Landon Donovan vs. Algeria – World Cup ‘10 | Unfiltered Soccer

Summary

Podcast Summary: Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan & Tim Howard

Episode: Landon Donovan vs. Algeria – World Cup ‘10 | Unfiltered Soccer

Release Date: May 21, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode takes listeners on a vivid, emotional, and often hilarious journey through the most dramatic moment in U.S. Men's National Team history: Landon Donovan's stoppage-time goal against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup. Co-hosts Landon Donovan and Tim Howard break down the chaos, tension, and euphoria of that unforgettable game from their unique perspectives as key participants. Using sharp analysis, playful banter, and behind-the-scenes stories, they relive the goal's build-up, the game's frenetic flow, and the dogpile celebration that captivated a nation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: High Stakes in Pretoria

• Tension Before Kickoff:
  The U.S. needed a win to advance from the group stage. The pressure was palpable as both teams played wide open, with “chaotic, like, 20 minutes of, like, we're all cheating up the field.” (Tim, 02:20)
• Algeria Nearly Score Early:
  Rafiq Jabour’s shot hits the crossbar in the 6th minute, setting the tone for a frantic match.
  • “...Algeria’s Rafiq Jabour gets in, and he's alone, and he smashes a ball, hits the crossbar...”—Tim (00:38)

2. Fuzzy Memories Under Pressure

• Memory Blackout:
  Landon confesses he barely remembers the match outside of the goal, highlighting how high-pressure moments can blur everything but the most crucial details.
  • “Can I tell you...I don't remember one thing about this game.” —Landon (01:12)
  • “I don't watch games back...I've never once watched a singular game back of my own.” —Landon (01:25)

3. Critical Non-Calls and Missed Chances (00:56—02:19)

• Disallowed Clint Dempsey goal for offside that, upon review, “he's never offside. Like, never, ever, ever.” —Tim (01:40)
• Dempsey hits the post again in the second half, adding to the mounting tension.

4. Describing Chaos: The Match Turns Wild (02:20—03:08)

• Both teams throw caution to the wind; midfield disappears. The episode's hosts recall “this back and forth ping pong match” with neither side controlling the tempo.
  • “It was a tennis match. Someone just stick their foot on the ball, right?” —Landon (02:42)
  • “Now you look up and it's 4v4 midfield. And I'm like, well, we gotta go, right?” —Tim (02:51)

5. The Decisive Play: From Howard’s Save to Donovan’s Goal

Tim’s Perspective as Goalkeeper (03:08–05:19)

• Quick Decision-Making:
  Howard details the importance of “seeing the picture before the ball ever got to you”—being prepared for the next play as a top-level keeper.
  • “If you're like elite mentally, you have a picture of what the field looks like.” —Tim (03:40)
• Throwing the Ball to Landon:
  With the midfield empty, Howard sprints out of his box and throws to Donovan, sparking the break.
  • “I mean, it was a great throw. But guess what? I could have put that anywhere. There was no one around you.” —Tim (05:29)

Landon’s Perspective as Attacker (05:49–07:27)

• What Was Going Through His Mind:
  Landon describes his play style—preferring a give-and-go rather than taking on defenders solo. He credits Josy Altidore's clever play:
  • “My thought was always get it to someone and run. Because me running without the ball was way faster than with the ball.” —Landon (05:56)
  • On Josie Altidore:
    “He'll never get enough credit for...his football IQ, his ability to see a path. He was strong, he could hold the ball up, he could run you...so clever in those moments.” —Tim (07:01)
• On the Goal Itself:
  The moment felt massive in every way. Landon describes the feeling:
  • “Sometimes the goal looks like three inches wide and sometimes it looks three miles wide. And I feel like the goal was so massive, like it was impossible in that moment to miss.” —Landon (07:27)

6. The Immediate Aftermath: Unplanned Celebration (08:25–09:43)

• Team Euphoria:
  Dogpile ensues as teammates rush the field.
  • “Got dog piled on...my favorite one is Josie [Altidore]. He's like 10ft in the air...he lands on somebody.” —Tim (09:01)
• Bench Involvement:
  “Stu [Holden]...was halfway down the sideline before the ball hit the net...we met at the corner flag and just slid.” —Landon (09:05)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------| | 01:12 | “Can I tell you...I don't remember one thing about this game.” | Landon | | 02:42 | “It was a tennis match. Someone just stick their foot on the ball, right?” | Landon | | 03:40 | “If you're like elite mentally, you have a picture of what the field looks like.” | Tim | | 05:56 | “My thought was always get it to someone and run. Because me running without the ball was way faster than with the ball.” | Landon | | 07:01 | “He'll never get enough credit for...his football IQ, his ability to see a path.” | Tim (on Josie Altidore) | | 07:27 | “Sometimes the goal looks like three inches wide and sometimes it looks three miles wide. And I feel like the goal was so massive...to miss.” | Landon | | 08:25 | “And I just sprinted to the corner and then got dog piled on.” | Landon | | 09:01 | “Josie...10ft in the air...dog pile’s there...I don't know where he lands, but he lands on somebody.” | Tim | | 09:05 | “Stu...was halfway down the sideline before the ball hit the net...we met at the corner flag and just slid.” | Landon |

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Trivia Segment & Fun Facts (09:43–12:57)

• Man of the Match:
  The pair humorously go back and forth guessing who was voted Man of the Match. The answer: Josie Altidore.
• U.S. World Cup Late Winners:
  The only match-winning goal later than Donovan’s was John Brooks’ 86th-minute goal vs. Ghana in 2014.
• MLS Trivia:
  Algerian keeper Rais M'Bolhi later signed with the Philadelphia Union—Tim nails the answer as a former keeper himself.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:38 — Algeria’s early crossbar chance
• 01:12 — Landon’s memory blackout of the game
• 01:40–02:19 — Disallowed goal for offside and Clint’s miss
• 02:20–03:08 — Description of 2nd half chaos
• 03:08–05:19 — Howard’s save, quick throw, and insight into goalkeeping
• 05:49–07:27 — Donovan’s perspective on the attack, Josie Altidore’s role, and scoring
• 08:25–09:43 — Celebration and dogpile breakdown
• 09:54–12:57 — Trivia segment and lighthearted banter

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Episode Highlights

• Unfiltered, Candid Reactions: Both hosts were honest about their recollections—Landon’s memory gaps and Tim’s detailed play-by-play provided balance.
• Insight into In-Game Decision-Making: Subtle tactical points (midfield emptiness, the value of reading the field as a goalkeeper, and fast breaking).
• Appreciation for Teammates: Both Donovan and Howard go out of their way to give credit to Josie Altidore and Clint Dempsey for their critical involvement.
• Unrehearsed Joy: The contagious, spontaneous joy—captured in stories about Stu Holden and the post-goal celebration—highlights the camaraderie on the 2010 team.
• Trivia and Humor: The lighthearted rivalry during the trivia questions keeps the mood lively and relatable.

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Conclusion

This episode offers an authentic and heartfelt behind-the-scenes breakdown of Landon Donovan’s iconic 2010 World Cup goal, blending tactical soccer insight, emotional reactions, and good-natured locker-room banter. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this episode brings the magic and madness of that day in Pretoria roaring back to life.

Transcript

[A]

This bonus content is brought to you by Jim Beam. We're cheersing the greatest U.S. world cup moments in history. And today, we're focusing on the most dramatic moments in U.S. soccer history. Landon Donovan, you. Your goal, our goal. Okay, that's true. I appreciate that. Your goal against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup.

[B]

Wow. Oh, what a moment.

[A]

Memory lane.

[B]

Okay, so let's just for. I mean, we'll get into all this stuff, but just so people remember, June 23rd. That number is, like, etched in my brain forever.

[A]

Is it June 23rd? Yeah.

[B]

Loftus Fairfield Stadium in Pretoria. We needed to win to get out of the group. In the sixth minute, I remember this well when I talk about it. Algeria's Rafiq Jabour gets in, and he's alone, and he smashes a ball, hits the crossbar. You remember that?

[A]

Well, I'll tell you what. I'll tell you what. I don't remember. No, no, it's true. I'm gonna stop you. So there are certain games. Okay. And I know you feel this way. There are certain games, ld that are crystal clear every moment of the game.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Can I tell you, I'm reading through the notes. I don't remember one thing about this game.

[B]

It's amazing.

[A]

Seriously. But, like, two moments. Don't remember hitting the crossbar. Don't remember our chances. Which will go. Right. Right.

[B]

Like, wow.

[A]

Also, because I don't watch games back. I've never watched. I've never once watched a singular game back of my own. So, like, yeah, keep going. It's amazing.

[B]

Okay, so that happens.

[A]

I do sort of remember. It was good goalkeeping. I came out, I made myself big. Gave him nothing to look at.

[B]

You gave him everything to look at. All right, so then 21st minute, I do, like, remember this when I watch it back. So hurt gets in, he shoots. It gets saved. It comes back to him. He shoots again. He'll tell everyone he was crossing. He never crossed once in his life. He shoots it, and it goes across the goal, mouth to Clint, who smashes it in, and they call him offside. And in the moment, you have no idea. There was no var at the time. When you watch back, he's never offside. Like, never, ever, ever. So it should have been a goal. Then later in the game, Second half.

[A]

Second half. Yeah.

[B]

Clint gets a chance. He comes inside, hits the post. It bounces back to him, and then he kind of skies it over and wide.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And so then there's just this chaotic, like, 20 minutes of, like, we're all cheating up the field. And you guys are just defending for your lives. Algeria has nothing to play for. So they're like, let's just go for it too. It's just this back and forth ping pong match.

[A]

Let me just pause for a second because I think we've talked about this on the show. There are moments in a soccer game where you cannot stop the flow.

[B]

Like, so good.

[A]

You're watching, you're going, this is, this is a tennis match. Someone just stick their foot on the ball, right? And the other team doesn't play according to the rules, so they're flying out of that position. So you gotta fly position.

[B]

And so then you, like, you get the ball and. And everyone's thinking, like, you should just calm down, calm down, get control. But now you look up and it's 4v4 midfield. And I'm like, well, we gotta go, right? And then they get it and they're like, well, we gotta go.

[A]

It's the same. It's crazy, man. It's chaos. All right?

[B]

And then the moment. So it's 00, 91st plus minute. I remember they get a ball on the right and they cross it and the guy has a. Well, what is he, like 8 yards out or something? Yeah, pretty free header.

[A]

It was hard. Stung my hands. Stung my hands. It wasn't that hard.

[B]

You're so dumb. So he heads it. I'm not sure it would have even gotten to the goal line, but it falls into your hands and then will you take people through? So, yeah, this I, I do say in all seriousness, you always were seeing the picture before the ball ever got to you. And I tell goalies this now, like when I was coaching, you should have an idea. Of course you're trying to save the ball and whatever, but if you're like elite mentally, you have a picture of what the field looks like. So that if you get the ball, you've seen the picture already.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And so many goalies catch it, look around, look to their right, move around, and they look up and there was a guy wide open and now they missed him.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And so you always had that picture, right? So you had an idea that there was something on. So what after that moment, you know,

[A]

sort of you and I, you and Clint, you and I and me and Clint. Because you guys were mostly on the wing. Every time I sort of got the ball, just in general, we played, I don't know, a hundred times together. I was always looking for that outlet. Right, because you guys always wanted the ball. You didn't like Turn your back. You didn't walk. You were like. The body language is like, if I'm on, like, play me the ball. And I learned early on, you know, when you get the ball, you sprint to the edge of the box, right? It's like. It's like a point guard. You push the ball. You don't have to be a fast break, push the ball, get the team in the offense. So I. My thing was always sprint to the edge of the box if nothing's on. All right, cool. We'll just hang out for a minute, right? But, like, try. Try and get the game going. And it's also goalkeeper, one on one, you. You sort of. Wherever the ball comes from, you go out the opposite side. So I get the ball. And by the way, that outlet to. I'd have to go back and watch. But this was a tennis match. Like, I like you and I talked about, right? So that wasn't the first time in that last 20 minutes of the game that I got the ball. And we quickly transitioned, right, like that. This game was just like chaos. So we scored the goal on that, on this. But there was other moments where I got the ball out of the back or the ball sort of squeaked out the other side and we just pushed it.

[B]

So.

[A]

So, yeah, it was. You know, it was. The game was so. Like, there was. There was nobody. I mean, remember, the midfield was empty. So they had a back.

[B]

There was nobody around.

[A]

No, they had a back four, and we had a back four. And then the both midfields were, like, either squeezed to one end or the other. There was literally no nobody in the midfield, like, the whole last 25 minutes. So when I got the ball, sprinted out, threw it. I mean, it was a great throw. But guess what? I could have put that anywhere. There was no one around you. Like, it just tossed it out there and then. And then you took it and went, go. Your turn.

[B]

Yeah, so I get it. And. And this is. If you watch closely, I think I take one touch and then I take a second touch, and my second touch is a total donkey touch. Like, I definitely put it too far. And if the defender was alert, he sort of steps and then he backs up. But if he had committed to it, he would have smashed me and it would have been like a 50, 50, and it wouldn't ever happen. But he backs off. And then the way I always played was I knew my best attributes. If I was 1v1 with someone wide or whatever, I could get a yard and get across or get a yard and get A shot. But I wasn't going to run by three guys. I wasn't Mbappe or Messi or whatever. So my thought was always get it to someone and run. Because me running without the ball was way faster than with the ball and I, I like the of my runs and how I did that. So my thought was get it to Josie and let's get in front of the goal. And Josie makes. There's a lot of underrated plays in this that people don't realize. And it's why I tell. I used to say this when I was coaching loyal put pressure on teams, right? Like put the play or put the ball in a place where it puts pressure on a backline. So Josie gets it. Clint does what he always did, which was just being a nuisance in front of all and. And Josie puts it in a great spot that puts them under pressure and they have to make a play.

[A]

Can I stop you before you continue? Shout out to Josie. Outdoor. I know he's a dear friend of ours. He's listening. He's a monster. Because Josie had this ability like he'll never get enough credit for sort of like his football iq, his ability to see a path. Like he was strong, he could hold the ball up, he could run you, he could drag you. He scored goals. But his ability to sort of like find players like really cheeky and clever in those moments. So anyway, shout out to.

[B]

No, he's. He was. He. It's hard to say this, but he was underrated as a player in general. He was so clever man, so good. So he rolls it, Clint goes in front of the goal, bounces off the goalie. And someone was asking me the other day like, do I still see that goal through that lens? I don't because it only happened once, right? I see it through the TV angle now and that's how I remember it. But I swear to him sometimes, like as a goal scorer, anybody who's scored goals will understand this. Sometimes the goal looks like three inches wide and sometimes it looks three miles wide. And I feel like the goal was so massive, like it was impossible in that moment to miss. It felt so big, so amazing. And then scoring and then turning the corner. And this is what people don't understand. Like a lot of times people have pre planned celebration. When you're in a game like that and then you score, the last thing you're thinking about is like some pre planned thing. So you just react.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I just sprinted to the corner and then got dog piled on and

[A]

it's Amazing chaos ensued, bro. I'm. I'm looking at. So I have it. I have, like. I've got pictures pulled up of my phone, right? And I've seen all of these. Like, you. You're sprinting away. There's a. There's one of Benny Fellheimer behind you, like, screaming to the gods. And then Josie. My favorite one. My favorite one is Josie. He's like 10ft in the air. The dog piles there. And, like, I don't know where he lands, but he. He lands on somebody. He's literally 10ft in the air.

[B]

The other thing is, when I turned the corner, I. I caught eyes with Stu Holden.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And he. Stu, I swear to God, he was halfway down the sideline before the ball hit the net like he was. And you talk about, like, great teams, right? And great teammates. Stu was on the bench.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

But he was just as excited as we all were. And I think that was the fastest I ever saw Stu run in his life. We met at the corner flag and just slid. And then dogpile ensued.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. Dude. I'm looking. I'm looking at pictures, and it's crazy. Yeah. You slid in and he was like. I think Stu was at the corner flag sliding before you did.

[B]

He was waiting for me to get there.

[A]

Stu. Stu Holden was thinking, if I get there first, the world's going to think I scored.

[B]

I actually thought he scored. When I turned the corner, I'm like, did you score? Did we? All right, Andrew, put some trivia up. Can we answer some trivia?

[A]

You know, I love trivia because I'm. I'm really good at it.

[B]

I know you are.

[A]

Oh, we go back. I think I said, it's too off camera. But I think we have to, for the record, say, can you imagine if I ran to the edge of the box and I wait, and instead of throwing it, I waved you off, told

[B]

everyone to get up, and I just held.

[A]

Held it and went, calm down. Calm. Let's get up the pitch.

[B]

You just wanted to shut out.

[A]

This moment would have. This moment would have never happened.

[B]

It's all about you. Tell us.

[A]

No, keep going.

[B]

What if you had done what every goalie does in the 90th, where he just fell on the ball and, like, waited 12 seconds.

[A]

This day in U.S. soccer history, us bow out.

[B]

Because I'd be working at McDonald's. All right, trivia number one. We have not read any of these. According to us soccer.com, who was named man of the match from this game.

[A]

Oh, well, I know the games. I was man of the match, obviously. So what? Miss one? I mean, I'm guessing match. You didn't get it?

[B]

Well, I don't. I feel like Andrew wouldn't have put that in there if it was me. I'm gonna say Michael Bradley.

[A]

That was. That was gonna be my guess. Clint.

[B]

Clint Dempsey. Yeah. Okay, good. Josie. Was he really.

[A]

See, Josie's underrated.

[B]

We don't even pick up very. I know. All right. Congrats, Josie. You know, it's cool in the World cup you get these. I have some.

[A]

Samesies, bro. Same. Show you mine. I got three.

[B]

Yeah, you have these, like, cool. Little like you get an actual trophy. Really cool.

[A]

Yeah, it's fun.

[B]

Okay, next. Landon. My goal is the latest match winning goal in U.S. men's National Team World cup history. What is number two, the latest. Oh, match winning. Latest match winning goal.

[A]

All right, so let's go through this. How many we didn't win?

[B]

We don't have many wins.

[A]

So we have Colombia.

[B]

Mexico's happened early against in 2002. Colombia, Colombia.

[A]

We didn't win any in 98.

[B]

2002 said was early.

[A]

2006, we didn't win.

[B]

Match winning was early. Yeah.

[A]

2010. This was that one.

[B]

14.

[A]

Oh, John Brooks. Is that. Yeah, John Brooks.

[B]

When was that, Donna?

[A]

It was like.

[B]

Was that late? Okay, John Brooks.

[A]

Let's go, Tim.

[B]

Yep. Versus God. 86th minute. Wow. I didn't realize that late.

[A]

Oh, it was late. What was it, 90?

[B]

What? 86.

[A]

86. Bang. We scored early and late. What a game. Okay.

[B]

All right, last one. The Algerian goalkeeper that we scored on was Rice and Boli. What MLS team signed him four years later?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know this?

[A]

Mm.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Philadelphia Union.

[B]

I was gonna say Philly.

[A]

So good. I am so good.

[B]

That's my guess. Yep. Well, he's a goalkeeper. You better know this. I was gonna say Philly. That's where my mind went.

[A]

Why would I do it?

[B]

Was that before Andre Blake, then? Yeah, that was before Andre Blake. Wow.

[A]

I'm so good at trivia.

[B]

Jim Beam. The official spirit of U.S. soccer. Whether you're falling from the stadium or from home, grab a Jim Beam and lemonade and enjoy with those around you you best enjoyed together.