World Cup: USMNT 2 – Portugal 2

Portugal needed the last moment of the game to keep their World Cup hopes alive against the USMNT in Group G. On a humid and hot night in Manaus, the USMNT fought back to equalize and take the lead, only to see Cristiano Ronaldo send a perfect cross into the box for a 95th minute equalizer.

The USMNT looked in trouble early on against Portugal, with Ronaldo active on the wing. That pressure paid off in the 5th minute when a defensive miscue put the ball on the foot of Nani who opened the scoring. The USMNT had several good opportunities. Michael Bradley forced a goal line clearance from defender Ricardo Costa in the 55th minute. The USMNT finally scored when Jermaine Jones found the back of the net with a shot from outside the box in the 64th minute.

With the score now level, the USMNT kept up the pressure and took the lead with a Clint Dempsey goal in the 81st minute. Ronaldo found Silvestre Valera five minutes into stoppage time, who scored with the last kick of the game.

The USMNT now faces a Group G showdown on the final match day against Germany (Thursday, 12pm – ESPN). Portugal face Ghana at the same time, with all four teams still capable of advancing.

Entering the final match day of Group G, the USMNT can win the group by beating Germany. A draw would mean the USMNT advances in 2nd-place. Should Portugal and Ghana draw, the USMNT also advances regardless of the outcome against Germany. Should the USMNT lose to Germany and either Ghana or Portugal wins, goal difference between the USMNT and the winner of Ghana vs Portugal would determine 2nd-place. The USMNT has a +1 goal differential to Ghana’s -1 and Portugal’s -4.

— GAME REPORT —

Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Portugal
Date: June 22, 2014
Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup – Group G
Venue: Arena Amazonia; Manaus, Brazil
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Attendance: 40,123
Weather: 86 degrees, sunny

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA                        0 2 2
POR                        1 1 2

POR — Nani                                               5th minute
USA — Jermaine Jones                               64
USA — Clint Dempsey (Graham Zusi)           81
POR — Silvestre Varela (Cristiano Ronaldo)  90+5

Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 23-Fabian Johnson, 20-Geoff Cameron, 5-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 15-Kyle Beckerman, 13-Jermaine Jones; 11-Alejandro Bedoya (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 72), 4- Michael Bradley, 19- Graham Zusi (3-Omar Gonzalez, 90+1); 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.) (18-Chris Wondolowski, 87)
Subs Not Used: 6-John Brooks, 10-Mix Diskerud, 12-Brad Guzan, 14-Brad Davis, 16-Julian Green, 21-Timmy Chandler, 22-Nick Rimando, 23-Aron Johannsson
Not Available: 17-Jozy Altidore
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

POR: 22-Beto; 2-Bruno Alves, 13-Ricardo Costa, 19-Andre Almeida (6-William Carvalho, 46), 21-Joao Pereira; 4-Miguel Veloso, 8-Joao Moutinho, 16-Raul Meireles (18-Silvestre Varela, 69); 7-Cristiano Ronaldo (capt.), 17-Nani, 23-Heider Postiga (11-Eder, 16)
Subs not used: 1-Eduardo; 9-Hugo Almeida, 10-Vierinha, 12-Rui Patricio, 14-Luis Neto, 15-Rafa Silva, 20-Ruben Amorim
Not Available: 3-Pepe (suspended), 5-Fabio Coentrao, 9-Hugo Almeida, 12-Rui Patricio
Head Coach: Paulo Bento

Stats Summary: USA / POR
Shots: 15 / 21
Shots on Goal: 5 / 7
Saves: 5 / 3
Corner Kicks: 6 / 4
Fouls: 11 / 14
Offside: 1 / 4

Misconduct Summary:
USA — Jermaine Jones (caution)        75th minute

Officials:
Referee: Nestor Pitana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Hernan Maidana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Pablo Belatti (ARG)
Fourth Official: Walter Lopez (GUA)