From Hopeless to Hopeful

After 45 minutes of watching United States soccer yesterday, I started to consider giving up on the team overall. Slovenia, ranked 24th on the Soccer Power Rankings, was crushing the Americans throughout the first half with a 2-0 lead at the intermission. While I was eating breakfast I had decided that the game was over, as was the team's chance to qualify for the next round. I watched the second half hoping a miracle would occur. After Landon Donovan's incredible 48' goal, I knew I was in for something special.

The American squad dominated throughout the second half. Donovan's goal sparked the comeback, and I give him all the credit in the world. He slowly dribbled the ball closer and closer to the goal. Finally, when the goalie made a sudden movement, the US midfielder launched the ball perfectly over his head into the net. After the goal, I knew they were going to tie the game eventually but it was just a matter of when. When Michael Bradley hustled up the field and tapped in a headed pass from Jozy Altidore, I had a huge smile on my face, as did the millions of Americans watching the game. That was when coach Bob Bradley relaxed: he now knew they were likely to walk out of there with at least a point. But after the 85th minute, the Americans may have been more disappointed than pleased about their incredible comeback.

A free kick from Donovan led to what seemed to be a goal by Maurice Edu. However, the shot was disallowed by referee Koman Coulibaly. No one understood why it was called off. The Americans thought they had just won the game, but they didn't. There is tons of controversy about that "goal", but whether it had counted or not, American fans should feel energetic about the team's second half. They may have been robbed, but a win against Algeria on Wednesday gives them a very good chance to advance to the next round. They need to make sure they play better in the first half because they aren't always going to have comebacks like that, but it was exciting to see what they were able to do in the final 45 minutes on Friday.