If the U.S. is known for anything in international men's football, it's the team's ability to keep cool and come back when all seems lost. That talent was on display at the World Cup in 2014, when the U.S. men's national soccer team (USMNT) managed to escape what was known as the Group of Death with some truly amazing second-half displays of determination.
But the team's never-surrender ethic has never seen a better showcase than in Amsterdam on Friday, when a revitalized U.S. side managed to defeat the Netherlands -- currently ranked as the sixth best team in the world -- for the first time ever. And on its home turf, no less.
The final scoreline of 4-3 was particularly stunning, given that the USMNT was facing defeat by 3 goals to 1 until the 70th minute -- and considering the key forwards, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, were both benched. Here's how it all went down.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar opened the scoring for the Oranje in the 27th minute, taking advantage of a disorganized U.S. defense to head in this beauty of a cross:
The Americans got a boost five minutes later, though, when the mohawked youngster Gyasi Zardes knocked in his first international goal:
Huntelaar scored again in the 49th minute -- then played a big role in this Memphis Depay goal shortly after, with the U.S. back four still in disarray:
The scoreline stayed at 3-1 for an agonizing 17 minutes, until the USMNT was delivered by an unlikely savior. The 22-year-old defender John Brooks charged upfield like:
Deep into the 87th minute, Danny Williams converted a U.S. corner with this blast from outside the penalty area (and a little deflection):
That made it 3-3, a very respectable scoreline. Given that it was a friendly, and that there were a mere 3 minutes left, other teams might have eased off the gas.
Not the USMNT. Look how the bald-headed Michael Bradley, playing his best international in years, sets this one up for Bobby Wood:
And that, ladies and gents, is the soccer equivalent of a mic drop.