On Sunday, it seemed like the entire United States retreated to bars, pubs, and watch-parties to witness the Yanks take on their second opponent in the rigorous Group G, the Portuguese. Coming off a thrilling, yet unconvincing win against Ghana, Americans were skeptical of how Jürgen Klinsmann and the US would handle the European team led by world-class superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. “Thrilling” would be an understatement best used to describe the game watched by all of America, 24.7 million to be exact – the single most watched soccer match in US history.
USMNT Draws Portugal
Just seconds away from a come-from-behind victory over Portugal, the country’s excitement was silenced during the last 30 seconds of stoppage time. For just as long as it will take you to read, I urge you to come with me and look past the final second buzz kill that will just add a bit more drama to the US’s campaign to the round of 16.
The first changing point in the game was onset by a poor clearance from US defender Geoff Cameron which handed Nani an easy fifth minute goal. With the game still early, the United States picked up their pace of play and continued to press the Portuguese defense. The US’ urgency and drive is an extremely positive note to take away from this game. You see many teams, especially in this tournament, that concede an early goal and find it impossible to recover.
During the Send-off Series, you saw a US team that struggled to advance on offense due to an uncertain back line. Now, with the US’ defense sound, we see a strong, confident offense that links and connects well with it’s midfield. With promising chances from Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, and Fabian Johnson, all of whom have accumulated numerous points in this World Cup opening round, the Yanks continued to demonstrate good pressure while taking advantage of scoring opportunities in the first half.
The decision by Jürgen to add five midfielders to the US lineup, specifically Graham Zusi, proved to be successful as the 28-year-old Sporting KC midfielder connected incredibly well with Clint Dempsey all game. A huge factor that kept the US ambitious after the early conceding was the continual production of scoring chances. Countless on-target chances came from Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Fabian Johnson, and Graham Zusi. Along with a sound defensive backline, the United States’ continual chances on goal are what kept the team within range of the Portuguese.
Impressive goaltending was also a crucial factor in the US’ efforts. Tim Howard, notching his 101st cap, earned his accolade as Man of the Match making two incredible saves in the first, one which was a rebound off the post and a left-handed save of Nani’s strike just outside the box.
The United States entered halftime still goalless, but the hunger to strike the back of the net kept the team and nation still believing.
The American dominance was seen clear right from the start of the second half as continual pressure was again demonstrated by the US. Advancing well on offense, again we saw more and more chances; in the 55th minute, Fabian Johnson connected with Michael Bradley who was robbed of a early second half goal when the ball was deflected off the knee of Ricardo Costa. Fabian Johnson continued to assist the US in their offensive march in the second half, creating incredible plays from the right back position.
Then in the 64th minute the US earned a corner kick on the right side. Graham Zusi’s delivery was knocked away by the Portuguese defense, only to be sent right back in by Jermaine Jones as he lost his defender with an inside cut and buried his 27 yard shot just inside the right post. This US team’s uncanny ability on set pieces has been heavily talked about and we saw great examples of that against Portugal, not only on the goal but during the entire first half. Jones’ tying goal put the US very much back in the game with almost 30 minutes left in regulation.
Another key aspect of the US’ game was the defense, specifically Kyle Beckerman, Fabian Johnson, and at times, DaMarcus Beasley. Together, the backline of 4 were able to repel the Portuguese, having many of their chances called off or sent wide away from danger.
Then with just 9 minutes left to play, what seemed like a storybook finish occurred. Jermaine Jones played a through ball to DeAndre Yedlin on the right wing, which would be knocked away to Michael Bradley at the top of the box. Bradley, with great composure, controlled and slotted a ball to Graham Zusi on the far left edge of the box. The newly added starter played a ball onto the lower abdomen of US Captain Clint Dempsey who ran in the far-fetched finish. The US’ composure and control with the ball offensively has been a huge step in the right direction for Jürgen Klinsmann and the Americans, and this game proved just that.
With an entire nation and world stunned and exhilarated with the team’s come-from-behind play, the US’ ticket to the next round seemed seemingly inevitable. Then came the unimaginable; everyone saw it. While most now find the US’ chance at advancing unlikely and long-gone, I urge you to look past that last 30 seconds. It’s as simple as this; the US deserved those three points on Sunday. This group of 23 US players is a team that lives by it’s county’s principles; hard work, determination, tradition, and character.
Jürgen Klinsmann made it clear, this US team wants to win the group; to them, a tie is not in the horizon.
“I don’t think we are made for draws, except if it happens like tonight – We want to go into this game, recover fast and go at Germany, get three points and have seven points on our side and be in the driver’s seat for the Round of 16. That is our goal.”
“Realistically, we have given ourselves every chance to advance.” commented Goalkeeper Tim Howard. “We are optimistic; we are pretty much where we wanted to be when we started this whole process. We wanted to be going into this last game feeling like we have a chance, and we do.”
“We like to do this the hard way,” said defender Matt Besler. “It’s the American way.”
I ask you to look past the US’ moment of collapse, and emphasize on the incredible brand of soccer that this nation has been developing and has competed with so successfully this year. I invite you to stand behind a team that stands before their nation, to trust in their game. I guarantee you will see a team that gives every ounce of themselves, till the final whistle, for the country and crest they wear so proudly over their heart. That’s the way this beautiful game work; you’re held on the edge of your seat for 90 minutes and everything can come down to one moment. It may not be the most original tagline from a sports writer, but I do, in fact, believe.
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Photo via Martin Mejia
