Just when the world was about to be forced to recognize the United States as a relevant force, a power, a soccer nation — something the globe and its fans have begrudged to do — Portugal broke American hearts and snatched an equalizer in the final seconds to draw with the U.S., 2-2.
It was the sourest of notes to finish a game that the U.S. deserved to win after going toe-to-toe with one of the world's top-ranked teams.
But Cristiano Ronaldo, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, and his lone contribution to the game didn't wipe out the clear message that arrived: U.S. soccer is on its way to elite status and Jurgen Klinsmann is the right man for the job.
The result means a win/draw with Germany or a loss to Germany but a Ghana-Portugal tie on Thursday are the U.S.'s remaining clear paths to the Round of 16.
Ghana's spirited effort and eventual draw with the No. 2-ranked Germans on Saturday had further validated the U.S.'s first win of the tournament against the gifted African side.
During this World Cup, the U.S.’s qualifying region has also proved to be far more talented than expected – endorsing the Americans even more so.
Teams from CONCACAF, the FIFA confederation that governs soccer in North and Central America, include the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Honduras. At the 2014 World Cup CONCACAF squads have excelled and have a record of 4-2-2 in Brazil.
Honduras is the only CONCACAF team yet to lose, doing so twice. Meanwhile, Costa Rica has already advanced to the knockout stages via two wins against previous World Cup winners England and Italy. Mexico won its opening match and then tied tournament-favorite Brazil.
The U.S. finished atop the CONCACAF standings this year with 22 points in 10 games to qualify for the tournament. That originally looked like an easy feat. No longer.
Had the U.S. held on to defeat Portugal it would have represented the country's quickest route to the knockout stage in World Cup history by doing so after two games.
According to ESPN's Paul Carr, the U.S. was 0-16-4 when conceding first in World Cup matches. The Americans came within seconds of rewriting a history of bowing out when the chips are down.
This U.S. side did nothing of the sort this time around and only seemed to be antagonized by going down a goal. They fought back and deserved all three points.
Although true top-tier teams don't make the mental lapses that cost the U.S. at the beginning and — oh, so very — end on Sunday, it's speaks volumes that such heartbreak comes against the world's No. 4-ranked team.
In the 2010 World Cup, the U.S. trailed late into a group match only to storm back and tie the game 2-2, earning a valuable point. That was against Slovenia. Notice a difference?
Also, in that instance the U.S. was forced to come from behind. Now we're seeing teams having to chase the Americans. Typing that is new. Reading that is new. A sports revolution may and well be truly upon us in America.
Much of this is thanks to U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
His hands were all over this game as he's fashioned this U.S. team to mimic the European style of play — possession based offense with smart movement coupled by strong defense that initiates the attack via passing or running at speed. This is by no means surprising considering Klinsmann is German – he won the World Cup with his home nation in 1990 and coached them to a 3rd place finish in 2006 — and brought seven dual nationals with him to Brazil.
Jermaine Jones, a dual-citizen raised in Germany, was the U.S.'s top player on the day, smashing home a lovely long range effort to tie the game and playing the initial pass that led to the American's second goal. Jones plays his club football for Schalke in Germany's top league. He knows the European style well.
A European nation has won three of the last four World Cups and 10 of the 19 total tournaments.
Captain Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley have had successful spells in Europe. To continue its progress, the U.S. needs its talent to stream through the top soccer leagues in England, Italy, Germany and Spain.
From a coaching perspective, Klinsmann has not set a foot wrong in Brazil. His lineups and tactics have equipped the U.S. well for each opponent thus far and each time put the American's in a position to win.
His substitutions have proved superb as well. John Brooks, anyone? With his game-winning goal against against Ghana, the 21-year-old defender became the first-ever U.S. player to come off the bench and score in a World Cup.
There’s a reason it took until 2014 for that to happen. Part of it is a country lacking depth in soccer talent. Part of it is lacking a quality coach. Klinsmann filled one of those needs immediately when he signed on in 2011.
So often a team's shortcomings are blamed on its leader. Sunday's failure to hold on against Portugal came down to the players.
The way things finished in Manaus will take an emotional toll but with Klinsmann leading the way, U.S. soccer can continue to forge a new and improved path.
Nicolas Hallett is a staff writer for 105 The Ticket. He recently graduated from the University of Minnesota and has written for the Murphy News Service, the Minnesota Daily and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Follow him on Twitter at @nicolashallett