USA Beats Algeria 1-0 in the Stoppage Time 

Today USA had a match with Algeria that would determine whether they stayed in the FIFA World Cup or not. I’m not usually a big sports person, but I played soccer for a good part of my childhood and it’s probably my favorite team sport, shortly followed by curling (don’t judge… either know curling is awesome, or else you’ve never watched a full match). The reason I’m blogging about this match is that it was one of the most immensely frustrating yet ultimately rewarding matches I’ve seen in a long time. I’ll spare you the play by play, and cut to the meat of it.

Twenty minutes into the first half, USA player Clint Dempsey scored a goal that was nullified because the refs called him for being offside, however instant replay shows it was valid. Over the next 70 minutes, neither side scored a goal, although there were some close calls and the tension was incredible. After the 90 minutes of the match were up, play was extended for stoppage time (time lost during substitutions, injuries, etc). One minute into stoppage time, Landon Donovan took a shot, was blocked, and on the rebound slammed it into the net. The stadium went apeshit, and the game was over. After being robbed a goal, and for the rest of the match feeling like all hope was lost, that one point felt like breathing for the first time.

Go Team USA.