Lookit

14 Americans are on an impromptu Amazing Race quest to get to the World Cup

They thought they had a direct flight from Houston to Natal. They were wrong.

Jun 16, 2014, 2:40 PM UTC

Bill Hanstock is a writer, author and Emmy Award-winning producer. He began writing for SB Nation in 2011.

Over 500 die-hard American soccer fans attempted to get on direct flights from Houston to Natal over the weekend in order to see the World Cup. 14 of those fans weren't able to make the second flight, because mechanical issues necessitated a smaller plane than expected. So these intrepid 14 American Outlaws found themselves on a multi-leg journey all over the place. Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana. They are on an #AOmazingRace, if you will.

Here is their story. So far.

Godspeed, @AOmazingRace. For those that haven't heard, their direct flight to Natal has turned into 3 connections, including T&T and Guyana.
— Michael Saad (@RoleModel83) June 15, 2014

14 people didn't make the 2nd AO flight. Mechanical problems, & replacement plane was smaller. Those 14 now going T&T -> BRA: @AOmazingRace
— Colin Lamont (@chamberiECS) June 15, 2014

Plush seating at IAH #AOmazingRace pic.twitter.com/axzWxU1hcs
— Megan Brunken (@tronmegatron) June 14, 2014

Meet @AOChris + @landocommando #TeamGrey pic.twitter.com/SvA6uwuXdu
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Meet @adonnell5 + @FernMays + @MeggieWells #TeamIndypendent pic.twitter.com/MM5E1Ysi9S
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Meet @JIMMYT_MCFC + @CodyArnold92 + @RobWesthelle #TeamIDidntSignUpForThis pic.twitter.com/leKm1RUSuo
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Meet @tronmegatron + @BrunkenJustin #TeamRatTopRacers pic.twitter.com/XGPIWImkiR
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Meet @anahjane + @FreeBeerMovemnt #TeamoSupremo pic.twitter.com/DgxgSLyIx0
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Not pictured: Todd + Robi #TeamTenDot
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Update: two legs of our flight have been cut. Just Houston to Trinidad to Brazil!!!!!
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Some motivation for @AOmazingRace from dinner pic.twitter.com/MdJUEEhdNQ
— Megan Brunken (@tronmegatron) June 15, 2014

Update: we are all drinking heavily by the hotel pool. #JusticeForThe14
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Update: we now have a mascot #AOFrog pic.twitter.com/7ZZqVz7vZu
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

#TheAO14 on their way to the airport! pic.twitter.com/Nd1fvoFqfV
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Update: #TeamRatTopRacers has won the flight check in challenge using @united's premier lane. @AOChris abandoned #teamgrey to check in.
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Update: #TeamoSupremo won the security check point challenge. #TeamRatTopRacers were first but had immunity from the previous challenge.
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

We are going to Trinidad! Doesn't have the same ring to it.... #AOmazingRace pic.twitter.com/DBc4Zom4kb
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Meet #TeamNoTwitter - Tyler and Robi pic.twitter.com/8PfmfTje7P
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 15, 2014

Update: Apparently Trinidad to Natal is NOT our next flight. Heading to Georgetown, Guyana THEN Natal. Arrival schedule for 5am. #Curveball
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 16, 2014

Update: Charter company fat fingered one of the #AO14's names and we cant board our flight. Leave no one behind!
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 16, 2014

Update: the #AO14 has arrived in Guyana and will catch a few winks until a departure for Natal. pic.twitter.com/kQhGdPWZDo
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 16, 2014

It's a beautiful morning at the airport in Guyana. #AOmazingRace pic.twitter.com/a5pk3yxjqZ
— Megan Brunken (@tronmegatron) June 16, 2014

Update: Plane from Natal arriving at 8:50. Wheels up 1 hr. Direct to Natal. Hope is to go from airport to AO pre-game. #FingersCrossed
— The 14 (@AOmazingRace) June 16, 2014