US takes it! From tears to cheers in Civic Center for World Cup

Pub date June 23, 2010
SectionPixel Vision

Tension hung over the Civic Center Plaza World Cup watchers this morning like Ocean Beach fog.

The US soccer team faced elimination throughout a nerve-wracking battle with Algeria. Conspiracy theories were abound after the referees called back an early US goal in the first half, echoing a similar controversial call from last Friday’s tie game against Slovenia. Fans went through a wide range of emotions until the final minutes when US star Landon Donovan followed up on a loose ball in front of the Algerian goal. Pandemonium broke out among the few hundred gathered in the plaza as 90 tense minutes were finally absolved. Now, on to round 16!

(h/t The Awl)