Before the Opening

The pitch-side microphones caught only the tail of the exchange, but the cameras captured Brooks's face. In the eighty-first minute, Colombia began to push. A U.S. midfielder lost the ball, and the Colombian striker broke through. Before the goalkeeper could commit, Mason chased back from near midfield and put his body in the way at the edge of the box. It was not a clean tackle. But it was enough to force the shot wide. Mason hit the grass, his left knee striking hard. The doctor stood immediately. The stadium quieted for a second. Mason pushed himself up on his palms, his face pale. Hayes did not send the doctor on. He asked only, "Can you walk?" Mason nodded. "Then keep playing."