The newest ride is the USA mens soccer team. It's a thrill a minute...and it will continue for at least another game. The Americans advanced by virtue of defeating Algeria 1-0 on a goal in stoppage time by the face of the team, Landon Donovan.
It took me about six hours to collect myself and gather my thoughts after the match was over.
Think about the ride we've been taken on over the past week.
In the first match, the US conceded and early goal to England due to a defensive meltdown that allowed Steven Gerrard a goal in the match's 4th minute. Four minutes and we're down 1-0? And it lasted until the 40th when Clint Dempsey and the US were gift wrapped a goal by England's goal keeper Robert Green. That would be the last goal of the match. USA 1, England 1. 1 point for the USA in the group.
Next for the Americans was Slovenia who were coming off a 1-0 defeat of Algeria, and the Slovenians were the Group C leaders with 3 points. Again, a slow start resulted in the US attempting to dig out of a 2-0 halftime deficit. After an early goal by Donovan and a late goal by Michael Bradley (both were stunning plays), the match was tied 2-2. Then, it happened. I think we all remember where we were when the now infamous disallowed Maurice Edu goal that would have given the USA a 3-2 lead happened. No goal. Referee blew the call. USA 2, Slovenia 2. Now, the USA had amassed 2 points.
As today's match started, I was sincerely hoping that the Americans would have more early success. In the 7th minute, a shot by Algerian Rafik Djebbour rang loudly off the crossbar. Good sign? At least it didn't go in. But the American had a number of chances throughout the match...and another disallowed goal due to a bad offsides call by the referee's assistant. Replay shows that Dempsey was level with the second Algerian defender and the goal should have stood. Bad sign(s)?
