We're down to 25 days until a referee whistles the start to the 2014 World Cup. MLSsoccer.com continues its build-up to the world's greatest sporting event in Brazil by getting the all-time favorite World Cup memory of Portland Timbers and Canadian national team captain, Will Johnson.
As an 11-year-old in 1998, Johnson witnessed one of the greatest goals in World Cup history during the England vs. Argentina second-round knockout match in Saint-Etienne:
France '98 was the first time I really had memories of a World Cup, but it was definitely highlighted by the Michael Owen goal against Argentina and then seeing France win on their home soil and all the parties that followed.
I want to say were on vacation in Florida somewhere, Orlando maybe, because there were tons of British people everywhere. I can’t remember exactly where we were, but that sounds about right. Being a Liverpool fan as well, it was a special time when Owen broke onto the scene. Like I said, the memories are kind of blurred a little bit, but that definitely stood out.
I was a little striker at the time, and he was a young player at the time, so I was just trying to be him.
I then remember Argentina doing that little trick play behind the wall and tying it up [just before halftime] and I remember just being devastated. But yeah, those were some good memories.
Editor's Note: Owen's goal put England up 2-1 in the 16th minute after both teams exchanged early penalty-kick goals. Argentina equalized 2-2 just before halftime and there wouldn't be another goal for the rest of regulation and extra time. England, who saw David Beckham get famously sent off for a kick on Diego Simeone, would be foiled again in the ensuing penalty kick shootout.
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