DAEGU, South Korea - History beckons.
Whether it will be goalkeeper Brad Friedel who answers the call with another standout game against Poland, or the Mohawk-cropped Clint Mathis who replies with another goal out of nowhere, only time will tell.
What is known is that the United States battled South Korea to a 1-1 tie yesterday in front of an enthralled throng of 60,778 at the Daegu World Cup Stadium, where Friedel saved a penalty kick, Mathis scored in his World Cup debut and both teams walked out of the stadium with honor satisfied.
When Portugal plundered Poland, 4-0, later in the day, the United States was positioned to reach the second round - if it can tie or beat the Poles on Friday.
The Americans have visited that lofty plateau only twice before in their soccer history - in 1930 and 1994.
"We were playing against a nation," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena.
The Koreans, buoyed by drum-banging, flag-waving "red devils" inside the stadium and millions more who watched on big screens around the country, dominated the match. Friedel faced a barrage of 19 shots, 10 of them on target, but it was his save on Lee Eul Yong's 40th-minute penalty kick that kept the United States in control.
"I gave a little bit of a fake, like I was going left, and returned back to the middle," Friedel said. "I was fortunate enough that he put it in my reach."
Mathis had made no such mistake on his scoring chance in the 24th minute.
The U.S. goal was created out of almost nothing by John O'Brien, who took possession at midfield, made a run toward the South Korean net and then lofted a pass over the head of defender Hong Myung Bo and into the path of Mathis, who timed his run perfectly.
Mathis controlled the ball with his right foot, allowed it to bounce once and then unleashed a shot with his left that flew into the lower right corner of the net.
In the 78th minute, South Korea finally found a way to beat Friedel. Awarded a free kick at midfield, Lee floated the ball toward the far post and Ahn Jung Hwan out-jumped Jeff Agoos to head the ball into the right corner of the net.
"We created five, six, seven [scoring] chances," said South Korea's coach, Guus Hiddink. "The goalie was tremendous, but ... we should have scored at least once [more]."
The best chance arose in the 89th minute, when Lee took a pass from Ahn and raced to the end line before cutting the ball back to Choi Sung Yong, who had only Friedel to beat from 6 yards to give South Korea a goal and all but assure it a place in the second round with a victory.
But Choi blasted the ball over the bar, and South Korea now must tie or defeat the surging Portuguese if it hopes to avoid becoming the first host nation in World Cup history to fail to reach the second round.
The United States, which lost all three games in the 1998 World Cup, has a slightly different perspective, unbeaten after two games at Korea/Japan 2002.
"If you had asked most people months ago whether the U.S. would have four points after its first two matches, I think 100 percent of them would have said no," Arena said. "I'm going to take it and get out of town real quick."
Grahame L. Jones is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, a Tribune Publishing company. Wire services contributed to this article.
Next for U.S. team
Opponent:Poland in World Cup
Site:Jeonju, South Korea
When:Friday, 7:25 a.m.
TV:ESPN
How the U.S. team can advance to the next round:
With a win or a tie
With a loss if South Korea beats Portugal on Friday
With a loss if Portugal beats South Korea by two more goals than Poland beats the U.S. team
South Korea 0 1 - 1
United States 1 0 - 1
First half-1, United States, Mathis 1, 24th minute.
Second half-2, South Korea, Ahn 1, 78th.
Shots at goal-South Korea 19, United States 6.
Shots on goal-South Korea 10, United States 5.
Missed penalty kick-South Korea, Lee Eul-yong, 40th, saved. Yellow cards-South Korea, Hong, 80th. United States, Hejduk, 30th; Agoos, 39th.
Offsides-South Korea 3, United States 3. Fouls-South Korea 17, United States 18. Referee-Meier, Switzerland. Linesmen-Bereuter, Austria; Tomusange, Uganda. A-60,778.