Belly Ball, then Belly Drop...

My apologies for taking a while to post from the Portugal match. We returned to our Manaus hotel long enough to shower, pack, then get on a 3:15 a.m., bus for the long flight back to Sao Paulo. Upon arrival in Sao Paulo, I immediately went to Arena Corinthians to shoot the Holland-Chile match.

The time has given me some opportunity to reflect, and get past the disappointment of letting two points, and guaranteed advancement into the Knockout Stage, slip away past the fifth minute of stoppage time. In reality, considering our group, the vast majority of fans, coaches, players, et al, would have gladly accepted sitting on four points after two matches, were we given the option going into the final match.

That being said, the match ended so dramatically, and with such a sudden turn of tide, there was palpable emotion at the end of the match. Players, who had for the most part, played excellent matches, all had a moment or two of 'what ifs', but in the end the team, and we as supporters, are all in this together, so second-guessing at this point does nothing towards picking ourselves up from the disappointment, and getting ready for Germany in Recife.

Fact is, in most soccer matches, regardless of the level, it is the little mistakes by the opposition good teams capitalize into chances and goals. It was such a mistake on a poor outlet pass, which led to Portugal's first-half lead.

With renewed focus, US came out for the second half, looking to level the match. In the 55th minute, midfielder Michael Bradley found himself running back post with most of the target to finish for an easy equalizer. From the Portugal perspective, defender Ricardo Costa had fortunately drifted into the mouth of the goal, and only his kneed clearance kept his team's advantage. For the moment.

At halftime, a number of players had delivered a message to midfielder Jermaine Jones, who very likely played his finest match ever for the US. It took until the 64th minute for the opportunity in the halftime message to find its chance, but in his words:

"At halftime everybody told me to try to shoot," Jones said after the match. "When I got the ball, I tried to get it on my left foot. I tried to get the ball in that corner. I only heard Beas from behind, 'shoot, shoot, shoot,' so I shot and I am happy it goes in."

With 25 minutes to play, no one could know the level of drama that would unfold in the remaining regulation time (plus five-plus minutes) of the match. Soon after the goal, Jones would pick up a yellow card for a 'good' foul, which ended a dangerous Portuguese buildup. The danger now, is Jones pick up a second yellow against Germany, making him unavailable should the US move into the Round of 16.

The match was played very much from end to end, with Portugal having a slight 52-48 edge in possession for the match as a whole. A player still looking to find his pre-World Cup form, Graham Zusi, made good in the 81st minute on one his few deep runs into the attacking third. Sending a ball in front of goal, Zusi found his target, where as a good forward does, Clint Dempsey used whatever way necessary to redirect the ball into the net, in this case, belly-bouncing the ball home for a 2-1 lead and a glimpse of imminent advancement.

With a sense of purpose, and a final muster of energy, the US stiffened their resolve, making every effort to get the ball on the other half of the field. One of the key components in this effort was the 72nd minute substitution of World Cup debutante, DeAndre Yedlin, who gave some pace and energy to the attack and recovery on the right flank.

As this, the Portugal left flank, is one of the preferred hunting grounds for world superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese dynamo found himself drifting to the right flank, patrolled ably most of the match by the US veteran of now four World Cups, DeMarcus Beasley. Such was Ronaldo's frustration that Beasley became the target for a late foul, which required his being momentarily stretchered off the pitch.

When the match reached full time and the board went up with five additional minutes, there were some exchanged glances among the US faithful and media that amount of extra time may have been a bit generous. The inopportune substitution, removing Zusi in the 91st minute, may have indeed extended the stoppage time those fatefully few extra seconds at the end.

A ball, uncharacteristically turned over in midfield, which was now one man short with the added defender, resulted in a ball finding its way to Ronaldo on the flank. Beasley hesitant, or unable, to shut down the cross, leading to the pinpoint centering pass, which found itself in the US net, and the match level at essentially the final touch of the ball.

On a positive note, the US had taken a point from the team ranked fourth by FIFA going into the tournament. Admittedly, that Portuguese side was depleted from injuries and suspension, but so too was the US, without Jozy Altidore, so much so, Klinsmann went with a formation featuring only one player up top.

Now the entire group goes into the final day of Group G play, with simultaneous matches, and all teams having incentive to put forward their best efforts.  Sadly, FIFA set the schedule so both Germany and Ghana have an extra day of rest. Portugal and the US come off an emotionally and physically draining match, played in the furthest most outpost of World Cup venues, Manaus, deep in the heat and humidity of Amazonia.

The US chances of advancement still squarely lie in their own efforts, so as much drama as was presented to the world in Arena Amazonia, even more so will be on tap, Thursday, noon, EDT, from Recife.

The team are appreciative of the attention from home, and enter the match believing, 'One Nation - One Team'.

All contents of this blog, written and photographic, are copyrighted 2014, all Rights Reserved, by Perry McIntyre - Atlanta, GA.