TAEGU, South Korea -- Surely even the most enthusiastic American or South Korean optimist could not have predicted this.

Before the World Cup kicked off, the joint hosts and U.S. interlopers were considered long shots to progress through to the final 16; Monday afternoon's 1-1 draw means they top Group D and probably only need a draw from their last group games, against Poland and Portugal, to advance.

It also means that the two anticipated powerhouses of the group -- Portugal and Poland -- are left to scrap for the right to join them.