U.S. braces for defining moment in knockout round

  • By Steven Goff The Washington Post
  • Monday, June 30, 2014 11:35pm
  • SportsSports

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.

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.

U.S.-BELGIUM, TUESDAY AT 1 P.M.; TV: ESPN (CABLE)

Today, 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.

But the Americans recognize another opportunity — on soccer’s grandest stage, nonetheless — to take a considerable step.

“We worked hard for this moment,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Monday at Arena Fonte Nova in this seaside city. “We made it through a very difficult group and now we want more. We are very, very hungry and focused and have a lot of respect for the Belgium side but no fear at all.”

The Americans would not have shown outward fear against any opponent, but given its pedigree, Belgium strikes less fear than historic titans such as Brazil, Argentina or Netherlands.

Facing a Belgian side entered in its first major competition in 12 years, the U.S. squad sees an opening to extend its stay and continue stirring enthusiasm back home.

Like Belgian beer, but don’t want to support Belgium? Drink American.

“The country is paying attention in a way that it’s never done before, and we have a chance to make some history,” U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. “Obviously, we’ve been to the quarters before — the semis in 1930. But this is a big day, a game we think we can win.”

They think they can win despite playing ungraceful at times and, in the absence of sustained possession, allowed opponents to set the terms. But they have also shown resilience, the capability to score — four goals in the first two group matches — and overcome duress. They have received strong performances from goalkeeper Tim Howard, right back Fabian Johnson, midfielders Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman, and forward Clint Dempsey.

Altidore available

SALVADOR, Brazil — Jozy Altidore has recovered sufficiently from his left hamstring strain to be available, although it appears he is unlikely to start. The forward has not played since the Americans’ June 16 opener, when he was taken off on a stretcher during the first half.

“Just having him with us tomorrow is huge,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Monday, adding Altidore’s time on the field depends on “how much work is in his legs.”

The U.S. plays Belgium in the knockout round of the World Cup at 4 p.m. EDT Tuesday. Here is how the teams match up:

Attacking: Both teams managed just four goals in group play with all of Belgium’s scores coming in the final 20 minutes of its games. But Belgium has been more active and balanced in its attack, averaging four more shots a game than the U.S. and spreading its scoring among four players. Much was expected of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, but they’ve been nonfactors here, taking just four shots combined. If they get on track, Belgium could be dangerous. On the other side, the U.S. attack is statistically the worst in the World Cup. If striker Jozy Altidore, who has played just 21 minutes here, can go in his return from a strained hamstring that could help a team that has relied primarily on Clint Dempsey and Jermaine Jones. Those two have combined for three of their team’s four goals and 12 of its 27 shots. Edge: Belgium

Defending: Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois, among the best goalkeepers in the world, has given up just one goal – on a penalty kick less than half an hour into the opening game. Since then he’s been perfect. And in front of him, in central defense, Belgium hopes to get back the imposing Vincent Kompany, the team captain who missed Belgium’s group-play final because of a groin injury. If Kompany can’t go, Belgium’s defense – already without Thomas Vermaelen and Anthony Vanden Borre – becomes far less formidable. For the U.S., Tim Howard has been solid in the nets, making five saves against Germany and four – many of them acrobatic – against Portugal. His defenders have been less reliable, though, leading to far too many easy chances. Omar Gonzalez’s return to the lineup against Germany has helped stabilize that back line. Edge: Belgium.

Bench: Three of Belgium’s four goals have come off the bench while the U.S. got the deciding goal in its lone victory from second-half substitute John Brooks. Belgium’s bench is deeper and more experienced, although it’s been weakened by injuries to the back line. The U.S. sideline features four players with fewer than 10 international caps. Edge: Belgium.

Coaching: Juergen Klinsmann has made very few mistakes in this tournament. He’s been so good, one player has credited his success to the sprinkling of magic “Klinsmann Dust.” A master motivator, Klinsmann also has his U.S. players believing they’re a team of destiny and that’s allowed the team to perform better than the sum of its parts. Belgium’s Marc Wilmots, with more talent at his disposal, has been anything but magical. His team, a dark horse contender for the title coming in, has struggled to find cohesion, leaving it to rely on rare moments of individual brilliance to get by. Against the U.S., by far the best team Belgium will have faced in Brazil, that may not be enough. If the U.S. is to have a chance here it will have to rely heavily on things that are hard to measure: intangibles, heart, team spirit. Edge: U.S.

Prediction: Belgium 1-0.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.