Last-minute goal stuns U.S. in 2-2 tiehttp://www.nbcolympics.com/soccer/news/newsid=191363.html#last+minute+goal+stuns+u+sAmericans overcome early deficit, but Dutch draw even in extra timeThe Americans fell into a tie atop Group B with Nigeria with four points each, two better than the Netherlands. Only two teams advance from the group stage and the Americans face Nigeria on Wednesday, Aug. 13 the final day of group play. The U.S. will be without Adu and defensive midfielder Michael Bradley, both of whom drew their second yellow card in two games, automatically suspending both for the next match.
If the Americans should tie Nigeria and the Netherlands defeat Japan, Japan would be the only team in the group without five points in the standings. As the remaining sides would each have tied each other, goal differential and then the number of goals scored would be used to decide which two teams advance to the single-elimination quarterfinal round.
As a result, regarldess of the Dutch result against Japan, the U.S. will advance with a tie, as the Americans have already scored more goals (three) than Nigeria, which defeated Japan 2-1 today after playing to a scoreless tie against the Dutch on Thursday.
