In four matches - against Ghana, Portugal, Germany and Belgium - Team USA was 1-2-1. They managed to advance from the Group of Death, and play a thrilling tournament despite what was a mediocre-at-best record. Losing Jozy Altidore in the very first match apparently took their scoring punch, and their paltry five goals were not going to take them anywhere beyond the knockout stage.
NBC Sports posted the above photo after a great goalkeeping and defensive effort against Belgium -
You celebrate a hero not only in victory #WorldCup #USMNT:
Team USA had such difficulty possessing the ball, and preventing Belgian scoring chances, that Tim Howard and his defenders had to play the match of their lives. For 90+ minutes they were up to the task. But if Team USA had just scored earlier in extra time, that is, an equalizer to make it 1-1, I doubt Belgium would've scored a 2nd goal. Then I would bet on Tim Howard for the win in the penalty shootout. Personally I was hoping the story on Jozy Altidore's readiness was true; he could've come in as a substitute to add a scoring punch late in the match.
Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!
Ron Villejo, PhD
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