other countries competing in the World Cup, the U.S. doesn't have an official nickname. In the past, the team has been called \"The Yanks,\" but the jury's still out on it being the official name of the U.S. Men's National Team. Other nicknames include \"The Stars and Stripes\"  or just \"Team USA.\"\n\nImage:  ESPN/Cristiano Siqueira\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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