As the U.S. team set out to do something that none of its predecessors have done – win a third group stage match – the reality of the circumstances didn’t seem to phase them at all.

American coach Bob Bradley summed it up in the following manner:

“We understand that if we win, we advance.”

Bradley’s frank response fittingly corresponded with the blue-collar effort displayed by USA soccer.  With an unfortunate (and flat-out missed) call marring what would have been a come-from-behind win against Slovenia – in addition to another setback that they would experience in today’s game - the U.S. has played with the resilience of a unit that refuses to be denied.

In minute 92 of today’s contest versus Algeria, the blue-collar attitude finally paid off.

Landon Donovan, who scored a game-changing goal in the second half of the United States’ draw with Slovenia, tickled the twine during the extra time to assure his team a spot in the next round of World Cup competition with a 1-0 triumph.

Donovan took advantage of an easy chance to score the game's only goal.

Jozy Altidore launched a ball that was blocked by Algerian goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi.  The ball trickled out to a waiting Donovan, who slapped it into the corner of the net for the tie-braking score.

With both teams pulling out all the stops to claim this win, the game was extremely free-flowing at the start.  As the game played on, the U.S. gained more scoring opportunities – only to be denied by MBolhi.  Twenty minutes into the action, the U.S. saw it first bit of success nullified.  Clint Dempsey put the ball in the opposition’s net, but his goal was taken of the board as the refs blew the whistle for an offsides penalty.  As was the case in the U.S.-Slovenia tilt, the call looked to be incorrect.

Undeterred, the Americans kept their composure, but at the same time kept the pressure of Algeria.  The match was filled with opportunities for both teams, but it wasn’t until Donovan’s moment that a draw was avoided.

The result immediately eliminated Algeria, but conversely, the U.S. moves on to the round of 16 after winning its group for the first time since 1930.

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