Gregg Berhalter always talked about this World Cup like it was two different competitions. The United Stats succeeded in the first one by surviving the group stage. Now as the old adage goes, in the playoffs anything can happen. The Netherlands await in the Round of 16 and something about this trip to the knockout stage feels different for the USA.
While most of the world still believe the slight edge goes to the Netherlands in this matchup, there is a rare since of optimism surrounding this young and dynamic team. They proved in the group stage they are capable of playing tight matches, having only conceded one goal from the penalty spot in three games.