AFTER U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel played the finest game of his life on the grandest stage in the world, he reflected on being discounted, about fighting for every inch gained, then surprising so many by finally achieving success.

He could have been talking about his own career, but he was talking about the U.S. team's journey.

In a way, Friedel's own path to recognition on the world stage mirrors that of the United States.

Friedel struggled to get a starting role overseas in the mid-1990s and more recently battled for the starting spot with Kasey Keller on the U.S. national team.

But in this World Cup, Friedel finally was given his chance. He plucked the opportunity in midair and punted it a mile.

In the 1-1 draw against South Korea on Monday, Friedel's seven saves included a blocked penalty kick and several close-range stops. Friedel was under siege continually, as the Koreans outshot the USA 19-6.

Few in the world expected the USA to be in this position.

If the Americans draw or defeat winless Poland on Friday, they will advance to the second round of the World Cup.

Making the round of 16 would complete a remarkable turnaround from the Americans' last-place finish at the 1998 World Cup in France.

The top two finishers in each of the 32-team tournament's eight first-round groups advance to single-elimination play. In Group D, South Korea and the USA, which opened with a 3-2 win against highly favored Portugal, are 1-0-1.

They are followed by Portugal (1-1), which beat Poland 4-0 on Monday, preventing the Poles from advancing.

The USA and South Korea have four points: three for a win, one for a tie.

"Brad was the difference between one point and zero points," U.S. defender Jeff Agoos said.

"He came up really big, not just on the penalty kick but on several situations.

"Usually a keeper comes up with one save to save the game, and he came up with more than one. He did a phenomenal job."

Said South Korea coach Guus Hiddink, "I also want to give credit to goalie Friedel for making 100% saves on 100% chances."

Although it wasn't quite 100%, as the USA gave up a goal, it was close.

In the 78th minute, off a free kick, Korea's Ahn Jung-hwan simply outjumped Agoos to head the ball into the right side of the net. There was nothing Friedel could do.

That the USA finds itself on the cusp of the second round is surprising, given the fits and starts over the last decade or so.

In 1990 the USA made it to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years but was quickly dismissed in the first round.

In 1994 the USA hosted the tournament and the upstart Americans advanced to the second round before losing to Brazil, the eventual champions.

The surge of interest gave birth to a pro league, Major League Soccer, which has struggled to find a place in America's crowded sports landscape.

Then, just when it seemed as if the USA was assured a spot in the 2002 World Cup, there was another major stumble.

The Americans lost three consecutive qualifying games last year and barely hung on to advance.

That Friedel is on the edge of worldwide recognition is equally stunning, considering his beginnings.

How does a guy from a suburb in Cleveland have a British accent?

The 31-year-old lived most of the last seven years abroad.

After leaving UCLA following his junior season, in which he won the Hermann Trophy as the college player of the year, Friedel was met with resistance when he tried to play in the English Premier League.

After his appeal for a work permit to play for Newcastle was denied, he signed with a Danish team and then a Turkish team.

In 1996 and 1997, he came back home to play for MLS' Columbus Crew.

Then it was back overseas to Liverpool of the English Premier League.

But the English employment agency snubbed his request for a work permit two more times. He finally made his debut for Liverpool at the end of 1997, starting the final 11 games.

During the '98-'99 season with Liverpool he started 12 games.

In 1999 at Liverpool, he struggled before an impatient manager and restless fans.

Finally, in 2000, Friedel got his chance to shine when he was transferred to Blackburn.

This season he was recognized as one of the top keepers in England. Not bad for a bloke from Cleveland.

But then came the U.S. starting keeper saga.

During World Cup qualifying, the focus was on whom coach Bruce Arena would choose to start in goal: Friedel or Keller, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur.

Last summer a frustrated Friedel reportedly threatened to quit the team.

He had just gotten married, without time for a honeymoon, then sat on the bench for two World Cup qualifiers in a row. Friedel and Arena now call it a misunderstanding.

Once the team arrived in Seoul two weeks ago. Arena said he might rotate his world-class keepers.

After minor injuries to Keller, Friedel started against Portugal and Korea for what Arena felt was superior footwork between the posts.

Friedel is better at blocking with his legs, which was needed against the relentless Korean attack.

It doesn't hurt that at 6-4 and with preposterously long limbs, he looks like The Addam's Family's Lurch standing among so many Lilliputians.

"His knuckles are pretty bloody when he starts walking because they drag on the floor," Agoos deadpans.

"He's got a huge wingspan, and we certainly appreciated that today."

After such a transcendent performance, Friedel has likely changed Arena's plans of swapping keepers.

A win against Poland will only start to change the global perception of American soccer. Friedel understands the world snub, to a point.

"We don't have a top league in the world. On a day-to-day basis, we don't compete (for attention) against the other sports in our country," he said.

"We don't have big TV contracts to put ourselves in events like the Champions League.

"We qualify in the CONCACAF region and even though the CONCACAF teams haven't lost a game here, I don't think people will give those teams much respect.

"That's just how it is. I would love to have a good run in this tournament and be the underdog in every single game.

"Going to the second round would be good," he said. "But if we can get farther than that, I will go back to Blackburn a very, very happy man."

Truth is the bloke from Cleveland has already broken the mold.

Now, he hopes his team can do the same, against the World Cup upper crust.