Yankee Doodle Landy: Donovan’s 91st Minute Goal Wins Group C For The United States

While walking through the interview zone at Loftus Versfeld Stadium following the 1-0 loss to the United States, Algeria player Rafik Saifi walked up to a female journalist representing an Algerian newspaper and slapped her across the face.

Asma Halimi, who works for the newspaper Competition, struck the player back in his mouth. He then threw a sports drink at a wall as Halimi was escorted away. It appears the two have a little history.

Algeria defender Antar Yahia, already on a yellow card, has received some good fortunate, where he attempt to keep Clint Dempsey from chasing a ball in the Algeria ended with a swing to Dempsey’s face, went unnoticed, and kept Yahia in the match.

Dempsey, with Yahia’s back turned to him, tried to run around the right side of the Algerian defender to chase a ball going to the Algerian goalkeeper. Yahia noticed Dempsey an flunk his right arm toward the attacker, catching Dempsey in the mouth, drawing blood.

The United States look set to spend the last ten minutes of the match in a 3-4-3 formation, having brought on DaMarcus Beasley for Jonathan Bornstein.

Beasley is likely to play on the left of midfield, an option to cross from the left for Edson Buddle and Jozy Altidore.

A cross from Benny Feilhaber in the 69th minute was met by Edson Buddle, who header from five yards out was headed directly into Rais M’Bolhu, who kept the match even, 0-0.

M’Bolhu immediate sprung Algeria on a counter attack the ended with a Karim Ziani shot from the right of goal, 15 yards out. The Algeria midfielder pulled it wide in the first sign that both teams were ready to open-up play.

Clint Dempsey has gone close again, finishing a 57th minute counter attack by putting a shot off Rais M’Bolhu’s left post.

A counter attack was played through the left wing and Jozy Altidore, whose pass across the top of the box eventually found it’s way to an oncoming Clint Dempsey. After a touch Dempsey was able to float a ball toward the right side of goal, hitting the post squarely.

Midfielder Benny Feilhaber has been brought on at halftime. Herculez Gomez, how was in on the play that created Clint Dempsey’s 20th minute non-goal, has been brought off.

Clint Dempsey will likely assume the supporting stiker’s role, with Feilhaber starting at left wing.

The United States had a 20th minute goal taken off the board when a controversial offside call went against the U.S., canceling a Clint Dempsey goal and keeping the team scoreless at halftime against the Algerians.

Dempsey stabbed a left-footed finish into an undefended net mid-way through the first half, but the U.S. attacker was adjudicated offside. Replays showed Dempsey onside, with Algeria defender Mahjid Bougherra keeping him on from three yards out.

The U.S. starting 11 has been named, according to Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl, and U.S. Men’s National Team coach Bob Bradley has made some changes for Wednesday’s crucial match with Algeria: Herculez Gomez replaces Robbie Findley, Maurice Edu is on for Jose Torres and Jonathan Bornstein instead of Oguchi Onyewu. Your surprise likely matches Wahl’s:

United States, Going Forward: If not striking on the counter attack, the United States is using quick, direct movements to generate goals. None of their three scores in this tournament have come through beautiful build-up play. The U.S. strikes quickly and, thus far this tournament, effectively.

Algeria, Going Forward: The flip side to Algeria electing to clog the midfield is the lack of presence in the attacking third. With Karim Ziani in the middle and Belhadj’s runs down the left flank, Algeria has no problems getting into attack.