Everything seemed to be following the same script for the USA soccer squad as it began its Wednesday match against a very game Algerian side. The USA almost crawled into another early hole as Algeria’s Rafik Djebbour hit the post
Everything seemed to be following the same script for the USA soccer squad as it began its Wednesday match against a very game Algerian side. The USA almost crawled into another early hole as Algeria’s Rafik Djebbour hit the post with a solid strike in just the sixth minute.
Perhaps that near-score was the wake-up call that was needed as the proverbial “punch in the mouth” this time around, which would certainly be an improvement to last match’s 2-0 deficit and the quick 1-0 hole against England.
They really might need to have some sort of battle royal in the locker room before each contest in order to bring the whole “it’s time to fight back” feeling a bit closer to the surface.
As the American attacks became more steady, they seemed to discover a weakness in the back left of the Algerian defense. Landon Donovan and Steve Cherundolo continued to weave into the area and try to create opportunities.
The running story of the Cup wrote itself another chapter as Herculez Gomez slammed an open shot on net, which was deflected back to him by the keeper. He chipped the ball to the front of the goal, where Clint Dempsey spiked it home for the apparent go-ahead score.
The half-second of celebration was quickly extinguished by the linesman, who lifted his flag for the nullifying offsides call.
The brief euphoria was on the same level as Maurice Edu’s “score” against Slovenia that was inexplicably waved off for a phantom foul, an infraction still unexplained by the referee or FIFA.
Replays showed that Dempsey was level with the defender as the ball came off Gomez’s foot, stripping Team USA of another good goal.
Just as the disappointment was sinking in, England finished a beautiful attacking cross to take a 1-0 lead over Slovenia, applying far more pressure to the Americans and magnifying the impact of the incorrect call.
Dempsey later missed another chance in the box.
Donovan and Jozy Altidore each went to strike a loose ball less than 10 feet from the empty net, only to wind up blasting the shot well high of the goal.
Dempsey took a shot to the face inside the box that was not seen by the officials, likely granting Algeria a reprieve from a potentially fatal red-card booking.
Everything seemed to be going against the Americans, a feeling that was growing familiar in this World Cup, as well as conjuring emotions from the 2006 debacle.
A relentless offensive push began to recede in the 85th minute and Algeria controlled possession for the final minutes of regulation as it appeared the USA would be heading home after another three-match stint.
Then the faces of the organization all combined for what would prove to be the most dramatic sequence in American soccer history. Goalie Tim Howard released a long pass to Donovan down the right side.
The best player this country has ever produced attacked, then sent a through ball to Altidore, who controlled just long enough to feed a cross into the feet of Dempsey — typically the team’s surest finisher, but who had not delivered in the match.
The Algerian goalie came out to challenge, upending Dempsey in the process, but was unable to corral the ball.
It delicately found the foot of Donovan, who had little to do but nestle it into the open net and begin celebrating.
He did.
And they did.
Wherever they had gathered, FIFA officials were also surely letting loose a collective sigh of relief. After all that had been made of the poor decisions against them, the Americans had still won Group C and would be moving into the knockout round.
The ending seemed to have already been written and for just under 92 minutes, it seemed imminent. Then one counterattack turned this stage production into an improv piece and changed the finale on the spot.
The squad now hopes to take this production out on the road and re-write some more history.
