Aimee
MANAUS, Brazil – Jermaine Jones has been the villain. He’s been the goat. Now, he’s arguably the United States’ best player at the 2014 World Cup.
On a night when Jurgen Klinsmann needed everything and more from the 32-year-old to help stifle Cristiano Ronaldo and a desperate Portugal side, Jones somehow delivered more than his head coach could have ever hoped for in a 2-2 draw that left the Americans a result (or a little luck) away from the knockout stage.
And for all his tireless work in the midfield, it was a moment of offensive brilliance that Jones will be remembered for long after the US leave the banks of the Amazon. Down 1-0 in the 64th minute, he latched onto a loose ball at the top of the box then thundered a right-footed shot that curled inside the far post as Portugal goalkeeper Beto watched helplessly, feet rooted to the turf.
Tie game. Momentum shift. Perhaps even goal of the tournament so far.
