THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: June 25, 2014

Heartache.

Devastation.

Disappointment.

And that's not even close to describing what happened in the second match of pool play to the U.S. men's soccer team at the World Cup on Sunday.

JUST IN case you weren't paying attention, the U.S. took a 2-1 lead late in the match against Portugal, with a win and advancement to the knockout round all but for certain.

Apparently someone forgot to tell Portugal.

In the 95th minute - five minutes of extra time for injuries and such - Portugal found a way to tie the game, finishing the match off with a draw after the U.S. defense failed to clear a ball out before a player booted it past US goalkeeper Tim Howard.

On the bright side, it doesn't kill the chances of the U.S. of advancing in the Cup, at least yet.

All that needs to happen is either a win or another draw against Germany on Thursday morning in the final pool play game for both. Same thing for Germany, as a tie or win will advance them as well.

But to lose a match, on the final kick of the game, hurts just a little bit.

Had the U.S. already clinched a spot in the next round, it could have rested some players in an effort to conserve energy, but that won't happen.

One ESPN commentator added that the late goal wasn't going to be something that they look back on as the thing that kept them from the next round.

Hopefully it doesn't, but you can't help but wonder if it will.

AFTER ADVANCING to four straight NBA finals with the Miami Heat, LeBron James opted out of his deal on Tuesday afternoon, also blowing up Twitter and other social media sites with the news.

Now, we wait for The Decision, again.

Earlier this weekend, Carmelo Anthony also told the New York Knicks that he was going to become a free agent and opt out of the final year of his contract.

Was it a ploy by both to go somewhere and play together next year, maybe?

Did LeBron opt out in order to take less money in Miami to get better players?

Soon enough, everyone will find out where and who LeBron will be playing with next season, and the next few after that.

But it almost makes me wonder what if?

What if the Heat could have kept up with San Antonio in the finals and won a third straight championship? Might that have kept LeBron, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami for another couple of years?

What if LeBron, energetic about Cleveland's pick at No. 1 in this week's NBA Draft, decides to go back to the Cavaliers? Will those fans welcome him back with open arms?

Or will those fans feel that same heartache and devastation that hit them four years ago.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at JEPressSports.