The Cardiac Kids

Someone please get me a respirator! Its been hours since Landon Donovan rescued the United States world cup hopes and dreams in the most dramatic of fashions and I still can't calm down. Maybe its because of my previously mentioned soccer background or the amount of adversity that has been thrown at these young men who have overcome everything without missing a beat and handled it all with class and respect.

For a while there it just seemed like nothing could go right for the boys in South Africa and aside from a gift wrapped equalizer vs England, nothing was. A referee robbed them of a win vs Slovenia and then disallowed another goal today. They created endless opportunities to put the ball in the back of the old onion bank, only to seem them denied by goal posts and miscues. It just didn't seem like it was in the cards for the yanks who were a mere 3 1/2 minutes from reestablishing all the doubts surrounding American soccer. But then, in one of the most magnificently orchestrated counter attacks you will see, it all changed.

Landon Donovan provided a dramatic stoppage time winner that sent the United States into the knockout stages of the world cup and set off delirious celebrations at the end of a pulsating 1-0 win over Algeria. Donovan's reputation as the pin-up boy of US soccer was reinforced as he calmly slotted home the goal in the 91st minute after setting up the attacking movement that culminated in the winner. In one split second the Americans went from the brink of elimination to winning group C and a date with Ghana this Saturday, a very winnable match.

The ball fell perfectly to Donovan at the top of the 6 yard line, who said "the ball fell to me, time kind of stopped...You can't miss from there." I tell you what Landon, time kind of stopped for everyone watching as well. I kept thinking to myself as time was winding down, this is just so unfair after all the missed opportunities and goals taken from them, that they deserved better than this and the soccer gods delivered.

I don't know about you, but I couldn't help get a little emotional as I watched the young men celebrate in Jubilation, especially for Landon Donovan who was teary eyed after the game. Nobody has worked harder than Landon over the past 4 year since the pitiful showing in 2006 and nobody carries more pressure on his shoulders for US soccer than him. It was all too perfect that he was the one who got the equalizer and a storybook way to advance to the next round. Make no mistake, this team has heard all the critics doubt them, battled injuries to key role players (Davies and Onyewu) and wanted to advance BADLY. Unlike the Algeria team who seemed content with a draw, when a win might of got them through to the next round. The Americans got what they deserved and in a dramatic fashion, only fitting for this team. Now what lies ahead for them come Saturday I'm not too sure, but at this point I will take Landon's word for it, "we're not done yet, we believe, man. We're alive, baby." You sure are Landon and so is everyone else who is just along for the ride.