The USA has won its first two group-stage matches at a World Cup since 1930, securing knockout-round passage.
American soccer fans are experiencing conflicting emotions about their team's potential through the rest of the tournament.
The article explores how two victories have transformed cautious optimism into World Cup championship hopes.
AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.
Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. To subscribe, click here.
