The best match ever for the USA

Well today was a crazy day for the United States men's national team. I believed that we could win after Dempsey's goal. In the end, after being up 2-1 until the 95th minute, we really deserved the 3 points, we came away with 1, but it was truly a great performance.

Well before the match if someone would've asked me would I take a 2-2 draw against Portugal I would've said yes, definitely. I didn't expect us to win or even come close, after all Portugal is ranked 4th by FIFA, 4th in the world that is. After Nani's early goal I thought we were done. There was no way we could come back. An error by one of my favorite US backs, Geoff Cameron, gave Portugal the early lead. Then we played outstanding. Michael Bradley showed up for this game. He made some great passes, looked like he could run around a bit, and made an impact. Zusi looked like he was ready to play. His corners weren't world class like usual tonight but he made some great passes from open play. Kyle Beckerman played some great defense. He never stopped running, in the Amazon jungle that's something that a player could do very easy, stop running. Jermaine Jones, one of my favorite players on the whole US squad played great as usual too. He deserves the title of man of the match 2 games in a row. Clint Dempsey, not used to playing up front by himself, made a nuisance of himself causing the back line of Portugal a few problems. The United States as a whole kept great possession, we made the best chances, and looked like we weren't scared. You know a player who didn't really show up? Ronaldo. Well he didn't show up till the 95th minute, but he didn't make much of an impression the rest of the game. He wasn't totally in the shadows like in the Germany game, but he was still quiet.

The 95th minute goal that crushed the USA

Anyways lets get down to the action. After Nani scored in the 5th minute the US took control. Our break through didn't come until the second half, and it came from none other than Jermaine Jones. What a wonderful strike it was. Off an American corner Portugal could only clear it as far as the top of the box, where Jermaine Jones was standing. Then Jones released a magnificent strike. A hit that rivaled Messi's against Iran. This was an extra injection of momentum that the US needed. Jurgen Klinsmann then brought on a player I like a lot and I think he will do great in the coming years, DeAndre Yedlin. Yedlin usually plays right back but came in at right mid today. He has plenty of speed and is very strong. He plays for Seattle in the MLS and helped set up his Seattle teammate Clint Dempsey for his goal. Yedlin dribbled down the wing with blistering pace, sent it across the box, and after in bounced around for a bit Zusi picked up the ball and sent a pass to the US captain who "stomached" it into the net. This was great! Spectacular! The nation known for hating soccer, the nation who didn't have a hope in this group was ahead of Ronaldo and Portugal. Going into stoppage time it looked like the US would secure their place in the knock out rounds before Germany, but then 5 minutes of stoppage time and the best player in the world (well ask Messi about that) crushed the United States' dreams. Off a Michael Bradley give away Portugal went on the counter in the very last minute of the game and gave the ball to Ronaldo. Ronaldo who hadn't looked like he could deliver a ball all game, put in a world class ball right to the head of his teammate. The European nation had tied it. It was the last play of the game.

All though the US came so close to a win, so very close, they shouldn't be tremendously sad, just really sad. We can take many things from the game. We tied the 4th best team in the world 2-2, we had the better of the game, and we looked great with out Altidore. Tim Howard made a mistake or two, but was still outstanding. Our wing backs looked great and DaMarcus Beasley, playing in his fourth World Cup looked like he was still 20. Geoff Cameron might have been able to do more on the last play but that's being harsh. Yes he didn't really pick up his man but he had just played in Manaus for 95 minutes. It was really just a great ball from Ronaldo. I said before the game that Portugal was one of the best counter attacking teams in the world.

In the end the USA could taste the win, we were oh so close, but we couldn't seal the deal. I thought it was the best game the United States has ever played, or at least the best I've ever seen us play. It was a great performance but we'll have to go into the Germany match playing for something. It should be a spectacular final group stage day. Keep watching the World Cup and keep reading this blog! #ibelieve