60 Seconds

The 91st minute.

If you don't know anything about soccer, I should inform you that soccer matches are technically 90 minutes long. However there is something called "extra time" or "injury time" in which the referee adds additional time due to stoppages in play or injuries. Sometimes a minute can seem like an inconsequential blip in life; something that passes without you even knowing. Other times a minute is a lifetime or all that you need to survive. Today in South Africa, a minute was huge.

Watching the US/Algeria match brought me back to London in June of 2002. My buddy Kevin and I were at the beginning of our month long tour of Europe and I dragged him down to an Irish pub at 7 in the morning to watch Ireland/Germany in the World Cup. Germany, the heavy favorite, struck early and held a 1-0 until that pesky injury time. A long ball in, headed down by Niall Quinn to the foot of Robbie Keane and into the back of the net. Just like that the game was tied. Usually explosions involving Irishmen in London pubs are a bad thing but on that day it was great. Everything changed in a minute.

Many Americans can't understand why people like soccer but games like today and back in 2002 make me love the game. Working and working and working for 90 minutes just waiting for that chance. Sometimes you get it and it's pushed wide or the goalie gets a finger on it to deflect it away. Other times, the bounce goes your way, the ball ends up in the net and madness ensues. The U.S., much like Ireland in 2002, got what they deserved. Ireland busted it that day and got a draw which helped them advance. The US worked hard and got the goal that moved them into the last 16 and even won them their group. They boys in red, white and blue were on the verge of going home but now they're going on. Everything changed in a minute.

The U.S. got a miracle today. Now all that stands between us and the semi-finals is Ghana and Uruguay or South Korea none of which are soccer powerhouses. I don't know what's going to happen but it's anywhere near as good as today I can't wait.

Do yourself a favor and watch the game on Saturday afternoon but don't miss the extra time because sometimes a minute is all you need.