Following USA’s thrilling first round World Cup win over Ghana, many casual soccer fans were questioning, “Who is John Brooks?”
The 21-year-old scored America’s game-winning goal with just minutes left in regulation, putting the U.S. up 2-1.
It was a major win for the U.S. because Ghana knocked America out in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
John Anthony Brooks Jr.
Brooks was born in Berlin, Germany, while his father, a Chicago native, was stationed on an American military base there.
The soccer star has tattoos on his arms representing his backgrounds. Brooks has a tattoo of Berlin on his left elbow and the state of Illinois on his right.
https://twitter.com/ervan25/statuses/478751632860004352
Brooks is bilingual, utilizing both German and English on his social media accounts.
When he was younger, he played soccer in Hertha BSC’s youth academy, and he currently plays professionally with the club.
During his bio-video, Brooks credits his mother as “the most important person” in his life.
“It was a big dream to come to this team,” he said of joining the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT). “It’s an honor to wear this jersey.”
Keep an eye on Brooks and the rest of the USMNT as they face Portugal on Sunday.
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.