Sometimes the stars align and things just go as they are supposed to. Sometimes heart wins over skills and fighting like a lion pays off against precise footwork.
This was the case during the last group stage match between the United States and Argentina in a warm Uruguayan night back in 1995. The Albiceleste lined up the likes of Gabriel Batitusta and featured Diego Simeone off the bench.
There will not be any pressure on the USMNT Tuesday.
If they win, this is their moment. If they lose, they become part of Argentina's moment. That is a half-decent consolation prize.
Saying there's pressure on the USMNT against Argentina is like saying there is pressure on the bull in a bullfight. The bull is going to die anyway. It is up to the matador to perform.
There are established fan bases across America that all self proclaim themselves "greatest fans in America" like Red Sox Nation, the Cameron Crazies, Big Blue Nation, the Dawg Pound, the list is long and full of a lot of great fans. But there is a "new" kid in town that I feel is taking the nation by storm, and they call themselves the American Outlaws.
The USMNT will dispute Jermaine Jones' red card, the US Soccer Federation announced on Twitter earlier today.
An official protest has been filed against the cards issued to Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood in #USAvECU
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 17, 2016
The USMNT beat Ecuador 2-1 in a match that pretty much had everything. Clint Dempsey bagged a goal and an assist, Gyasi Zardes grabbed the second, and Michael Arroyo pulled one back for Ecuador to set up a grandstand finale.
There was a point, after the USMNT had been destroyed by Brazil, lost to Mexico, drew Trinidad and Tobago and lost against Guatemala, that Jurgen Klinsmann's job seemed very much on the line.
The dizzying heights of the 2014 World Cup seemed an eternity ago. The constant cut-and-paste approach that Klinsmann seemed to take resembled a six-year-old playing FIFA. The USMNT was at its lowest point in years.
Don’t laugh, the United States of America has every reason to believe they can win the Copa America Centenario. Having clinched a birth in the quarter-finals, it’s as good a time as any to dissect this American squad.
In Brad Guzan, they have one of the best goalkeepers on the continent. John Brooks absolutely nullified Paraguay in the most complete manner a defender can. Michael Bradley continues to grow in stature from his holding midfield role, and the USA boasts enough attacking options to trouble the entire Copa field.
A lot was said in the buildup to Tuesday night’s United States versus Costa Rica Copa America group match. For the USA, the stakes were simple enough: win or go stay home. The USA triumphantly answered any questions about their ability to make an impact in this tournament, thrashing the world’s 23rd ranked side 4-0.
The United States were punished 2-0 by Colombia on Friday night to open the 2016 Copa America Centenario. A heavily pro-Colombian crowd in Santa Clara, California, watched as Geoff Cameron carelessly allowed Cristian Zapata to put his side ahead early before James Rodriguez capitalized from the spot on a sophomoric handball from DeAndre Yedlin.
The USMNT face Colombia in the first match of the Copa America Centenario tonight, and they will have to put on a strong showing in order to get anything from the match. They have a potentially tough group that includes World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica and last year's fourth place Copa finishers, Paraguay. It is important for the U.S. to start strong in the hopes of grabbing what could be three vital points.