Brands, often awkwardly, got in on U.S. World Cup fever

We may still call it soccer, but the United States appears to finally be falling for the world’s most popular sport. A feisty national team doesn’t hurt. Yesterday’s U.S.-Portugal game — OK, match — was a rollercoaster ride for fans, with an early deficit erased and then followed by a thrilling go-ahead goal, only to have a gut punch in the final minute with an equalizer by Portugal. Brands came along for the ride.

Not all brands were bummed by Portugal’s early goal.

@VW not a great way to sell cars in the USA

— Aaron Allbrooks (@AaronAllbrooks) June 22, 2014

Still, many got excited when the U.S. came back.

Have you ever seen anything like that? #Gooolf #USA! #VWGolfGTI https://t.co/7GlOtraUQD

— Volkswagen USA (@VW) June 22, 2014

Count on Charmin to find a new angle, taking advantage of excitement after Clint “Deuce” Dempsey’s goal that put the U.S. up 2-1.

The Deuce is trending.. seriously twitter? It’s like you’re begging us to chime in.. #tweetfromtheseat

— Charmin (@Charmin) June 23, 2014

OK, let’s not get cocky here now, minty mouth rinse.

A win today against a weakened Portugal side could send the USA into the next round. Somebody pinch us. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/B6IlaAqnyU

— Listerine Global (@ListerineGlobal) June 22, 2014

Oh dear. Hamburger Helper had no assistance on offer after Portugal’s tying goal in the last minute of extra time.

What. Just. Happened?

— Helper (@helper) June 23, 2014

Wait, Listerine, I thought you were on our side — and what’s with the spelling? Traitor.

#USA thought they were advancing, but that last-second equaliser from #POR means they’ll have to wait. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5G1fpRXTgy

— Listerine Global (@ListerineGlobal) June 23, 2014

McDonald’s looked on the bright side — and get in a product plug along the way.

FRY SCORE? Well played, #USMNT. Onward to game 3. #USAvPOR #McdOneGoal pic.twitter.com/r1sRTqKImk

— McDonald’s (@McDonalds) June 23, 2014

Chips Ahoy saw an opportunity for an Oreo moment — and promptly flubbed it like U.S. defenseman Geoff Cameron’s clearing kick that gave Portugal its first goal.

There’s only one way to end such a close game: Sharing a cookie across teams.

#sportsmanship #USMNT #soccer #PassTheLove

— Chips Ahoy (@ChipsAhoy) June 22, 2014

Well, at least we might get free pizza for the deciding game versus Germany.

The #USA scored twice. To celebrate, check back tomorrow for another special promo! #BetterFutbol

— Papa John’s Pizza (@PapaJohns) June 22, 2014