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US Beats Algeria, Advances in World Cup on Landon Donovan Goal27
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6/23/2010 11:52 AM ET By Brian Straus

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Brian Straus
Senior Soccer Writer
PRETORIA, South Africa -- The best player on the U.S. national team confirmed his place as the best player in U.S. history at the moment when his team and his country needed him most. Thanks to a lightning-quick stoppage-time counterattack started and finished by 28-year-old Landon Donovan, the Americans overcame an amazing series of earlier misses and their Algerian opponents to win 1-0, and advance to the World Cup's round of 16 as the winners of Group C.

The circumstances could not have been more dramatic or gut-wrenching. A 20th minute goal from Clint Dempsey was called back because of an erroneous offside call from the Belgian linesman, perhaps setting the U.S. up as tragic figures in a play ruined by wayward referees.

But the U.S. had no one but themselves to blame after that. They dominated the match, proving far more threatening on the attack than the Algerians and creating numerous blue-chip scoring chances. The opponents, also with a chance to advance if they won thanks to England's 1-0 win over Slovenia, saw their best chance to score hit the crossbar in just the sixth minute and struggled to create much afterward.

Video: Landon Donovan Goal


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Landon Donovan scored in extra time to send the U.S. into the second round of the 2010 World Cup. -- Watch Video
The U.S. only struggled near the goal. The litany of misses began in the 35th, when Clint Dempsey failed to convert a smart low pass from Donovan. They got ridiculous two minutes later, when Michael Bradley freed Donovan on the right, after which the eventual hero tried to chip the ball toward goal. Jozy Altidore was there at point blank range but somehow blasted it over the bar.

Things got eerie, and agonizing, in the 57th minute, when Dempsey latched onto Altidore's deflected cross and somehow curled his shot off the right post, despite having time and the whole net at which to shoot. It seemed clear that there was something amiss. It was one miss too many. Perhaps the U.S. was playing Algeria, the refs and fate.

Dempsey hit the rebound wide of the left post. The ball was not going to go in for the Americans, now matter how much they dominated. Eleven minutes later, substitute Edson Buddle hit the goalkeeper with a point-blank header.

As the minutes dragged on, coach Bob Bradley did what he could, inserting offensive players and taking chances. But the game slowed somewhat, and there was a sense that the U.S. was resigned to a dismal elimination.

Then Donovan saved the day. Tim Howard started the play just as the 90th minute expired, launching a long throw to Donovan on the right. He'd been invisible almost the entire second half, despite an excellent first, but took his opportunity with the confidence he promised he'd show when the moment came.

Donovan slipped the ball to Altidore on the right, and he crossed it low and in front. Dempsey was there, but so was Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi. Another chance snuffed out. Or missed. Oblivion beckoned. But so did the ball, squirting out toward the six-yard line. And the opportunistic Donovan was there. He didn't miss, and raced toward the left corner flag where he was met by a pile of jubilant teammates.

The U.S. won Group C with a 1-0-2 record. England finished with the same mark and each team had a +1 goal differential, but the Americans won out on goals scored, 4-2. They will now face the Group D runner-up on Saturday in Rustenburg, confident that they can handle any challenge or adversity that comes there way.

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[Duh Huh Dull Sucks]

That was just absolutely nuts. For the refs to screw the U.S. out of a win in the 2nd game and try to do it this game is just unconscionable. I hope this game's ref gets the same punishment as the other. In the end, the U.S. would have won the Group and England would have been 2nd regardless, but it still is just pathetic to see it happen two games in a row.

The U.S. now faces Ghana, the team that embarrassed them right out of the 2006 World Cup. A little redemption would be sweet.

[FrOnT RoW JOE]

redemption would be sweet, but it could be a tough crazy match, should be a fun one to watch

[Duh Huh Dull Sucks]

The U.S. looks to be in the easiest quadrant to get to the semi-finals. Granted, Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea are not pushovers, but they don't draw Germany, Brazil, Argentina, England, Spain, Brazil, or Portugal (let alone France or Italy, who were ousted in the group stage somehow!!!). I think those are the major soccer powers. I really don't pay enough attention other than at the World Cup and Olympics to soccer. There are some "championship caliber" games that will occur in the first round of the knockout stage. Thankfully the U.S. won't have to play the traditional superpowers until the semi's, if they can get there!

[Duh Huh Dull Sucks]

Well, for another 4 years (2 if the team makes the summer olympics), 80+% of the United States will not give a crap about soccer. And even if they do make the Olympics, that percentage won't improve much because we'll all care more about Michael Phelps or some little girl performing twists off the balance beam instead.

When does football start?