Landon Donovan, the New Orleans Saints, and the 10 Best Sports Moments of 2010

2010 was a great year in sports.

From Landon Donovan's miraculous penalty time goal against Algeria in the World Cup this summer to the redemption of Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers this fall, this year has left us with many awe-inspiring, goosebump-giving moments.

There were moments that took forever, like the Isner-Mahut tennis match, and moments that were over almost before they began, like Armando Galarraga's should-have-been perfect game.

2011 has its work cut out for it if it is even going to come close to matching the top 10 moments from 2010.

Here are 2010's top 10 sports moments.

10. Vindication

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after their 56-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox

2010 was a year of vindication for Cam Newton, Gene Chizik, and the Auburn Tigers.

Nearly everyone called the Chizik hiring in 2009 a stupid decision, as he didn't have a great record as the Iowa State head coach.

But apparently Auburn saw something in Chizik that we didn't.

Then there's Cam Newton. He was kicked off of the Florida Gators in a cheating scandal, but found his way back to Division I football with Auburn—though not without even more controversy.

But, he's been cleared to play, so it's our job as Americans to trust that he's innocent.

Now, the Tigers will try to put the perfect ending on the tumultuous year by beating the Oregon Ducks in the BCS Championship Game.

9. March Madness

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: Matt Howard #54 and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Butler Bulldogs remain on the court dejected after they lost 61-59 against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oi

David beat Goliath when Northern Iowa took down the mighty Kansas Jayhawks.

But Goliath would have the last laugh, as Butler fell just short of pulling off a miraculous victory against the powerhouse Duke Blue Devils.

Memories were made, hearts were broken, and fans and players alike were taken for a month-long roller coaster ride.

I can't wait 'til next March.

8. 11 Hours and Five Minutes

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: The scoreboard at match point during the 3 day long John Isner of USA v Nicolas Mahut of France first round match on Day Four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 24

How could we possibly forget a tennis match that lasted longer than any tennis match in history?

John Isner eventually bested Nicolas Mahut in five sets.

The match took place over the course of three days, suspended for darkness twice.

It was the most exciting moment in tennis in 2010.

7. Phil Mickelson Wins the Masters

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Phil Mickelson during the final round of the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for Golf Week)

Mickelson won his third Masters in 2010, but this one was different.

This time, it was the first time his wife Amy had seen him play since she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

It was the most touching moment in golf in 2010.

Oh, and it also marked the return of Tiger Woods to the PGA after his sex scandal.

6. San Francisco Giants Win World Series

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 03: (L-R) San Francisco Giants pitchers Brian Wilson, Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain speak to fans outside San Francisco city hall during the Giants' victory parade and celebration on November 3, 2010 in San Francisco, California. Th

The Giants rode Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain to their first World Series victory since the franchise moved to San Francisco in 1958.

Edgar Renteria once again had the winning hit in the World Series, recapturing the role he had in Florida in 1997.

The Giants' win has thus far helped ease the pain of the 49ers' struggles this season, as good feelings still run rampant in San Francisco.

5. Imperfect Perfect Game

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: MLB umpire Jim Joyce and pitcher Armando Gallaraga shake hands backstage during the 2010 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Jim Joyce blew a call and cost Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.

But instead of being bitter about it, Galarraga and Joyce turned the fiasco into the greatest moment of sportsmanship and forgiveness we saw in 2010.

Rather than being angry, Galarraga accepted an apology from Joyce and turned in the Tigers' lineup card to Joyce the next day.

Though he may never throw a perfect game, Galarraga will be more famous for his actions than he ever would have been for the perfect game.

4. Overtime

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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: (L-R) Captain Scott Niedermayer #27,third back-up goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, goaltender Martin Brodeur #30, Patrice Bergeron #37, Ryan Getzlaf #51, Rick Nash #60 and Sidney Crosby #87 of Canada line up together prior to th

Even though it was devastating for fans in the United States, the Olympic Gold Medal Match between the U.S. and Canada turned into an instant classic.

Sidney Crosby, the best player in the world, scored a goal eight minutes into the overtime period to give Canada gold and end an improbable U.S. championship run.

3. 89 Straight Victories

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HARTFORD, CT - DECEMBER 21: Maya Moore #23 and Michala Johnson #25 of the Connecticut celebrate after a win over Florida State on December 21, 2010 in Hartford, Connecticut. Connecticut set a record with 89 straight wins without a defeat. (Photo by Jim

The UConn women's basketball team won 89 straight games, breaking a record set by UCLA's men's basketball team during the John Wooden era.

Their streak would eventually end at 90 straight wins, as they lost to Stanford on December 30.

We may never see a winning streak that tops 90.

That is, until the UConn women break it again.

2. the Saints Go Marching In

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates with his son Baylen Brees after defeating the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rona

The Saints won their first ever Super Bowl in 2010 behind the leadership of Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and Reggie Bush.

Then, the biggest party of 2010 took place in New Orleans.

Don't give up on the Saints this season either. New Orleans is looking better and better each week and have an outside shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

1. Goooooooooooooooooal!!!!

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 23: Landon Donovan and Benny Feilhaber of USA celebrate Donovan's winning goal against Algeria, 1-0, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group C match between USA and Algeria at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on June 23

Who thought America could care so much about soccer?

I admit, I only watch games when they are on the big stage of the World Cup, but this moment brought together an entire nation.

You'd be hard-pressed to find an American sports fan who didn't feel a sense of national pride as Landon Donovan's miracle goal in the final minutes of a game against Algeria sent the U.S. to the knockout round of the World Cup.

I still get goosebumps when I think about that goal. It makes me wish 2014 would get here faster so we can see more U.S. soccer.