Kick Off: US win seen as turning point, sets new mark for web traffic
This scene in Miami, Florida was seen in establishments across the country on Wednesday
Watershed moment. Tipping point.
The consensus is clear that the US victory over Algeria, and specifically Landon Donovan’s goal, was the breakthrough moment soccer was looking for in this country.
To know just how magical this run is becoming, here is a story talking about how there were coast to coast celebrations in the USA after the dramatic win over Algeria.
This is how the 91st minute against Algeria was experienced around the country:
Washington, D.C. (VIDEO)
New York, New York (VIDEO)
Miami, Florida (VIDEO)
Phoenix, Arizona (VIDEO)
Las Vegas, Nevada (VIDEO)
Oakland, California (VIDEO)
Seattle, Washington (VIDEO)
Boston, Massachusetts (VIDEO)
You know it’s a classic moment when these clips can give you goosebumps more than 24 hours later.
For a more scientific approach at measuring how big the Donovan goal was, here is one metric: the US win over Algeria caused a greater spike in internet traffic than Barack Obama’s election victory.
The US victory has officially crossed over to the mainstream. How about New York sports talk radio personality Mike Francesa talking soccer with SI.com’s Grant Wahl?
Donovan’s message to ex-wife Bianca Kajlich in the post-game interview did not go unnoticed by the gossip pages.
Then there are the political shows: The Rachel Maddow Show interviewed Donovan one-on-one.
They even have the actor picked out to play Donovan in the future movie to be made about Wednesday’s game.
The stars have come out for the World Cup. New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush was also on hand for the US victory and he joined former President Bill Clinton in the post-game celebrations.
One Major League Baseball shortstop says baseball isn’t even his favorite sport: that’s reserved for soccer.
We mentioned “crossing over” but this takes it a bit too far: Donovan’s goal against Algeria used to explain asset class management and portfolio diversification?
Even Donovan trading cards are blowing up all over Ebay.
Many are already crowning Donovan as the best American player ever.
The Galaxy captain's goal was special enough that even the throw by goalkeeper Tim Howard to start the play has been picked apart.
The English are giving all the kudos to Major League Soccer for the US advancing to the second round.
It's a league which could still see the arrival of Spanish legend Raul, according to this report from AS (Spanish). Then there are also the reports in the Italian press linking Ronaldinho to MLS and the French articles giving for certain the impending arrival of Thierry Henry.
Defending MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake are busy preparing for Friday’s regular season match against the SJ Earthquakes and happened to be gathered together for the Donovan moment.
Lest US fans should think they have been the most victimized nation at the World Cup when it comes to referee calls, try standing in Serbia’s shoes.
Speaking of which, MLS Commissioner Don Garber speaks out on calls for instant replay in soccer following the contentious decisions in US matches thus far.
While Paraguay play New Zealand on Thursday in hopes of advancing to the World Cup Round of 16, an arrest has finally been made in relation to the shooting of their star forward Salvador Cabanas. And there is a US connection.
Against the backdrop of the World Cup, the Kansas City Wizards new stadium continues to take shape.
Philadelphia Union manager Peter Nowak prepared for this weekend’s “DISGRACE” match against Freddie Ljungberg and the Seattle Sounders by throwing out the first pitch at the Phillies baseball game on Wednesday night.
Lastly, this was the last Chicago Fire player anyone would expect to be in the news for his wedding plans.
