Team USA advances at WBC, thanks to a complex tiebreaker

The path forward was simple — but out of their control. If Team Mexico scored five or more runs, or if Italy won outright, the United States would slip through on a tiebreaker and advance.

It didn’t take long for the drama to unfold.

By the top of the sixth inning Wednesday night, Italy crossed the plate for its fifth run against Mexico. Just like that, the Americans — watching from the sidelines — had their lifeline. The run effectively punched Team USA’s ticket to the quarterfinals, where a matchup with Team Canada now looms.  

Team Italy went on to a 9-1 victory.

But advancement hasn’t erased the questions.

When the U.S. assembled a roster packed with superstar talent, expectations were sky-high. From manager Mark DeRosa to future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, the lineup looked like a dream team — one many believed would cruise through pool play without breaking a sweat. Instead, the Americans stumbled early and were forced to rely on tournament math rather than on-field dominance.

DeRosa himself has come under scrutiny. Social media lit up with criticism after the manager prematurely claimed Team USA had already clinched a spot before the decisive games had even finished. The misstep only intensified the growing debate over whether he was the right choice to lead a roster this talented.

Now, the Americans get something they desperately need: a reset.

Remaining in Houston for the quarterfinal round, Team USA essentially faces a new challenge — three straight win-or-go-home battles. The pressure resembles playing three consecutive Game 7s.

For all the star power, the offense has been inconsistent. The lineup has struggled with runners in scoring position, often relying on the long ball instead of timely hitting. Much of the production has come from slugger Aaron Judge, whose power has kept the U.S. within striking distance in key moments.

Others haven’t yet delivered. Bryce Harper, one of the biggest names in the tournament, has been largely absent from the offensive spotlight so far.

And if the bats don’t wake up, the pitching staff will need to carry the load.

That responsibility could fall quickly to ace Paul Skenes and a U.S. pitching group that must be sharp against a dangerous Canadian lineup.

For a team built to dominate, the road to the championship just got far more complicated. The question now is whether this near-miss becomes a wake-up call — or the beginning of the end for a roster that was supposed to be unstoppable.