Landon Donovan goal lifts Americans in USA-Algeria World Cup showdown

It's already being called the most memorable score in United States soccer history. A Landon Donovan goal in the 91st minute lifted the Americans during the USA-Algeria World Cup showdown on Wednesday morning to a 1-0 victory, punching a ticket to the second round of the tournament.

See the goal and complete USA-Algeria highlights here.

You'd have a hard time scripting a more compelling story. For 90 minutes - the full length of a soccer game, mind you - the United States dominated but failed to punch home a goal, suffering a rash of bad luck that included a goal called back for offsides and shots that hit the post, crossbar and goalkeeper's sprawling leg.

But in the end Donovan ran through a rebound following a Jozy Altidore rip less than a minute into stoppage time,
immediately rewriting the story for the US Soccer team. Had they finished in a scoreless draw, the World Cup would have been a monumental letdown. Now the Americans have a legit chance to make it the most memorable tournament in the country's soccer history.

One goal. In a matter of the blink of an eye Donovan may have rewritten United States soccer history.

There is still plenty of work to be done, of course. Whoever the Americans draw, it will not be easy. And they won't be able to count on as many chances as they had Wednesday. But if nothing else the US has proven to have the heart of a champion, rallying dramatically from two goals down against Slovenia before Wednesday's heroics.

I don't know what's next. But I can't wait to find out.