Andres Cantor's Call of Landon Donovan's goal

Just had to share: This is a link to Andres Cantor's call of Landon Donovan's goal.

Enjoy.

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U.S. World Cup Team Can't Rest on Algeria Win

The United States has been pining to be a world soccer power and they're so close, especially after the first round of the World Cup. But let's stop calling yesterday's 1-0 win over Algeria that enabled the U.S. to win its group and advance to the knockout stage of the tournament the biggest win in U.S. soccer history. This isn't the game that's going to make soccer the new football in the U.S.

It's the next game that will do that.

And then the one after that.

And hopefully one or two after that.

Enjoy this one now, because come Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET, the win over Algeria and Landon Donovan's wonder goal will be long forgotten; especially if by 4:30, we're with our hands in our heads and tears of sorrow staining our faces. The U.S. has to take the next step, now. Their time has arrived because they won't get a more favorable road to World Cup glory. Ghana, and their either Uruguay or South Korea stand between the U.S. and the World Cup semifinals.

The U.S. made the semifinals in 1930, ironically played in Uruguay. The U.S. were hammered by Argentina 6-1, whom they could theoretically meet in this year's final.

Yes, I'm way ahead of myself and I wouldn't bet my chocolate lab on that happening, but they certainly could end up in the final four against Brazil, Holland, maybe even Portugal.

That's what yesterday's victory did. It wasn't the end game. It wasn't the end-all, be-all. No Bianca, it wasn't the greatest day in U.S. soccer history. That will be Saturday. And then July 2, July 6 and maybe July 11.

Until then, savor it, but don't be satisfied. That's how world soccer powers behave.

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Landon Donovan's Goal puts U.S. into Second Round

I'm sorry Landon.

I'm sorry for crapping all over you not so long ago. I doubted you. I doubted your ability to lead the United States men's national team. I doubted your ability as a finisher on the field. I doubted your ability as a playmaker. I doubted your heart. I doubted you'd get it done.

What do I know?

Not much apparently. So I'm manning up and apologizing.

I'm sorry.

You are a soccer stud, the leader of this team and the rightful face of American soccer. You should be SI's Sportsman of the Year. You should be captain for life.

You've grown so much since the 2006 World Cup. You started to win me over before the Confederations Cup, you put David Beckham in his place, you made a huge impact at Everton and now this. Today's goal. 92nd minute. USA in the second round of the World Cup; not just in the second round of the World Cup, but for the first time, group winners. Hopefully we've avoided Spain by doing so and maybe, just maybe, opened up a clear lane to the semifinals.

I sure didn't expect this two weeks ago. I expected the US to get out of the group, but not like this. Not after being screwed by an incompetent ref. Not after playing so-so against England and needing an all-time gaffe to earn a tie there. Not after going toe-to-toe with a hungry Algeria team for 90-plus minutes.

You were at the center of all that was great today about the United States and it's so fitting you scored the game-winner. Cry those tears of joy son, because we know you can refocus. We know you can lead us to victory against Serbia--maybe even Spain if need be.

I apologize for all the crap I personally heaved upon you. I'm sorry; it won't happen again. I won't ever have to say I'm sorry to Landon Donovan.

Just "thank you."

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Is Toffee on Landon Donovan's Menu as He May Be Headed to Everton

Landon Donovan could be suited up for Everton on Jan. 9 against Arsenal if goes according to various reports today. America's best player landing in the Premier League, granted it will be on team perilously close to relegation.

If this were last December, I'd say awesome.

This December, eh, not so much.

Hey, I'm not the biggest Donovan fan, but he's turned me around this year. His performance with the U.S. men's national team at the Confederations Cup and during World Cup qualifying has been leaps and bounds ahead of past performances. He's led by example. He stood up to David Beckham, split with his wife, reclaimed the Galaxy as his own and was within a poorly taken pair of PKs from winning another MLS championship.

The guy is for real--right now. And that's why I don't want him in the Premier League. I don't want him tired for South Africa. I don't want him injured for South Africa. I don't want him to go. There, I said it.

Say what you will about Donovan, but this will be his third World Cup. He's been there for the lows of 2006, the almost-made-the-World Cup-semifinals of 2002, the emotional breakthrough of last summer's Confederations Cup. He's not going to be flustered by the obnoxious horns of South Africa's football stadia. The USMNT is going to need him, especially if there's no Charlie Davies or Oguchi Onyewu.

These are selfish rants because the U.S. finally has a favorable draw in the World Cup. England is no pushover and neither is Slovenia. But I still say there's not excuse for them not to get out of the group stage with 6 points. It's supposed to be difficult. It's supposed to be tense. And you're supposed to be there with your best players.

And that's where I want Donovan, not in Liverpool with Everton.

From Donovan's point of view, he's 27 and after two go-rounds in Germany that failed, this has to be a welcome shot at another gig on football's biggest stage. Everton manager David Moyes reportedly likes Donovan and is pushing the club to finalize the deal.

Everton is 15th in the Premiership and miserably out of the title chase. It's racked with injuries and some pundits are calling the Donovan signing a desperate act. It is moving on to the knockout stages of the Europa League, finishing second to Benfica in its group. Everton has two fights on its hands--avoid relegation, and keep going in Europe. It's likely Everton will eventually be drawn against one of the eight outcasts from the Champions League (Juventus? Liverpool?) and the glare on Donovan will be greater.

Donovan's MLS season ended a few weeks ago with the loss to Real Salt Lake. It's been a grind with World Cup qualifying and every player needs a proper offseason to rest. It doesn't look like Donovan will get that if he goes to Everton.

Everything in life is about timing, and from a selfish point of view, the timing of this one sucks.

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Donovan and Beckham Turf War Sets Up Great Galaxy Feud

Something is amiss. I mean, I'm turning into a Landon Donovan fan (there, I said it).

Not only has be been stellar in recent World Cup qualifying. Not only was he one of, if not the best, players at the Confederations Cup. But he recently bitch-slapped David Beckham for being selfish, opportunistic creep that he is. Awesome.

Granted, there's a bit of self-interest at stake for Donovan, whose comments about Becks are set to appear in a book written by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl. But there's no gray area as to where Donovan stands regarding Beckham, who is due back with the L.A. Galaxy this month (who woulda thunk it?).

Donovan, the de-facto captain of the Galaxy (never mind Beckham wears the armband), says Beckham is a lousy teammate. He asserts that Beckham didn't want to play for L.A., especially after coach Ruud Gullit was let go. Beckham proved as much by bolting to Milan and A.C. Milan last January under the guise of maintaining his spot on the England lineup in hopes of playing in next summer's World Cup in South Africa. Now that he's coming back soon, he's gotta deal with Donovan's criticisms. Donovan is quoted in excerpts from Wahl's book:

“When David first came, I believed he was committed to what he was doing. He cared. He wanted to do well. He wanted the team and the league to do well. [Once Gullit was fired] he just flipped a switch and said, ‘Uh-huh, I’m not doing it anymore’. I can’t think of another guy where I’d say he wasn’t a good teammate, he didn’t give everything through all this, he didn’t still care. But with (Beckham), I’d say no, he wasn’t committed.”

The Galaxy were whores to Team Beckham. Spineless Alexi Lalas talked Donovan into giving up the armband to Beckham; nice treatment of a guy who is recognized as the face of American soccer. They shoved Beckham out as the public face of MLS, and what did they get in return? A half-assed performance that couldn't get L.A. into the playoffs (don't eight of MLS' 15 teams get in?). Hell, the Galaxy players couldn't even get Becks to buy a team meal.

Either way, Donovan doesn't want to see Beckham in the Starting Eleven when he comes back this month. Not at least until he proves his commitment to the team and to furthering the Galaxy. He's a teammate, not a commodity or marketing vehicle. Oh wait, he is a commodity and a marketing vehicle.

As for Donovan, he's giving notice that the Galaxy are his team, but if Beckham is going to be out front again, he's not going to be there for long.

"Let's say he does stay here three more years. I'm not going to spend the next three years of my life doing it this way ... I don't want to have soccer be this way. I've got to confront it somehow. If that's the way he's going to be, fine, then hold him accountable. Bench him. Just say, 'We're not going to play you, we don't think you're committed'."

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Live Blogging: Triple-F

Max Bretos joins Stephen Cohen. He's shaky and nervous, kinda awkward to watch.

Tonight's poll: Should McClaren go win or lose tomorrow? I think the majority will rule McClaren loses his spot as England manager.

Stephen is pushing for Jose Mourinho to do spot duty for England should they get in. Having Mourinho sit in for a six-month gig is unlikely. Mourinho's been pretty adamant he doesn't want the England job now (or any international job for the time being), and there's no reason to think otherwise. Mourinho's destined for Inter Milan, and he could be joined there by Riquelme, who should be liberated from Spain during the January transfer window.
If England gets in, it's too difficult to let McClaren go at this point. Why would the FA open itself to second guessing at that point?

Chris Sullivan, Fox Soccer analyst joins the show for some commentary on US-South Africa friendly.

• He says the altitude took its toll on the U.S. in the second half against RSA. Should be a hot topic for the World Cup 2010. Last altitude World Cup, '86 in Mexico.
• Praises Bob Bradley for his reliance on youth; ie Altidore, Adu, et. al. getting used to putting on the jersey and traveling abroad to represent the U.S., a good dry run.
• U.S. won 12, lost 5 and tied 1 match in 2007
• Benny Failhaber is out of position with the US men's team and can't get on the field for Derby County, neither of which is helping his current form.
• Gives the U.S. a grade of B for 2007
• Says Bradley wasn't allowed to take his best team to Copa America.
• Failhaber needs to be in Spain, France, Holland, a lesser profile league than England where skill and technique is taught and stressed.
• All three give high marks to Bob Bradley who has apparently won them all over after some skepticism early on. "He's absolutely the right guy," Cohen says.
• Sullivan: Landon Donovan still has and deserves a starting spot with the U.S. men's national team. "He can run with Kaka."
  

Live Blogging: Fox Football Fone-In, part II

• They've got a poll going tonight on whether Italy should shut down Serie A this weekend in light of last weekend's tragic shooting at the Lazio-Juventus game. More analysis in the morning on the shattered state of Italian soccer, but right now, those polled don't want to shut it down. It's 7-3 now; and most are saying there would be mayhem in the streets if the games were off. Poll ended up 8-7 in favor of no.
  
• Here we go again, trying to drag MLS and American football into a conversation about creating a global brand around soccer here. Why would any club in Europe be interested in a North America-Europe version of the Champions League? Bulletin: Europe doesn't need North America to sell is football; doing just fine boys. Is anyone in Europe wondering about the L.A. Galaxy and David Beckham's injuries? MLS is fun, but as Stephen just said, it's a third-tier league. Kudos to American fans to want to equate their league and clubs with the best Europe has, but they're not there yet.
• Mr. Gullitt: Welcome to the MLS SuperDraft. Huh? I want to see his face.
  
• Rogers is convinced Landon Donovan is headed back to San Jose to the new MLS franchise. Adds: Donovan won't get another sniff from a European club. "He's blown his chances." Donovan, meanwhile, was not called up for Saturday's friendly against South Africa.
  
• Tim Cahill's bicycle kick was better than Taylor Twellman's.
• Alex McLeish leaving Scotland for the Premiership? Discuss.
• Dreadful discussion about the bottom of the Premiership table Derby bashing is passe.