Just One Win Can Make a Difference

#6 > United States 1, Algeria 0 June 23

Admittedly, OTA doesn’t follow soccer (or fútbol) that much. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was much more opportunity to watch and play baseball, basketball, and football (fútbol americano). But the World Cup is becoming increasingly popular and with the significant coverage that ESPN gave it this year, it was easier to follow. And besides, the United States’ team was exciting to watch.

The U.S. came into the third and final match of the round robin session with one win and one tie, and really needed a win to advance. They had put themselves in difficult positions in the first two games by allowing early goals and almost did the same thing against Algeria, with a shot on goal hitting the bar, but not going in. The U.S. had chances throughout, but couldn’t convert. And of course, there was another controversial disallowed goal. This time it was Clint Dempsey who had his taken away on a questionable (at best, outright lie at worst) offsides call.

After 90 minutes, there was still no score and it looked like the U.S. team might not advance, even though it hadn’t lost any games. But thankfully, there is the mysterious equivalent to overtime – extra time or stoppage time. And in the 91st minute, the United States had a long breakaway down the field. It looked like Dempsey might get poetic justice and a goal, but his shot was blocked. However, U.S. star Landon Donovan was following at a perfect pace and put the rebounded ball into the corner of the net.

Bandwagon fans came out of the woodwork to celebrate this amazing victory. But maybe some of them will stick around long enough to influence the popularity of this sport before the World Cup rolls around again in 2014.