As the minutes ticked away, the chances for the U.S. World Cup squad to advance was getting more and more unlikely. In many fans minds, it was over even though we kept attacking. All I could think about was waiting another four years for them to get another chance to prove themselves to the soccer World. But there it was -the changing moment. Landon Donovan’s 90th minute goal is arguably one of the best moments in U.S. soccer history!
It was a must win situation for U.S.A. in their final game vs. Algeria. This game had American soccer fans biting their nails and caused many pits in stomachs. I know my stomach couldn’t handle it. They had some incredible chances, but nothing was falling for them. Once again, they even had a poor decision made by the ref which took a goal back from them.
England was playing against Slovenia as the U.S. played Algeria. If England won their match, it would force the U.S. into a must win situation. We all knew that England took a lead early in the game and it was unlikely that Slovenia would get the equalizer with England’s strong and experienced backline. As each minute ticked away, it seemed as if the American boys were going home.
In the 90th minute, the U.S. had another counter attack. But this time it actually meant something. The ball was moved from north to south and this play ended with one of the most theatrical moments in U.S. soccer history.
To no surprise Landon Donovan made it happen. His performance in this World Cup puts him down in the U.S. books as one of the best American soccer players of all time, if not the best.
This game winner meant more than just advancing to the next round. It also meant that we finished the group stage ahead of England and on top of the tables for the first time in the modern era. The round of 16 match will be played vs. Ghana, the team that sent us home in the previous World Cup.
This team has more fight in them than other team I’ve seen in the World Cup so far. Hopefully they can bring the same level of intensity to Ghana. The winner of this match plays the winner of South Korea vs. Uruguay. And the winner of that advanced to the Semi-finals. We couldn’t ask for a better draw at this point!
If the U.S. brings their best game to Ghana, they should do just fine. With a win, soccer may just grow a bit more in the U.S. They’ve made it extremely exciting and I’m sure they’ll continue to give us something to talk about vs. Ghana.
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