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Greatest games in U.S. World Cup history, part two
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Landon Donovan's famous goal against Mexico
USA 2 Mexico 0, 2002 World Cup Second Round
The U.S. and Mexico would meet in a World Cup for the first time ever with a berth in the quarterfinals on the line. There would be no excuses for either team; neutral site, world’s biggest stage, win or go home. What followed was the most intense, emotional, and passionate soccer game in U.S. soccer history. But before victory came, the match would produce moments that infuriated every American fan watching. The rivalry was about to become ten times what it already was.
There was Luis Hernandez’s embarrassing and pathetic dive. To this day, I have not seen a soccer player dive in such a fashion without ever being touched. There was the image of Cuahtemoc Blanco knocking down Pablo Mastroeni, and standing over him seemingly ready to deliver a knock-out punch.
And finally there was Cobi Jones. He entered the game with ten minutes remaining, and proceeded to incur the wrath of the whole Mexican nation. Mexicans have had a problem with Cobi Jones for his entire career, for reasons not know to me. And as soon as Cobi Jones stepped on to that field, a reign of elbows, head butts, and kicks to the back of the leg greeted him. Every time he touched the ball, there was a Mexican tackling him with his studs up. The Mexicans were losing their cool. Cobi Jones’ day was capped off with a flying karate kick to the side of the head by Rafael Marquez. It was the most courageous ten minutes of soccer ever played. As U.S soccer fans were beginning to lose their patience with the Mexican team, the thought of victory seemed that much sweeter.
Hidden in the outrage towards Mexico, was the fact that the U.S had gotten off to a fantastic start. In the 8th minute, Claudio Reyna made a stunning run down the right wing all the way to end-line. He crossed it to Josh Wolff at the near post, who flicked the ball back to Brian Mcbride. The American target man was wide open, and slotted it past the Mexican keeper for a 1-0 lead. It was a dream start.
As the second half began, Mexico began to pressure the Americans. Brad Friedel was coming up with save after save, and everybody watching felt that a 1-0 lead would not be enough. The 65th minute produced one of the biggest goals in U.S soccer history. John O’brien found Eddie Lewis open on the left wing with a beautiful through ball. Lewis tracked the ball down in the attacking third, and sent a perfect cross into the middle. The swirling ball found the head of 20-year old Landon Donovan, as he sped into the box and delicately placed the ball into the empty net.
Insanity followed. Jack Edwards, ESPN play-by-play announcer, could barely contain himself. “Score!….2-0.…United States!”, he yelled. It was a glorious moment for U.S soccer. Mexico threatened to score a few times after that, but it was to no avail. The U.S had defeated Mexico in a World Cup. It was seven years ago now, but those words still bring a smile to the face of every American soccer fan.
USA 0 Germany 1, 2002 World Cup Quarterfinals
Yes, it was a loss. But this game stands out for a number of reasons. It would go down as the most heart-breaking, yet memorable, game in the country’s history. The U.S had never reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup, and came into the match-up as huge underdogs. For those that didn’t see the game, you would probably assume that the U.S just barely held on, as a dominant German team moved on to the semi-finals. That was not the case. In fact, the exact opposite happened.
After a first half goal from Michael Ballack, the U.S responded well and began to attack. Landon Donovan, in a moment that I will never forget, took a pass at midfield and never looked back. He sped past the entire German defense on 50-yard run, cut into the middle just outside the 18 yard box, and let a left footed shot go. The ball was going into the net, until German keeper Oliver Kahn got his fingertips on it to miraculously push the ball out for a corner.
Then there was the infamous hand-ball. Claudio Reyna swung a corner kick into the box. Eddie Pope deflected the ball to Greg Berhalter, who sent another deflection off his foot soaring into the German net. Just as the ball was about to cross the line, a German defender stuck his hand out and prevented the ball from going in. No red card, no penalty shot, no goal. The ref had somehow not seen what had clearly happened.
The Americans continued to attack and pressure the Germans for the entire second half, but in the end, came up short. I remember feeling extremely proud of that particular U.S team after the loss; the Americans outplayed the Germans that day. We deserved to win. The most telling quote came from German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer when he stated, "America were clearly the better team for 90 minutes". It was an incredible feeling for U.S fans to know that we should have been in the semi-finals of the World Cup. It was a feeling that we haven’t felt before or since.
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