LEIRIA, Portugal -- As the U.S. players filed through the mixed zone following Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Portugal, one could sense a collective exhale taking place.
To be clear, this wasn't an exhale that accompanies a good feeling or some state of contentment. Rather, it was the kind of sensation in which a searing pain is hurting just a little bit less, with the hope that the trend will continue.
Yes, there were smiles, and why not? If you can't break into a grin after scoring on your international debut, like Weston McKennie did, then you aren't human.