Why Landon Donovan's Goal Will Forever Change Soccer in America

Throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the United States National Soccer team has been through a roller coaster of emotions that culminated in the Yanks advancing into the round of 16 to face against Ghana.

From Robert Green's error on Clint Dempsey's shot, to the terribly officiated match by Koman Coulibaly in the Americans' 2-2 draw with Slovenia, to the heart-wrenching match against Algeria, the USA have had three of the most entertaining matches in this World Cup.

The icing on the cake is now in place as star midfielder Landon Donovan was able to score the goal that gave the USA the title in their group (Group C), something that has not happened since 1930!

With this goal, the United States has advanced into the round of 16 for the first time since 2002. They play Ghana on Saturday, but Americans should realize that soccer's time in America has finally come.

Throughout the entire country, people of all races, genders, and ages have been able to unite due to this goal, and who would have ever thought that a soccer goal would do this?

Now, the entire nation will be watching ABC on Saturday afternoon (or morning if you are on the West Coast or in Alaska or Hawaii). In a country that cries "soccer's boring" or "it's pointless to see guys kicking a ball around" we will now see the beauty of the beautiful game.

Now, soccer is officially a mainstream sport and Landon Donovan has made himself into a household name.

Before the World Cup, Donovan went on tons of different television programs and ESPN really did a great job playing up this World Cup, and now look at some of the things that will happen:

No. 1 Soccer will now be played by even more people.

No. 2 American Soccer now has a defining World Cup moment for this generation.

No. 3 Kids will idolize the Landon Donovan goal and will try to become just like him, which will increase the talent that will be available for United States Soccer to choose from.

No. 4 More international stars will come to MLS and perform their craft here.

No. 5 More sponsors will join the US National Team.

No. 6 People will start to attend more soccer matches.

But now, more people will be watching this World Cup and rooting for the United States to make it past the round of 16.

More Americans will play in Europe, and MLS will become stronger, eventually luring some Europe's top stars.

All of these possibilities were just two minutes away from dying before a certain 28-year-old who is the greatest player in United States soccer history made the greatest play in American soccer history.