|
|
The 11 Most Memorable Moments For The U.S. Team
Do you remember Landon Donovan’s first goal? Where were you when Jozy Altidore scored against Spain? As the decade ends, the memories begin to take on significance.
Dec 28, 2009 2:43:46 PM
Now, at the end of one of the United States national team's most tumultuous and successful decades, the moments we remember run the gamut of emotions. From a brilliant debut by an 18-year-old prodigy to an early-morning car accident near Washington, DC, the 2000s included the good, the bad, and the sad.
1. He debuts... and scores! (Oct 2000)
It was only a friendly, but the Yanks' 2-0 win over Mexico in front of an unfriendly crowd at the Los Angeles Coliseum set the tone for a decade of American dominance over their bitter rivals. The most notable moment came in the first half when debutant Landon Donovan notched the first of his 42 international goals.
2. No Ifs, Ands, or Headbutts (Jun 2002)
In the 88th minute, with Mexico losing 2-0 to the United States in the World Cup round of 16, Rafael Marquez viciously headbutted Cobi Jones. His dismissal was "the rage of defeat in action," according to Goal.com's Luis Bueno, and showed the frustration felt by the Mexican players (and fans and media) about the U.S.’s surpassing them on the field.
3. Look, No Hands (Jun 2002)
Make no mistake about it: It was a handball. German midfielder Torsten Frings pushed the ball off the line with his arm, effectively stealing a World Cup semifinal spot from the U.S.A. and leaving Americans around the world wondering, "What if?"
4. Olympic Failure (Feb 2004)
Boasting a roster that included Landon Donovan, Bobby Convey, and Damarcus Beasley, the U.S. expected to cruise to the finals of the CONCACAF 2004 Olympic qualifying tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, thereby booking their ticket for Athens. Instead, some poor planning in the group stage saw Glenn Myernick's boys face Mexico in the semifinals, where they crashed out, 4-0.
5. What about Bob? (Dec 2006)
The U.S. failure at the 2006 World Cup and subsequent dismissal of coach Bruce Arena seemed a prelude to the hiring Jurgen Klinsmann. Instead, negotiations with the German collapsed and the U.S. federation inked Chivas USA manager Bob Bradley on an interim basis. Six months and several good wins later, the the "interim" tag disappeared, and Bradley was charged with taking the Red, White, and Blue to the next level. Since Bradley's arrival, the U.S. has won the 2007 Gold Cup, reached the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup, and qualified relatively easily for the 2010 World Cup.
6. Ready Freddy (Jun 2007)
It may go down as the highpoint of U.S. soccer's biggest bust (at least so far in his career). Freddy Adu's silky performance against Brazil in the U-20 World Cup led the way to an unlikely 2-1 win. The balletic move he pulled to set up Jozy Altidore's first goal had many observers hyping him above the likes of Brazilian stars Alexandre Pato and Jo.
7. Mexican Madness (Feb 2007)
Entering a friendly against Mexico at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, the U.S. had won seven of ten matches against el Tri in the 2000s. Landon Donovan's late goal, icing the 2-0 win, sealed yet another American win, provoking Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez into a sour-grapes tackle on Eddie Johnson while the American celebrated the goal.
8. Benny hits a jet (Jun 2007)
Soldier Field was jam-packed with green-clad Mexico fans for the 2007 Gold Cup final. They were treated to a strong performance from their beloved el Tri, who took a 1-0 lead through Andres Guardado. Finally, the Mexicans would reassert themselves as masters of CONCACAF, those in the stadium thought. But the second half belonged to the "gringos," who pulled even through a Landon Donovan penalty then took the lead when Benny Feilhaber slammed a tremendous full-volley in the 73rd minute, breaking the Mexico players' will and the Mexican fans' hearts.
9. Song of Themselves (Jun 2008)
Neither rain nor the intimidating presence of Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero could dampen the joyous spirits of American fans at a sold out Giants Stadium for a friendly between the U.S. and Argentina. The match ended 0-0, much to the Argentines' chagrin, while the Yanks sang loud and proud. "It seemed a corner had turned, somehow," recalls Goal.com’s Noah Davis, who was at the stadium on the day.
10. Turning a New Leaf (Jun 2009)
Jozy Altidore was still a teenager when he and the U.S. took the field against Spain in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. Twenty-seven minutes in, he was a man, spinning the Spanish defenders and firing a 20-yard rocket past Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas to spark a 2-0 win over the top team in the world.
11. By Accident (Oct 2009)
He hadn't been in the U.S. fold long, a couple months at most, good for a handful of first-team starts, but Charlie Davies's combination of pace, fearless play, and gritty desire made him nearly indispensable. When the 23-year-old Sochaux striker emerged badly broken from a single-car accident, in which Davies's fellow passenger was killed, American fans saw the team's World Cup chances as twisted as the wreckage.
Goal.com
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com!
1. He debuts... and scores! (Oct 2000)
It was only a friendly, but the Yanks' 2-0 win over Mexico in front of an unfriendly crowd at the Los Angeles Coliseum set the tone for a decade of American dominance over their bitter rivals. The most notable moment came in the first half when debutant Landon Donovan notched the first of his 42 international goals.
 |
In the 88th minute, with Mexico losing 2-0 to the United States in the World Cup round of 16, Rafael Marquez viciously headbutted Cobi Jones. His dismissal was "the rage of defeat in action," according to Goal.com's Luis Bueno, and showed the frustration felt by the Mexican players (and fans and media) about the U.S.’s surpassing them on the field.
3. Look, No Hands (Jun 2002)
Make no mistake about it: It was a handball. German midfielder Torsten Frings pushed the ball off the line with his arm, effectively stealing a World Cup semifinal spot from the U.S.A. and leaving Americans around the world wondering, "What if?"
4. Olympic Failure (Feb 2004)
Boasting a roster that included Landon Donovan, Bobby Convey, and Damarcus Beasley, the U.S. expected to cruise to the finals of the CONCACAF 2004 Olympic qualifying tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, thereby booking their ticket for Athens. Instead, some poor planning in the group stage saw Glenn Myernick's boys face Mexico in the semifinals, where they crashed out, 4-0.
5. What about Bob? (Dec 2006)
 |
6. Ready Freddy (Jun 2007)
It may go down as the highpoint of U.S. soccer's biggest bust (at least so far in his career). Freddy Adu's silky performance against Brazil in the U-20 World Cup led the way to an unlikely 2-1 win. The balletic move he pulled to set up Jozy Altidore's first goal had many observers hyping him above the likes of Brazilian stars Alexandre Pato and Jo.
7. Mexican Madness (Feb 2007)
Entering a friendly against Mexico at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, the U.S. had won seven of ten matches against el Tri in the 2000s. Landon Donovan's late goal, icing the 2-0 win, sealed yet another American win, provoking Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez into a sour-grapes tackle on Eddie Johnson while the American celebrated the goal.
8. Benny hits a jet (Jun 2007)
Soldier Field was jam-packed with green-clad Mexico fans for the 2007 Gold Cup final. They were treated to a strong performance from their beloved el Tri, who took a 1-0 lead through Andres Guardado. Finally, the Mexicans would reassert themselves as masters of CONCACAF, those in the stadium thought. But the second half belonged to the "gringos," who pulled even through a Landon Donovan penalty then took the lead when Benny Feilhaber slammed a tremendous full-volley in the 73rd minute, breaking the Mexico players' will and the Mexican fans' hearts.
9. Song of Themselves (Jun 2008)
Neither rain nor the intimidating presence of Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero could dampen the joyous spirits of American fans at a sold out Giants Stadium for a friendly between the U.S. and Argentina. The match ended 0-0, much to the Argentines' chagrin, while the Yanks sang loud and proud. "It seemed a corner had turned, somehow," recalls Goal.com’s Noah Davis, who was at the stadium on the day.
 |
Jozy Altidore was still a teenager when he and the U.S. took the field against Spain in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. Twenty-seven minutes in, he was a man, spinning the Spanish defenders and firing a 20-yard rocket past Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas to spark a 2-0 win over the top team in the world.
11. By Accident (Oct 2009)
He hadn't been in the U.S. fold long, a couple months at most, good for a handful of first-team starts, but Charlie Davies's combination of pace, fearless play, and gritty desire made him nearly indispensable. When the 23-year-old Sochaux striker emerged badly broken from a single-car accident, in which Davies's fellow passenger was killed, American fans saw the team's World Cup chances as twisted as the wreckage.
Goal.com
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com!
Make Your Prediction
USA - Antigua and Barbuda
USA
Antigua and Barbuda
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
USA 8-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 13.89 %
-
USA 5-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.5 %
-
USA 4-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.5 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.