A Day Later

OK, I've come down slightly from my high. A little. Kind of. But each time they show highlights of Wednesday's stunning United States 1-0 World Cup victory over Algeria, I get chills again. And I love it!
Here's the scene: I'm watching the game at home, by myself, dying. I'm convinced that the U.S. is not destined to win. I mean, how many shots did they miss? It was a glass-half-empty kind of experience. If they can't make that one, what are they going to make? And another blown call by the ref? It's just not going to happen.
And then it did!
The throws by Tim Howard were incredible. I don't know if people noticed that, but he was throwing the ball so far and so accurately that the Seahawks should think about making an offer. The game, the win, was all about effort, and that is so cool. It's not just that the United States was more talented than Algeria - though it was. What was so great about it for me, was the effort it played with. It didn't play with the laid-back cool that we often seen in our athletes. It played with the desperation that is really going on inside them. And they were rewarded.
The goal wasn't a thing of beauty, except in what it meant. It was about a great throw, leading to a great, all-effort charge ahead by Jozy Altidore, to a great, all-effort finish by Landon Donovan. They didn't let up until they got what they needed. How cool is that?
So Algeria shoots and Tim Howard makes the save. I gasp. They might tie, they might not move on, but at least don't lose! And then another spectacular throw by Howard. I'm watching, transfixed, unable to breathe, keeping one eye on the clock, one on the play. Altidore just keeps going, getting where he had to be.
A large part of me is protecting myself by not actually believing they'll score. A small part of me is believing. The cross gets through! To Dempsey! But of course, the shot is blocked. ...but it's still alive. And here comes a white shirt!
Oh. My.God!!!!!!
But here's the problem. Satchel is still asleep. Yes, I know it's almost 10, but he was still sleeping! So I scream!!!!!!! But in my library voice, as not to wake him. I look around for someone to hug. I've got nothing! What do I do?!!!! I pound my legs, pump my fists, continue to scream internally. Aaaaaahhhhh! I need to yell!!!!! But I don't (I'm such a good father). Never have I wanted to be around people more.
I've seen a million sporting events. Being a sports writer can make you somewhat indifferent, as you feel like you see the same thing over and over. But sometimes, they get to you. They remind you why you care about sports. This was one of those moments. Tears began to well in my eyes. My heart was racing. It was an emotional experience that I completely snuck up on me. And I loved that too!
It was one of the great sporting events I've ever seen, right up there with the 1995 Mariners playoff run in terms of emotion for me. I don't know how else to describe it but incredible.
The United States might not win another game. Chile may bow out of the World Cup soon. There may be other bad referee calls. Players will continue to dive, those horns will continue to ring in my ears. It doesn't matter. This one moment made the entire World Cup perfect, and nothing is going to change that.