by Jeff Dieffenbach

Opportunism marked the opening phase of the US match against Portugal. The US rode energy, creativity, and luck to a 3-0 lead. Fans of the red, white, and blue then braced for a collapse phase.

Fear turned to reality as Portugal netted one towards the end of the first half and benefited from an own goal with twenty minutes to go. 3-2. Possession advantage to Portugal: 60% to 40%.

As the 70th minute turned into the 80th, the collective negative health effects of American held breath and stopped hearts appeared certain to generate a pro-Portugal karma. Then the unthinkable happened.

Over the course of the final ten minutes or so, the US seized control of the ball and the game. Not content or perhaps capable of sitting back and absorbing an offensive barrage, they connected short passes with corner flag sit-ins to disrupt the Portuguese attack.

If any one play symbolized the US resolve it was a legal, catch-up-from-behind slide tackle from none other than the most capped American player, second half substitute Cobi Jones. As the ball rolled out of bounds in the Portuguese half of the field, it took with it the remaining Portuguese energy.

American soccer has never had a better ten minutes. American soccer has arrived on the world stage.