U.S.A. Advances on Late Goal by Landon Donovan; Up Next: Ghana

The United States came into Wednesday needing a win against Algeria, and they would advance to the round of sixteen. After draws against England and Slovenia, the United States came out playing with fire. They played with lots of spirit and energy. The last game of group C play was critical because all four teams had a chance to advance to the next round.

England scored an early goal in their game with Slovenia to hold a 1-0 lead for the remainder of the match. The United States had to be careful because they did not want to allow an early goal like the previous two games. Algeria played spectacular defense. Their defense had momentum after shutting out England in the game before. Through all three games, Algeria did not score a single goal.

This game was one of the greatest soccer matches in U.S. history. Algeria had a perfect chance to score in the first half, but the ball bounced off the crossbar. The United States had their scoring chances all game long. Clint Dempsey's goal was disallowed in the first half when the referee called him offsides. Looking back at the replay, it looked like the referee made an error in judgment. The goal should have counted. The referees of the United States' matches have been bigger headlines than the actual players have. The United States did not give up.

After a 0-0 first half, the United States put more pressure on Algeria's nearly flawless defense. Both teams stepped up the intensity in the second half. It looked like whoever was going to score first would win the game. The Yanks had the momentum on their side. Despite many missed golden opportunities, persistence payed off for the Americans.

The second half remained scoreless until the first minute of stoppage time when Landon Donovan grabbed the loose rebound and placed the ball in the back of the net. It was a crazy moment in U.S. soccer history. That goal was the 44Th of Donovan's international career. The Americans were on the brink of going home. With that lone goal of the game, U.S.A. won its group and knocked Slovenia out.

On Saturday, U.S.A. will play the runner-up of Group D, Ghana. England (the runner-up of Group C) will play the winner of Group D, Germany. Landon Donovan's late game heroics kept the hopes alive for the Dream Team. It was a Hollywood ending that America will never forget.

However, the games are not over. They are just getting started, and the matches from here on out get tougher because if the team loses one game, they are done. Being the underdog, Team U.S.A. has to dream big or risk going home to the states. U.S.A....U.S.A....U.S.A.....