Most of us will never face a career defining moment of truth. Those who face one will rarely know it until long after the fact. And those who face it square in the eyes usually have the grace of privacy.

World class athletes face their moments of truth in the full view of the world. For some, the moment happens only once every four years - consigning those who peak in an off-year to the should’a could’a of time.

Today is the moment of truth for US Soccer. A bad loss to Italy will re-define the success of 2002 as a fluke and a win will cement its position as an up and comer. The world is watching.