If you haven’t heard by now the US Soccer team is poised to make some noise in the World Cup. They’ve advanced to the knockout stage and, as with any single elimination tournament, anything can happen. While that is remarkable in itself, it’s the way in which they advanced which is the real story. It was like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Going into the final game of the group stages, the US was in a must win situation against Algeria. In the previous game against group leader Slovenia, they rallied, down two goals, to even the score 2-2. Only to have the winning goal disallowed by an apparition of a foul call (which has yet to be explained). The US now found themselves tied with England for group points, while still clinging to a slight goal advantage (US-3 goals; England-1 goal). It was must-win time for Old Glory.

America was already expected to win, but now they HAD to win. The pressure was indeed on. And you could see it from the very start. Algeria seemed content to let the Americans come forward on the attack and then counter at the right moment. America was happy to oblige them. The US continually pushed the tempo, attacking at every opportunity. But Algerian goalkeeper, Rais M’Bolhi was not impressed. It seemed every American shot was right at him, even if it wasn’t. He defended masterfully, diving across the goal, leaping into the air, sliding into danger to prevent goals.  Even when it appeared as if the US had found the key to his defense, the spirits of the pitch denied us once again. US midfielder Michael Bradley had been taken down, just 12 yards from the Algerian goal. Yet he managed to find forward Herculez Gomez to his right, while still on the ground. Gomez corralled the pass and went in for the shot. And once again M’Bolhi stood his ground. The rebound game back to Gomez who took another shot which was kicked away by Algeria’s Madjid Bougherra. But the ball bounced to US midfielder Clint Dempsey who took his shot, and scored!!!!!!!!! He ran down the field, arms raised in triumph!!!! Then he saw the assistant referee with his flag raised, signaling offsides. Time was running out, and the US needed a miracle.

The game had gone on into stoppage time; the US had just four minutes to make something happen. Algeria was not on the attack going in for a shot against US goalkeeper Tim Howard. The shot……SAVED!!!!! Howard had kept elimination at bay. He didn’t need to look at the clock, because he knew what had to be done. You see Algeria had pushed its forces forward, which left them vulnerable to a US counter-attack. Howard hurled the ball forward just as Leonidas, surrounded by the Persian army, launched his spear in defiance at Xerxes. The ball came to US forward Landon Donovan who was streaking down the right side, leading the counter-attack. As he reached the final 1/3 he saw forward Jozy Altidore to his right and Clint Dempsey making a run down the middle of the pitch. Donovan played the ball to Altidore, who pushed around to corner then crossed the ball to Dempsey trailing the play. Dempsey took his shot………BLOCKED BY M’BOLHI!!!!!! Dempsey was taken down by the sprawling keeper. This was our last chance to score, American fans were in disbelief. Another shot denied by Algeria. But wait…what was this??? M’Bolhi failed to hang on to the ball. He scrambled to get to his feet as he watched to ball roll away from him. Then out of the smoke from the flames of American despair came Landon Donovan. He never gave up on the play after passing ahead to Altidore. It’s as if time stopped. You could probably hear your own heartbeat. The ball hits the goalkeeper’s gloves (thump thump) he blocks it but it gets away from him (thump thump) he watches it roll right to Donovan (thump thump) he scrambles to his knees then dives to block the shot (silence)…………..GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In the 91^st minute Landon Donovan pushes the US ahead 1-0 on a miraculous goal!!!! The stadium erupts in a frenzy of emotion as the US wins the match, wins the group, and advances into the knockout round of the World Cup!!!!! The celebration is on in South Africa. Cue theme music….♫There goes my hero; watch him as he goes…….♫