Tylers hopes for an unbeatable season for the Cougars disappear when his friend Zack, the teams hot-shot midfielder, and two more of their best players accept an offer to play for the Panthers, an elite travel team. Tyler has to admit hes pleased when Coach Murray puts him in Zacks midfielder position. But playing the middle is tough and Tylers spirits really sink when the Cougars loss their season opener in a close gameand the next game, too. Then an elderly English soccer fan tells Tyler about Americas 1-0 surprise upset of Englandthe worlds number one teamin the 1950 World Cup. Any game can be won or lost by a single play, Mr. Robertson insists. But will one play really be enough to beat the top-ranked Mustangs? Fred Bown offers an exciting story of a young athlete who must build up his confidence in order to build up his teamseven if it means losing his best friend. The exciting play-by-play game action as well as the victories and upsetson and off the fieldwill keep young readers on the edge of their seats.