Landon Donovan Saves USA Soccer In Stoppage Time

It took more than 90 minutes of regulation time but the US World Cup squad and captain Landon Donovan were able to avoid a major disappointment and advance out of group play by beating Algeria 1-0. The US needed a win and a win only today to advance after England took a 1-0 lead early in their match against Slovenia. The boys in blue (or in today's case white) played aggressively the entire contest but could not find the net thanks to a combination of missed shots, great Algerian goaltending and more tough officiating (a Clint Dempsey goal was disallowed in the 20th minute on a poor offsides call). Most US fans were feeling an inevitable sense of dread as the game crept into the final minutes knowing that a 0-0 draw would eliminate both teams. Thankfully the leaders of Team USA saved the day in the 91st minute as G Tim Howard started a terrific counter-attack with a long outlet pass to Donovan up the sideline who found striker Jozy Altidore streaking into the box. Altidore then sent the ball into the middle where Dempsey put a shot on Algerian goalkeeper Rais M'Bohli (who was downright stingy throughout the contest) who stopped it but couldn't control the rebound that came out to Donovan who buried the biggest goal is US World Cup history.

This victory means a whole hell of a lot to Team USA and its fans. Not only have they advanced to the knockout round and won our group for the first time since 1930 but the team also showed us a level of patience and maturity that bodes well moving on in the tournament. There was plenty of cause for frustration throughout this game for the US but they never let it bother them and persevered to the final whistle. Nobody besides the Argentinians have displayed a consistently superior level of play in this World Cup which leaves the field wide open for this US team. I'm not saying I'm predicting the US to make a run at the Cup (yet...) but with so many 1-0 games it doesn't take a whole lot for a major upset, especially when a team comes together and plays with heart which I think is what we saw today against Algeria. The dream of Team USA lives on.

In other World Cup news the French National Team completed their WC disaster with a lifeless 2-1 loss to South Africa yesterday. The French team was in shambles after striker Nicolas Anelka was dismissed from the team after criticizing his coach after their opening 0-0 tie against Uruguay. The French team refused to practice after the dismissal and simply fell apart as a result, losing their final two games. This was an example of terrible management as it is pretty clear that everyone on this teamed hated their coach and refused to play for him. I honestly can't say France deserved any better considering they shouldn't have even qualified for the World Cup after a blatantly missed handball in qualifying screwed Team Ireland and landed France in the tournament.

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After Group Play I think Argentina, Germany, Brazil and Portugal are the teams to beat.