Pretoria, South Africa- Landon Donovan's spectacular, game-winning strike in stoppage time to power the United States through to the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup will surely be remembered by football fans around the globe for years to come. In the homeland, however, fans and players alike believe that the goal stands for so much more. It represents America and her people.
When asked what his miraculous strike meant to him, Donovan replied "I think this goal is what America is all about. When the world thinks about Americans, they think about people that are hard working, have pet bald eagles, and shoot lasers out of their faces. This goal and this victory just go to prove that those things are true."
US coach Bob Bradley shared similar sentiments: "We had a good goal taken away last week and again today. We showed what Americans are about by picking ourselves up and not letting those hardships hold us back. I mean, think about America. There's not a single racial, political, ethnic, sexual, or gender group who can't unconditionally succeed. America is a place where success is based on hard work and character alone and absolutely nothing else whatsoever."
Indeed, hard work and perseverance have characterized the US team's stunning run to the top of Group C and into the elimination rounds. They'll need more of the same knock off a dangerous Ghana team and continue their march toward the ultimate prize in international football.
"Dude! Did you see that?!" added midfielder Clint Dempsey "When that Algerian dude elbowed me in the face, I bled RED. Red, man! That's no coincidence. If he would have taken two more shots at me I would've been bleeding white and blue. Guaranteed." Dempsey then proceeded to rip off his jersey to expose a full-back tattoo of Uncle Sam painting the Mona Lisa with his toes.
The US plays their round of 16 game against Ghana this Saturday.
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