7 days to the World Cup: USMNT's Jermaine Jones hits a rocket from outside the box vs. Portugal

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.

The United States men’s national team has put up some very memorable goals over the years. Up there near the top is Landon Donovan’s iconic rebound to save the U.S. from elimination in 2010. But also high on the list is from four years later, when Jermaine Jones sent in an absolute blast from outside the box.

In the second game of the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, the U.S. was trailing against Portugal, 0-1, after conceding a goal just five minutes in. But in the 64th minute, Jones equalized with a gorgeous, powerful shot that curled through the box and into the right side netting.

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That goal was one of just four that Jones scored for the U.S. And what a goal it was, with so much speed and power on it that Portugal goalkeeper Beto could only just stand and watch as it went in.

The U.S. went on to draw 2-2 with Portugal: Clint Dempsey scored a go-ahead goal 20 minutes after Jones’ equalizer, but Portugal was able to tie things up in stoppage off a goal from Silvestre Varela.

Even with the draw, the USMNT would later narrowly beat out Portugal to advance to the knockout round: With the two teams tied on points, the U.S.’ even goal differential ended up besting Portugal’s -3.

And though the USMNT’s 2014 World Cup journey would end in the Round of 16 after a loss to Belgium in extra time, the team, and Jones, got to walk away with one of the best goals of the tournament.