1.   Fans began to cheer as the teams entered the stadium.

2.   Indeed one could be forgiven for thinking only two teams has entered the tournament.

3.   As the name implies, any US team can enter and, eventually, meet a Major League Soccer team in the quarterfinals.

4.   As the host country, the United States had its team enter last in the parade of nations, igniting a crescendo of cheers.

5.   Both teams entered the contest near the bottom of the league in shooting percentage.

6.   Both teams entered the game missing key players.

7.   Both teams were entering the second half of the season having to put piecemeal teams on the floor because of injuries.

8.   Both teams enter the series with a healthy dose of momentum after upsets of favored teams in the first round.

9.   Both teams entered the game hoping to make a claim for a piece of the title, and it was up to the defenses to make that happen.