That was the most exciting sports moment of my life. I am putting it out there right now. There has never been another sporting moment that has exceeded Landon Donovan's extra time miracle goal. I am not sure if there ever will be.

I remember the Oakland A's 1989 World Series win. (The A's are the number three love of my life behind my wife and my daughter. Yes, my immediate family has moved to number four. I've lived without them since I was 18. I talk to them regularly but I'm cool not being around them all the time. I need to know my A's scores. I check the offseason info. every single day. I LOVE THE A's.) I was at the Oakland Coliseum for Ramon Hernandez's walk off bunt in Game 1 of the 2003 ALDS against the Red Sox. I literally jumped up a row from my seat with that play. I watched the most dominant football team of all time. I cried when Ray Bourque hoisted the Stanley Cup. I watched Miracle. None of those many moments stack up.

I will remember the USA getting a goal in the 91st minute of the final group stage game in South Africa to advance to the knockout round. It all started with an Algerian header to Tim Howard who threw an outlet pass to Landon Donovan at mid-field. Let me say that again. The US goal keeper Tim Howard threw the ball to mid-field. (That is 60 yards) Donovon led a four on two break, passing to Jozy Altidore, who crossed to Clint Dempsey, who was denied by an incredible save from Rais Bolhi. Then Landon Donovan who was trailing, buried the goal.

I jumped from my chair at the KTAR Studio's and screamed. Jumped again and the next jump landed me up against Eric Sorenson (Gambo & Ash's Producer) who had stood up to presumably give me a high five. I high fived him and ran around the studio's screaming. That was remarkable. I calmed down, relatively, looked up and realized the English were shaking hands to with the Slovenians. Donovan's goal just knocked out the smallest country in the tournament. Sad for them. But who cares, the USA won.

About five minutes after the goal I realized something else. The Starred Eagles won the group. They had the goal differential on England and would take on the runner up in Group D. The US hadn't won it's group since before World War II.

No matter what happens in the Knockout Round I will always remember that goal. The US could probably win the World Cup, and that goal will still be the number one memory for me. Great plays happen all the time. Memorable plays happen daily. Time stopping, world changing, I will tell my kids about where I was, plays happen maybe only once in a lifetime.

Much more on this game and this play to come.

Please send any comments or questions to gheinrich@ktar.com.