Crazy U.S. Comeback in Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG – The situation looked all too familiar for U.S. soccer at halftime on Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa: a much smaller, less renowned country running all over a lethargic U.S. team at the World Cup. Did it bring back images of Ghana’s eliminating upset of the U.S. in 2006? Epic disappointment hovered in the air above U.S. fans who hoped for a deep run in 2010 as Slovenia, essentially a brand-new country of just a few million, jumped to 2-0 lead. Coach Bob Bradley deserves a raise after engineering “The Yanks” to a comeback, a draw and a near win that saved them from the brink of elimination.
In the first half, The U.S. looked lazy, unmotivated, unlucky and like 11 individuals while the gritty Slovenians seemed quick, hungry, fortunate and like a cohesive football unit. Each Slovenian goal sucked the air out of Ellis Park on Friday. At halftime, American flags that were waving violently in the beginning stood dead still and American fans that were jumping up and down at kickoff sat chilled in unconfident silence – mulling over the falling fate of their team.
I gazed around the Slovenian section where I sat. It was a strange sight, indeed. People of a country where essentially no American in the stadium could point to on a map were exhilarated. Slovenian fans, looking out of place at the World Cup with a fresh nationalistic identity, neon green wigs and not really an internationally notable player’s jersey to sport, now looked confident in winning a group consisting of the U.S. and England. It was an unexpected party for these Europeans. A party that did not seem destined to be crashed.
Everyone knew a U.S. loss would all but doom the squad’s chances of advancement after such promising signs of improvement throughout the last three years. Deep within the rugged Ellis Park stadium, the U.S. locker room, led by their stoic manager, stayed poised. Less than three minutes into the second half, captain Landon Donovan took charge, making a run alongside the net. He drilled a high shot from a tough angle past the timid Slovenian ‘keeper. The U.S. sections exploded into life. Maybe U.S. soccer wouldn’t disappear in the “dark city” of Johannesburg.
Then, the Slovenians stalled, the U.S. squandered countless opportunities and the officials made several questionable calls. With Ellis Park on edge, shaking with anxiety, the score stood frozen at 2-1 until the U.S. manager’s son struck.
Midfielder Michael Bradley received an excellent head pass from Jozy Altidore as Bradley trailed toward the goal. The coach’s son, who looked like a born leader on the field Friday, slid through the box and knocked the ball into the back of the net for the most clutch goal in U.S. history. To say U.S. fans went nuts would be an understatement. The other U.S. fans in the Slovenian section almost knocked each other down in excitement. Others stood on the rigid Ellis Park seats and violently waved American flags in the wake of the comeback.
The phantom 3rd goal, just moments later, robbed by seemingly poor officiating, sent the stadium into a frenzy. But it didn’t matter, the Malian official called a foul, and the rally was stifled and so we’re the U.S. fans.
But the constant firing of the offense and the passion shown by the U.S. players in the second half (Dempsey seemed to be one of the most emotional, slapping away a Slovenian player’s gesture of a handshake after being knocked down in stoppage time) unveiled a much fiery, resolved U.S. team than in years past. One that would not give up even in a two goal hole, no momentum and only 45 minutes to play.
Whatever Manager Bob Bradley did at half-time can now be deemed ingenious as it salvaged the U.S.’ relevance at World Cup South Africa. U.S. fans walked out of Ellis Park bitter at officiating but in pure relief. The Americans still breathe “life” at this wild tournament.

—Philip Deutsch

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