USA Advances to World Cup Knockout Stage After Narrow Loss to Germany

What's This?

United States' Jermaine Jones is tripped by Germany's Mats Hummels during the group G World Cup soccer match between the USA and Germany at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014.

Image: Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

By Sam Laird2014-06-26 17:58:45 UTC

They watched from office desks, early-morning sports bars, from military bases and living rooms. American soccer fans — the hardcore and bandwagon-riding alike, all worthy in equal measure — gathering far and wide for the USMNT's most anticipated matchup in recent memory: USA vs. fearsome Germany, in both teams' final Group G matchup, a win or a draw guaranteeing the Americans' a spot in the World Cup knockout round.

Ninety minutes after kickoff in rain-soaked Recife, Brazil, those American dreams of advancing came true despite a loss to the Germans. Final score: 1-0, Germany. But a Portugal win over Ghana in Group G's other finale tied the U.S. and Portugal in the group table on four points apiece, gave the USMNT a tie-breaker on goal differential (three to one) and put the Americans through.

See also: 8 Ways Watching the World Cup at Work Can Improve Productivity

Germany dominated possession from the opening kick as the ball moved slowly on Arena Pernambuco's saturated turf, leaving no question that the Group G favorites would not be content to settle for a tie that would give them the group.

During the match's first 15 minutes, two huge plays in the box by defender Omar Gonzalez, newly inserted by coach Jurgen Klinsmann into the starting lineup, plus some sterling play from goalkeeper Tim Howard, ensured the USA defense, while bending mightily, did not break. Germany's domination of the ball nevertheless made it a stomach-churning first half for American supporters.

A solid try from midfielder Graham Zusi in the 23rd minute represented one of the USMNT's first signs of real life as they found some footing after Germany's initial onslaught.

While the U.S. mustered some bit of verve midway though the half, you still had the sense Germany was simply knocking on Howard's door and would eventually find its way in. This save in the 35th minute was perhaps the closest call of all.

This photo of Howard looming large on the big-screen in Detroit's Campus Martius Park seemed an appropriate representation of his first-half presence for the USMNT and its supporters.

At halftime, the score stood 0-0. So far, so good. Meanwhile, in Group G's other final match, Portugal had taken a 1-0 halftime lead over Ghana, giving the U.S. a bit more breathing room in group's the overall points and goal-difference standings.

Then: a 55th-minute rocket from Thomas Müller after Howard deflected another strike seconds before to put Germany up 1-0. At nearly the same time, Ghana equalized against Portugal — a draw that, if it held, would advance the U.S. even with a loss. Another Ghana score, however, could spell doom for the Americans. Another Portugal score to break the tie would be a welcome development (here's a primer on tie-breaker scenarios).

Just when it seemed impossible, the drama had increased.

As the match crept toward its 75-minute marks, the USMNT legs looked tired, slow to get to get to balls as hearty — if only occasional and brief — chants of USA! USA! reverberated through Arena Pernambuco.

A late goal from Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal against Ghana, meanwhile, released some of the pressure on U.S. fans, whether or not the players on the pitch were aware of the favor done by their old rival from Manaus. The final scores of each match held despite some late threats on goal by the U.S., tying the USA and Portugal a tie on points at four apiece and the Americans a three-goal advantage on goal differential to push on to the Round of 16.

Up next: A probably match with Group H's likely winner, the young but talented Red Devils from Belgium. But for now, a time for celebration after advancing to the knockout stage in back-to-back World Cups for the first time ever.

And from here, anything is possible.

Topics: Entertainment, soccer, Sports, usmnt, world cup