2010 FIFA World Cup: Ladies and Gentlemen, Team USA Is Back

Landon Donovan, three simple words: I Love You.

Actually, it can be said for the rest of the USA Men's National Team, who defeated Algeria 1-0 to finish on top of Group C in the 2010 FIFA World Cup by way of more goals scored.

It's not very often that the USA finishes on top of England in FIFA World Cup group play. I think my confidence in Bob Bradley got restored today.

But what about that Donovan, huh?

He is quite the savior for the Yanks, isn't he? Ladies and gentlemen, this veteran with ice water in his veins and uncanny composure is the real deal.

In the 91st minute, Jozy Altidore squares the ball inside their attacking third. Algerian goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi parries it away initially but it goes right to the feet of Landon Donovan, whose shot heard round the world culminated in a swarm of white shirts around their No. 10.

In my lifetime, I have never seen the USA—the USA, of all countries—top England in a FIFA World Cup group. It has never happened. But to finish better than the mother country of soccer has to be a feel-good story worth praising Bob Bradley and his ilk about.

Credit must, however, go to Algeria, whose tenacious fighting spirit and resilience almost caused the States to go home early like they did last year. But tonight in Pretoria, they would not be denied their chance to progress.

No sir. Not this time. Not at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Tonight belonged to the USA and Landon Donovan, who shot heard around the world confirmed the refreshing reality: the USA are back.