U.S. Beats Algeria to Advance on Landon Donovan Goal

Tension hung over the field of play as the U.S. battled Algeria winning 1-0 win when Landon Donovan picked up a rebound in the 91^st minute and smashed it to the back of the net on the field in Pretoria. The Algerians were attacking but space opened up in the defense as the U.S. took possession and counter attacked. The U.S. advances to the final round of 16 after a match in which President Bill Clinton attended in person as a spectator.

"We had to take some risks . . . the ball fell to me and time kind of stopped," said Donovan in a post-game interview. "People who know me closest know how hard I worked for the moment."

Donovan is the "name" player for the U.S. and his goal reminded me of Sydney Crosby's winning goal for the Canadians in overtime at the Olympics to win the gold medal game over the U.S. The name player is positioned to come through in the clutch.

Donovan refused to answer a question about Clint Dempsey's disallowed goal just saying the U.S. team embodies the spirit of America and they're going to push on. The U.S. had numerous chances to score including Dempsey kicking a close one off the post.

The disallowed goal was another referee mystery-decision. Replays from different angles looked as though Dempsey was level with Algerian's defenders while he waited for a cross. But the matter vanishes from concern as the U.S. rests before the next round.

Click here for a previous article on referees and the call made in the U.S. - Slovenia match.

Before this tournament, the U.S. has their best team finish when they placed third in 1930 which was the inaugural World Cup. They beat Belgium 3-0. The Americans reached the quaterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.

While the American team looks ahead, fans who want to pause and look back to learn about the history of soccer in the United States can log on to the American Soccer History Archives. League standings are included from 1894 to 2010. There are links to additional pro and semi-pro sites along with essays and articles.