Confidence is such a fragile thing. One moment you've got it, the next minute it's gone and difficult to recover it.
Take the case of one Landon Donovan. In the USA's World Cup opener, a 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic, the 24-year-old star played without it.
During Saturday's 1-1 draw with Italy, Donovan regained it and was an important reason why the U.S. left Kaiserslautern with a precious point and still with a chance to reach the second round.
The Los Angeles Galaxy star expects to bring his rediscovered mojo into Thursday's vital confrontation against Ghana in Nuremberg. The U.S. must win that encounter and Italy defeat the Czech Republic.
"We have to win," he said Monday during a press conference in Hamburg. "There's a chance we are going to win the game and not advance. If we get lucky, we get lucky."
After such a physical and ill-mannered match in the 1-1 draw with Italy, Donovan now is forced to become an Italian fan in its game Thursday against the Czech Republic, using the philosophy of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"Listen, I'm rooting for Italy for the rest of the week," Donovan said. "As far as I'm concerned, they're the nicest guys in the world."
In some respects, Donovan played like a nice guy against the Czechs -- too nice.
Donovan's problem against the Czechs was his lack of aggression. As the team's most vital attacking player -- he can score and create goals -- Donovan must be at, well, 100 percent in mind and body. If he isn't, then expect a long game for the USA.
"It was initially a confidence thing," he said. "This team doesn't get beat 3-0 very often. ... I took a lot of heat for the Czech game. That's part me and part team. I didn't get the ball enough."
Donovan heard plenty from teammates and the coaching staff.
"There was no shortage of criticism," Donovan said. "It was pretty clear what the message was: Be more aggresive, and you're good enough to play at this level."
Donovan said he had regained his confidence late in the first half.
"I finally got the ball with some space and ran a little and gave the ball to Bobby (Convey)," he said. "When I get the ball, I want to run at people and get more space.
"The confidence grew as the game went on. I have to find ways to get the ball. You don't want to take away from Claudio (Reyna) or get into Pablo's (Mastroeni) space."
U.S. coach Bruce Arena called Donovan "a real warrior" after Saturday's performance.
"I believe in Landon," he said. "He's a great player. It's not like he's been through all the wars or fully developed at 24. He demonstrated to the world, and more importantly to his teammates, what he is capable of doing. Landon did things (against Italy) that I have never seen him do on the field before."
Four years ago in Korea, Donovan was an unknown on what he could accomplish international at the age of 20. He became a key player in the U.S.'s quarterfinal run. In fact, some FIFA officials thought he was the best young player of the Cup.
"There's a lot of difference," Donovan said. "The last time I could be the kid just helping out where I could.
"Now, there's a lot more dependence. I need to perform consistently, It's not coming in and out of games. I'm also a better player, a more experienced player. I also see the game better than I did."
One thing is clear: Group E has turned into the "Group of Death." Through the second bracket of games, Group E is the only one of eight divisions in which the last-place team -- the U.S. -- has a point -- and still has an opportunity to advance.
A last-place team still in the running for first place on the third match day certainly is a rare occurrence at World Cups.
"With all due respect, I think this is the toughest group in the World Cup," Donovan said. "Ghana beat the second-ranked team in the world. I have to assume this is the 'Group of Death' so to speak."
Michael Lewis writes about soccer for the New York Daily News and is editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He can be reached at SoccerWriter516@aol.com. Views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com.
