How the United States got out of the Group of Death alive and well

When the World Cup draw was made in December 2013, it was tough to see a route for the United States to make it out of a group that featured football powerhouses such as Germany, Portugal and Ghana.

Conventional wisdom led many to believe Germany would top the group with their abundance of talent. They're so deep that a second German squad could be formed and would probably finish right behind them. The real debate was who the second place finisher would be.

The main question for the Americans was whether they could overcome Portugal. Not many were willing or capable of envisioning a scenario in which Portugal and their superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, could finish behind a team like the U.S. 

However, such thoughts failed to realize the depth and strength of the Americans. Unlike Portugal, the USA didn't have to rely on its best players, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey, to shoulder the weight of a nation. 

Instead, they relied on, and received important contributions from every player, gritty determination and a little bit of luck throughout the Group Stage to advance past the Group of Death.

John Brooks vs. Ghana

It's simple: The Americans wouldn't have advanced if it wasn't for their late heroics during their opening match against Ghana.

Just when it looked as though their tournament would begin with a draw after a disappointing equalizer from Andre Ayew, it was time for some Hollywood drama.

No, it wasn't Dempsey or Bradley, or even a striker who played hero on this occasion. It was a substitute who nabbed the game-winning goal. Defender John Brooks, who was brought into the match just after halftime, was the hero who sent a nation into a frenzy with a goal immediately after Ghana's equalizer. 

He could hardly believe it himself as he collapsed to the ground after giving his country a critical three points before their match against Portugal. Despite the dramatic win, it wasn't going to get any easier for the Americans.

Dempsey's mid-section vs. Portugal

After allowing the game's opening goal inside the first five minutes when Geoff Cameron's embarrassing miss-kick fell to the feet of midfielder Nani for the easy goal, the U.S. found themselves in a tough spot.

Instead of wilting, the USA emerged stronger from the adversity. In the minutes following the early disappointment, the Americans started to apply great pressure and looked confident on the ball, but failed to grab a goal heading into halftime.

Defender Fabian Johnson was phenomenal in this match, as his surging runs up the right flank caused headaches for the Portuguese full-backs all evening. One of his runs almost produced the equalizer until the ball was cleared off the line. 

But just minutes later, it was Jermaine Jones' thunderous strike that propelled the Americans back into the match. The USA finally grabbed the lead, and confidence soared. Belief that capturing the top spot in the group was a real possibility when Dempsey unconventionally guided Graham Zusi's cross into the net with his mid-section.

But hopes of winning the group were dashed when Ronaldo's superb cross into the box found Varela's head for an injury-time goal, and the team's drew 2-2 after 90 minutes. 

The Germans were next.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Ghana

Just days after U.S. fans were cursing Ronaldo for setting up the tying goal against them, they were singing his praises. It was always going to be a tough task to come out of their group stage finale against Germany with a point. They needed help.

It looked promising for the Americans after a scoreless first half against Germany, but Thomas Müller's 55th minute strike put the U.S. into a panic, not knowing the score of the Portugal-Ghana game as it was played simultaneously.

The main objective at this point was to limit the damage, hope for an equalizer and pray for a Portugal victory.

That prayer was answered in the 80th minute when Ronaldo put Portugal ahead for a 2-1 victory, sending the Americans off to the Round of 16, despite the 1-0 loss against Germany.

Advancing out of the toughest group in Brazil means that the United States will appear in the Round of 16 for the third time in the last four tournaments. 

It's not going to easy, though. They face a tough task in the knockout stage after being matched with Belgium. The U.S. will need to rely on their full cast of players and continue to show the tenacity that's proved doubters wrong to this point of the World Cup in Brazil.