As much as I am a baseball fan, I am also a diehard soccer fan. So it only seemed fitting to report on what is arguably the greatest victory in the history of the men’s national team. Playing against a heavily favored Spain squad that not only boasted the likes of Fernando Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, and Iker Casillas in goal, they were also unbeaten in 36 straight games, and 15 consecutive wins, the longest streak in FIFA history.
So, when team USA came onto the field in Blomfontein, South Africa this afternoon, no one, and I mean NO ONE with the exception of the team expected a W from this contest. But US fans would be elated at the end of 90 minutes.
To begin things, youngster Jozy Altidore showed his coaches at Villareal, that he should be playing in La Liga, when he outmuscled star teammate Joan Capdevila to get to a ball, and beat Casillas, putting the ball in the back of the net in the 27th minute. That goal gave the US a 1-0 lead, and would be the go-ahead goal.
It was not like the US dominated however. They were outshot by the Spanish attack by a margin of 29-9. But goalie Tim Howard put up one of the most sensational performances of his career, (of which there have been plenty at Man U. and Everton) stopping anything and everything that came his way.
Despite the ridiculous shot margin, the US was able to capitalize on another Spanish blunder late in the second half. US star Landon Donovan sent a beautiful cross into the box, that just got by defender Sergio Ramos, and Clint Dempsey, the pride of Nacogdoches, Texas, and former Revolution star was there to slot it home to give the underdogs a 2-0 lead.
The only blemish on the game for the US was holding midfielder Michael Bradley, who has been the most consistent player for the US, drew a red card in the 87th minute for a hard tackle.
Otherwise it was a great game for the National squad, and Tim Howard summed it up best saying, “I can’t explain it any more than you can. Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it.”
