Instead they packed their bags after the scoreless draw as the United States stayed behind, left to wonder how their journey for an unprecedented third consecutive title had nearly turned into utter disaster.
Had they exited, it would have been the worst World Cup performance for the top-ranked team and would have marked the first time that defending champions had gone out in the group stage.
Doing so will require that the United States resolve their lack of synchrony, with Andonovski previously blaming the starters' lack of playing minutes together.
"We have to get on the same page when it comes down to the final goal, to the final pass and execution."
"I wouldn’t say that the midfield three was disjointed - obviously we wanted to see them more connected," said Andonovski.
Persons:
Alyssa Naeher, Lindsey Horan, David Rowland AUCKLAND, Ana Capeta ricocheted, Carli Lloyd, Vlatko Andonovski, Andonovski, Lynn Williams, Trinity Rodman, Ines Pereira, Williams, Rose Lavelle, Amy Tennery, Sonali Paul
Organizations:
Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, Fox Sports, Sweden, Thomson
Locations:
New Zealand, Portugal, United States, Eden, Auckland , New Zealand, U.S, Melbourne, American, Auckland