Comparing great sports moments
I’m a lucky guy. I’m fortunate enough to have witnessed what is arguably a franchise’s most important shot. Time was winding down and fans were nervous. All I can remember clearly was pure elation when the shot hit the net.
Three weeks ago, those words would’ve solely described being a 12-year-old at the Alamodome, watching Spurs forward Sean Elliott hit what became the Memorial Day Miracle. But now, I can apply the previous paragraph to seeing Landon Donovan’s goal for the US Men’s National Soccer team against Algeria at the World Cup.
As someone who used to only go to one or two Spurs games a season, I have very little to compare Donovan’s match-winner to, other than Elliott’s 3-pointer. So we’ll go to the tale of the tape and break this matchup down.
Back story
The Memorial Day Miracle came in Game 2 of the 1999 Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trailblazers. San Antonio had a 1-0 series lead entering the game. The Spurs were down by 15 points early in the third quarter, and Elliott’s three was their first, and only, lead of the game. But San Antonio was gaining momentum leading to the Ninja’s shot by erasing the aforementioned deficit.
Donovan’s goal, on the other hand, came in the final game of group play during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The score was tied 0-0 going into second half stoppage time, and with England leading Slovenia 1-0 in the other group game, the US had to win to advance to the knockout rounds. A draw would’ve meant going home. The match was beginning to feel like a lost cause with time running out and all I could think about was how many chances the US squandered leading up to when Donovan got possession of the ball at midfield.
Advantage: Donovan’s goal
Degree of difficulty
Sean Elliott’s 3-pointer came off a sideline-out-of-bounds play where he was cutting away from the basket, had to catch the pass and turn to face the basket. He was so close to the sideline that he had to take a dribble to correct his balance, while not putting his heels down because they were hovering ever so close to the line.
Then he had to hit the shot over Rasheed Wallace, a guy known for his ridiculously long wingspan. Oh, and both his kidneys were failing at the time. Good luck topping that.
Donovan’s goal was a tap-in. After the Tim Duncan-esque outlet pass from US goalkeeper Tim Howard, Landon Donovan pushed the ball up field and got it on the wing to striker Jozy Altidore. Jozy put a short, low cross into the box for Clint Dempsey, who tried to tap it past the Algeria keeper. The shot was blocked and rolled into the middle of the box where Donovan, who continued his run down field, slotted the Jubalani into the net.
Although, if the Algeria keeper would’ve been able to hold onto the ball after Dempsey’s shot, I wouldn’t be writing this post. In fact, Donovan’s goal days earlier against Slovenia, where he shot from the side of the goal and hit the roof of the net, was much tougher than this one.
Advantage: Memorial Day Miracle
Aftermath
The Memorial Day Miracle gave the Spurs a 2-0 lead over the Blazers in the Western Conference Finals. San Antonio went on to sweep the Blazers and beat the New York Knickerbockers in the Finals for the franchise’s first title. In the long term, Elliott’s 3-pointer has been a forgotten moment outside of Spurs culture.
Maybe because it was during the lockout season, or because Elliott is no superstar, or perhaps because it’s the Spurs. But for whatever reason, the Memorial Day Miracle is rarely mentioned in the conversation of greatest shots in NBA Playoff history, except by me.
When Landon Donovan tapped in that goal in the 91st minute against Algeria, insanity ensued. I’ve never hugged so many dudes in as short a time span as I did after Donovan’s goal. (Note: Guys, don’t go to the World Cup to meet girls. Any girl there came with her husband or long-time boyfriend. Or dad. Especially at the first World Cup in Africa.)
The Algeria goal should go down as the greatest goal in US Soccer history at this point, not that there’s a lot of competition for that honor right now. ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons does a decent job explaining its significance, so I’ll just leave you with this: how excited were you when the goal went in? How invested did you become when the US took on Ghana days later? Then remember that this wasn’t affecting just a small market team in South Texas, but a country.
Advantage: Donovan’s goal
The final verdict
I don’t care what y’all say, I’ll fudge the numbers all I want. Donovan’s goal was the greatest sports moment I’ve witnessed in person, taking the crown from that sunny Memorial Day afternoon in 1999. I consider myself blessed for having been able to experience both events, it’s something I’ll be able to cherish for the rest of my life.
It also leads me to wonder if I’m the only person in the world to attend both games, a crazy thing to think about. But if I’m not the only one, it’s got to be a small club, right?
I’m off to design membership cards.
