World Cup Day 13: United States Tops Group C; England Advance

Associated Press


PRETORIA, South Africa -- Over and over, everything seemed to go against them.

A referee took away a win last week, and a linesman disallowed another goal Wednesday.

Now there was just 3 1/2 minutes left in their World Cup, just that much remaining until all the doubts about American soccer would rise again.
But then, in one of the most stunning turnarounds in World Cup history, Landon Donovan scored on a lightning fast counterattack 45 seconds into 4 minutes of injury time. With the most amazing late-game moment in American soccer, the United States beat Algeria 1-0 Wednesday and reached the World Cup's second round.

"This team embodies what the American spirit is about," Donovan said. "We had a goal disallowed the other night, We had another good goal disallowed tonight. But we just keep going. And I think that's what people admire so much about Americans. And I'm damn proud."

Former President Bill Clinton lingered in the locker room for 45 minutes after the game to congratulate the players. When Donovan scored, raucous cheers erupted on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and even in White House auditoriums in Washington, D.C., according to e-mails sent to U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati.  [end story]

I still can't believe it.  After our good goal was denied again I deflated on the couch.  Did someone really not want us to win?  Having a win stolen from us against Slovenia by an inept referee was hard to swallow, but then for another blunder to occur in the next game.  How could it be that out of 32 teams, the United States was the only team to suffer this...and twice!!!?

But it didn't matter.  As Landon said above and DaMarcus Beasley said on twitter:
BIG win for us!!! Sooo proud of all 23 players! Thanks for all support from everyone, ALL fans! LOVE ya'll..

Right back at ya, DaMarcus.

Enjoy the victory in photos!

Clint's shot hits the post...

In the 91st...Landon finishes a ball passed from Jozy to Clint (who was upended by the keeper)

The celebration begins

US fans in South Africa go wild!

Traders at the NY Stock Exchange do too!!  Where are the painted faces?  :)

Run, Landon, Run!

Edson and Benny try to keep up!

Clint (8) and Jozy (17) who started the play find Landon

US mob scene at the corner flag!

Jozy Altidore...my Man of the Match.

Everton teammates Tim Howard and Landon Donovan savor the moment

A tweetpic from DaMarcus Beasley of former US President Bill Clinton and Edson Buddle in the lockerroom after the victory.

Now to England.  They advanced on a goal by Jermain Defoe in the 22nd minute.  It wasn't a pretty win (much like the United States) but it was a gritty win.  They had many chances like their American counterparts and came up short each time.  But a win is a win.  They are second in Group C and will face Germany or Serbia  (whomever tops Group D) for the knockout round.

Wayne Rooney came off in the last third of the game.  The announcer said he was hobbling earlier...let's hope that's not an injury for Wazza.  He hasn't played well in the group stage and today wasn't any different.  He had maybe one chance to score which is not like Roo at all. 

Oh my...not sure how much more of this I can take!