The day dawned warm and sunny. There was the smell of hope in the air, mingling with the aroma of burnt toast that Mrs. Fanista was preparing in the kitchen. I would not be attending this match in person, so I sought to find a group of like-minded fans to enjoy the experience with me.

I don't need to tell you the stakes of this match... but I will anyway. All it takes is a win for the US to advance to the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup. No big deal, really-- just the BIGGEST SINGLE SPORTING COMPETITION IN THE WORLD!!!

The USA enters this match as the renegade. Even so, they are wearing white hats in a green hat world. They don't take guff from anyone. They are not entirely sure what the word 'guff' means, but they won't be having any of it. From anyone. Wearing a green hat, or otherwise.

The action started with the US in typical defensive disarray mode. After giving up a couple good chances to Algeria, they settled in and started creating chances of their own.

With the teams level at the halftime break, the United States made a tactical change. Herculez Gomez exited in favor of Benny Feilhaber. The change pushed Clint Dempsey up top and dropped Feilhaber into Dempsey's midfield role. While not paying off with an immediate goal, the US did continue the pressure in the second half.

News from the other Group C match was not good, given the situation in our current game. England had taken a one - nil lead and were now playing 10 - 11 men behind the ball. They were counting on the one goal sticking!

Bob Bradley's men were not concerned. They watched regulation end. They watched 4 minutes of stoppage time added to the board. And they waited. Poised. For attack.

Finally, they did attack.

A fierce drive by Dempsey in the 92nd minute was parried into the path of Landon Donovan who, cool as you like, deposited the ball low into the left side of the net. The United States are through. Did you catch that?

THE UNITED STATES ARE THROUGH!

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