The United States appeared doomed to a 1-1 draw against Ghana in their opening game of the World Cup after conceding a goal to Andre Ayew in the game's 82nd minute, but then substitutes Graham Zusi and John Brooks connected for a beautiful goal on a corner kick in the 86nd minute to give the Americans a miraculous and much-needed three points.
The USA now sits with the Germans atop of Group G entering this weekend's slate of games, but advancement is no guarantee with a Portuguese team led by Christiano Ronaldo and a German side believed by many to be the best squad in the entire tournament still left on the United States' schedule.
So what needs to happen for the Americans to advance to the knockout round?
Here's a breakdown of all the possible outcomes based on the result the USA gets against Portugal on Sunday. (NOTE: Since Portugal already has a goal differential of -4 after one game, I'm assuming they lose any tiebreak scenario. Alternatively, since Germany's is +4 I assume they win any tiebreak scenario).
If the USA beats Portugal
This outcome gives the United States six points and almost assures them of advancing to the knockout rounds.
How they advance: With a win against Portugal the USA advances with a Germany win or draw against Ghana on Saturday.
How they don't: This is possible, but extremely unlikely. If Ghana defeats Germany and Portugal, then Germany wins against the USA, the United States, Germany and Ghana will all have six points and the top two teams based on goal differential will advance.
If the USA draws Portugal
This is where things start to get confusing. The United States is still likely to make it out of the group in this situation, but Ghana drawing or winning against Germany spawns many different scenarios that could leave the Americans at home.
How they advance: A USA draw combined with Germany taking down Ghana guarantees the United States of advancement unless Portugal is somehow able to overcome their massive negative goal differential.
How they don't: Assuming the USA loses to Germany, Ghana playing the Germans to a draw and then beating Portugal puts the USA and Ghana at four points apiece, tied for second place. The United States' win over Ghana gives them the goal differential advantage for now, and the Americans can avoid this altogether if they can draw or win against Germany. The most dangerous scenario is if Ghana beats Germany. This gives the USA four points, Ghana three, Germany three, and Portugal one entering the final matchups of group play. Ghana then winning against Portugal puts the USA in a tight spot, requiring them to win against Germany to advance. If Ghana draws Portugal then the USA will have to win or draw Germany to avoid a tiebreak with Ghana.
If the USA loses to Portugal
Now this is where things get dicey, with the United States having to win or draw against Germany to have a shot at advancing.
How they advance: The USA rebounding with a win against Germany will get them out of the group unless Ghana defeats both Germany and Portugal. Then whoever has the better goal differential between Ghana and the United States will advance.
How they don't: A loss against Germany will eliminate the United States. A USA draw against the Germans opens up way too many scenarios to go through individually, but it long story short the Americans will require a lot of help from the other teams in their group and even still the odds are long.