Wales were victims of their own formation in the first period against the USA, sitting too far back and unable to effectively counter.
The Yanks enjoyed much of the opening 30 minutes, with the lion's share of possession, and pressed high up the pitch whenever not on the ball.
Yunus Musah was notably a breath of fresh air for his team on the left side in the middle of the park.
The USA grabbed a well-earned lead as Christian Pulisic put Timothy Weah in on goal ten minutes before the break for 1-0. The 22-year-old tucked his chance beyond Wales veteran Wayne Hennessey.
Toward the end of the first-half, the Dragons appeared to find a second wind, which was brought on by a need to go forward in greater numbers.
The second-half carried on as the first ended as an energised Wales pushed forward and looked more creative.
Ben Davies was tantalisingly close to scoring just after the hour mark, as he saw a dramatic diving header saved by goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Gareth Bale was handed an opportunity to equalise from the spot with less than ten minutes on the clock. And, despite a quiet evening until the penalty, he made no mistake.
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On-the-minute updates from the match below...
FULL-TIME: Wales enjoyed the second period as much as the USA enjoyed the first and are good value for their 1-1 draw in Group B.
'89 - A solo run by Brennan Johnson took him deep inside the USA's box, but his weak effort was easily caught by Turner.
'81 - GOAL! Wales are level. Bale has scored from the spot. 1-1.
'71 - Three changes for the USA: Dest comes off for DeAndre Yedlin, Yunus Musah is replaced by Kellyn Acosta and Josh Sargent makes way for Haji Wright.
'68 - Wales now look the more likely to score. In fact, the USA have not had a shot on target since scoring.
'64 - Wales come close! Matt Turner denies a diving header by Ben Davies from close range. Wales' first attempt on target.
'57 - The game is truly a battle of the midfielders with Wales now enjoying a bit more of the ball than in the first period.
'50 - Tim Team is shown a yellow card for a tactical foul on Bale trying to break on a counter-attack.
'45 - Kieffer Moore has been brought on for Wales, replacing Daniel James.
HALF-TIME: It would be fair to say the USA enjoyed that period a lot more than Wales. 1-0.
'43 - Either going behind has galvanised Wales or the USA are slowly running out of steam, with the Dragons enjoying more of the ball now.
'40 - Gareth Bale is shown a yellow card.
'35 - GOAL! USA have taken the lead through Timothy Weah (assist by Christian Pulisic).
'27 - Wales are trying to get more involved, but are struggling to put together enough passes with so few players high up the pitch.
'20 - The USA are showing a lot of energy, which Wales are struggling to match at the minute.
'12 - Weston McKennie joins his USA team-mate, Dest, in the book.
'10 - Sergino Dest is shown the first yellow card of the game, clattering Wales' Neco Williams.
'8 - Great save by Wayne Hennessey, denying the USA an unusual goal as Joe Rodon cannoned a header toward his own goal.
'2 - Shortly after kick-off and the USA are already putting Wales under pressure with some tight passing.
