United States 1 - 0 Algeria
You never see Landon Donovan smile, but today he did, and it was great. The USA team blew the figurative roof off of Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Port Elizabeth, and if you were so fortunate as to suffer through this match, you're probably still sweaty.
The boat was rocked early on when a hard shot into the net by Dempsey via Gomez was flagged by the ref. Once again, the US was denied a perfectly valid goal. But the team played on, keeping possession of the ball most of the time and looking calm and methodical in the process. The Algerians played a more frenzied game, but that didn't make them less dangerous. Now and then, a stray shot out of nowhere would hit the USA goal post, underscoring the precariousness of a so far winnable situation.
As the game progressed a little further, things continued to look promising for USA, they were making clean, connecting passes and getting into a confident groove. Still no score by the 28th minute, but clearly this fledgeling group has done their homework, as the sports cliche goes. But it's true, they continue to play with far more understanding and control than they have in previous World Cup games. Michael Bradley, a stellar midfielder, was an invaluable asset to this game. He was in constant control over center field, driving plays with the speed of a superhero, his bald head instilling confidence each time you caught sight of him. Donovan seemed to be taking more of a supportive role, and you wondered if and when he might break out and strike.
But the game was still scoreless when halftime came around. Meanwhile, England v Slovenia was taking place simultaneously, and being viewed in an adjacent room at the pub where I watched. During the 28th minute, a loud roar signaled a goal for England, which meant USA had to win in order to move on into the 2nd round.
By the 49th minute, after more near misses and kicks gone either too high or too wide, you got the picture that while this game presented a lot of good storylines, none of them seemed to go anywhere. Which made me think of the whole LOST saga and how poorly that ended...
The game continued with plenty more attempts, but not score. Meanwhile, tension/torture building. By the 60th minute I just wanted to know, 'Is this going to happen or WHAT?" Algerian goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi had blocked everything. It was like he REALLY just didn't want us to win.
75th minute: corner kicks shot and blown, time was running out...
80 minutes: Bornstein out, Beasley in. Couldn't remember if I liked Beasley or not... Then came a free kick for Dempsey, "This is it!" I texted my sister. But no, it wasn't. And with the clock ticking away, the end was coming fast...
83 minutes: Dempsey with a split lip, missed a freekick. Now everyone was feeling the threat of ejection, everyone except for this annoying human vuvuzela guy at the bar who seemed to enjoy shouting "GO USA" sarcastically whenever the situation turned bleak. Had to refocus. Serenity now, focus on game. Blocked out annoying human vuvuzela...
85th minute: It was at this point that I couldn't help but think of that scene in the Godfather II when Fredo tells his nephew how he managed to catch a fish every time he dropped his line in the water...
90 minutes: 4+ stoppage time, Beasley yellow-carded. Okaaaay....
90'33 Close-call by Rafik Saifi, saved by Howard! Whew, thank you Howard!!
And then it happened. Landon Donovan soaring on winged feet towards the Algerian goal, the ball giddily bouncing ahead of him. Pass to Altidore, pass to Dempsey, the ball bounces out--Donovan SCORES!!!!
Time to CELEBRATE!!! Cue music from The Killers.
No comments:
Post a Comment