US Perseverance Pays Off, Late Goal Sends them Past Algeria to the Next Round

USA had chance after chance to put in that one goal they needed, but for 91 minutes it looked as if it was not meant to be. Then, one minute into injury time, Landon Donovan tapped in the game winning goal to win the group and send USA into the next round. It really looked like it was not to be. The US had its normal poor start, allowing a shot from Algeria that beat goalie Tim Howard, but actually hit off the post. Still early in the first, Clint Dempsey tapped in an easy goal off of a pass from Herculez Gomez, but it was disallowed because he was called offsides. Replay showed Dempsey was not offsides at all, and the call left Americans everywhere muttering "not again."

Still, the team never gave up and really began to take control. Jozy Altidore missed an empty net shot, Clint Dempsey beat the keeper but hit the post and then deposited the rebound into the cheap seats, Edson Buddle headed a point blank shot right into goalie Rais M'Bolhi, chance after chance was turned away. With each one the tension grew, as word came that England was up 1-0 over Slovenia. A tie would send USA home. As the linesman raised the sign, the USA knew that without some kind of miracle, their World Cup would last only another 4 minutes. Then, after a nice save, Howard heaved the ball down the field. Algeria had begun to feel the pressure as they too needed a win to advance, and moved a lot of players forward leaving room for Donovan to move. Donovan took the pass and sprinted down the field. He passed it off to Altidore and he chipped it to Dempsey in the box. M'Bolhi came out to challenge and Dempsey could not get the shot off, but he did hit it hard enough that M'Bolhi was not able to control it and it bounced right to Donovan who netted the rebound. And just like that, the US went from an early trip home to group winners.

The reward for moving on? Ghana. With their 1-0 loss yesterday to Germany, Ghana fell to second in the group. Ghana actually sent USA home in the last World Cup. Heading into the final group game, the USA needed a win over Ghana, but Ghana had its own ideas and won 2-1 to seal their place in the next round. Ghana has reached this stage by beating Serbia 1-0, tying Australia 1-1, and falling to Germany 1-0. Ghana is very good at moving the ball and creating chances, but they cannot finish. Their two goals both came off of penalty kicks. When they get close to the goal they either send the ball a mile over it or a mile wide, but rarely do they force a save from the keeper. Ghana was heavily criticized for its game against Australia as a first half red card left Australia a man short for about a full 60 minutes, yet Ghana did not seem to push the tempo at all and settled for the tie. The game against Germany really opened up as Germany needed the win and Ghana looked very impressive until they got close to the box and then fell apart. Ghana will be able to create chances against the US, but the question is whether or not they can finish them. If they play timid like against Australia, the USA will walk away with this one. If they play they way they showed they are capable against Germany, then this could be a tough matchup.

One thing's for sure, the US will be walking away with their heads held high regardless of the outcome because it took a lot of guts to get here in the first place. USA has earned their spot in the final 16 and can be proud of what they have accomplished.