24 June 2010
As the vital match was reaching its climax at 0-0, with the USA set to head home behind Slovenia and England, Landon Donavan summed up the spirit of the American never-say-die attitude by scoring goal deep into injury time to send them into the last 16 of the World Cup as Group 3 Champions.
So what is the key ingredient which marks teams such as the USA and Germany out as tournament greats who can seemingly produce the results when it really matters on the big stage?
It has been described as "Tournament Genetics" by some in the media who believe that certain nations have the ability to produce big performances and results when it really matters.
Can a national team be inspired to greater things by the achievements and reputations of those who have gone before?
In a soccer sense, the German national team typify this seemingly consistent aura of tournament invincibility. They looked to be on the way out last night in their match against Ghana before a wonderful strike from Mesut Ozil sent them on their way to the top of the group and a last 16 match against England. Who would bet against them winning this match before embarking upon an un-stoppable march to the final?
The USA team, while less experienced in the context of knowing how to win a soccer world cup, have the same national sporting identity which marks them out as major players on the world stage in almost every sport they compete in.
Perhaps a strong indication of the American winning mentality which exists everytime one of their sportsmen and women pull the Stars & Stripes onto their bodies is evident in the quote provided by Landon Donovan after the match with Algeria had ended.
"This team embodies what the American spirit is about," Donovan said. "We had a goal disallowed the other night. We had another good goal disallowed tonight (on an offsides call), but we just keep going, and I think that's what people admire so much about America."
Could the USA go on and win a World Cup? College Sport USA's Sporting Futures Manager, David Binnie offers his view:
"I would certainly never rule them out. They have a resillience and edge to their game which might just shock a few of the so-called big football nations. The USA's performance so far, coupled by the confidence the team would have taken from their successful path to the recent Confederations Cup in South Africa, might just have them believing that they can go that one step further and win this World Cup."
One thing is for sure. The team which can find some form and show the desire and belief to go all the way will be deserving champions in 2010.
USA Score last Gasp Winner to go to top of Group 3
The USA have achieved soccer immortality in their homeland after Landon Donovan's 91st minute strike earned them a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.As the vital match was reaching its climax at 0-0, with the USA set to head home behind Slovenia and England, Landon Donavan summed up the spirit of the American never-say-die attitude by scoring goal deep into injury time to send them into the last 16 of the World Cup as Group 3 Champions.
So what is the key ingredient which marks teams such as the USA and Germany out as tournament greats who can seemingly produce the results when it really matters on the big stage?
It has been described as "Tournament Genetics" by some in the media who believe that certain nations have the ability to produce big performances and results when it really matters.
Can a national team be inspired to greater things by the achievements and reputations of those who have gone before?
In a soccer sense, the German national team typify this seemingly consistent aura of tournament invincibility. They looked to be on the way out last night in their match against Ghana before a wonderful strike from Mesut Ozil sent them on their way to the top of the group and a last 16 match against England. Who would bet against them winning this match before embarking upon an un-stoppable march to the final?
The USA team, while less experienced in the context of knowing how to win a soccer world cup, have the same national sporting identity which marks them out as major players on the world stage in almost every sport they compete in.
Perhaps a strong indication of the American winning mentality which exists everytime one of their sportsmen and women pull the Stars & Stripes onto their bodies is evident in the quote provided by Landon Donovan after the match with Algeria had ended.
"This team embodies what the American spirit is about," Donovan said. "We had a goal disallowed the other night. We had another good goal disallowed tonight (on an offsides call), but we just keep going, and I think that's what people admire so much about America."
Could the USA go on and win a World Cup? College Sport USA's Sporting Futures Manager, David Binnie offers his view:
"I would certainly never rule them out. They have a resillience and edge to their game which might just shock a few of the so-called big football nations. The USA's performance so far, coupled by the confidence the team would have taken from their successful path to the recent Confederations Cup in South Africa, might just have them believing that they can go that one step further and win this World Cup."
One thing is for sure. The team which can find some form and show the desire and belief to go all the way will be deserving champions in 2010.
