We're down to 25 days until a referee whistles the start to the 2014 World Cup. We continue our build-up to the world's greatest sporting event in Brazil by getting the all-time favorite World Cup memory of Portland Timbers and Canadian national team captain, Will Johnson.
As an 11-year-old in 1998, Johnson witnessed one of the greatest goals in World Cup history during the England vs. Argentina second-round knockout match in Saint-Etienne:
France '98 was the first time I really had memories of a World Cup, but it was definitely highlighted by the Michael Owen goal against Argentina and then seeing France win on their home soil and all the parties that followed.
I want to say were on vacation in Florida somewhere, Orlando maybe, because there were tons of British people everywhere. I can’t remember exactly where we were, but that sounds about right. Being a Liverpool fan as well, it was a special time when Owen broke onto the scene. Like I said, the memories are kind of blurred a little bit, but that definitely stood out.
I was a little striker at the time, and he was a young player at the time, so I was just trying to be him.
I then remember Argentina doing that little trick play behind the wall and tying it up [just before halftime] and I remember just being devastated. But yeah, those were some good memories.
Editor's Note: Owen's goal put England up 2-1 in the 16th minute after both teams exchanged early penalty-kick goals. Argentina equalized 2-2 just before halftime and there wouldn't be another goal for the rest of regulation and extra time. England, who saw David Beckham get famously sent off for a kick on Diego Simeone, would be foiled again in the ensuing penalty kick shootout.
What do you recall about watching Owen's goal? Did his future career meet expecations? Where does he rank on your list of England all-time greatest strikers?
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