Posted on 07/01/2014 10:02:58 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
SALVADOR, Brazil — Every four years, soccer cleans its slate and allows nations to reinvent themselves. Forgotten teams resurface. Small programs make big strides. Champions uphold their legacy or, in the case of Spain this summer, show their age.
For the second consecutive World Cup, the United States is in position for a breakthrough, a fresh narrative, a defining moment.
[From Fancy Stats: How the United States can beat Belgium | What to expect from U.S.-Belgium (not much scoring) ]
Four years ago in South Africa, the Americans won their first-round group in a heroic manner but lost to Ghana on an extra-time goal in the knockout stage. It wasn’t an upset; rather, it was a missed opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the second time in three tournaments and set the tone for the next World Cup cycle.
On Tuesday, the U.S. squad enters a round-of-16 match against Belgium with another chance to nudge the program along a little further. The Belgians are a more formidable foe than Ghana was in 2010, having arrived in Brazil with a stable of top-flight talent and a deserved label as dark-horse candidates to hit the semifinals or beyond.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Julian Green. Wow.
Game on again. 13 minutes to go. Go USA.
Use smaller words.
Goal for the US.
Jesus nearly 2-2
Hope they do it again............
Damn, I’m proud of these guys!
Tim Howard having a great game
Howard undoubtedly MOTM
Howard has been wonderful. Just a little bit of luck and this would be 2-2.
Oh my Goodness.
They are USA!!! Foul on Chadli.
Courtois saves it.
What a great set piece and Dempsey is robbed
Wish we could get an Edward Woodward.
That was one of the more creative set pieces I’d seen on that near-goal by the U.S.
Think you will get at least one more good chance need to take it.
Very creative set piece, yes. Deserved better.
THE DRAMA!!!! OMG, soccer at its best.
Green just had the shot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.