Historic soccer boots up for charity bidding
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Jonathan Bornstein‘s game-tying score against Costa Rica in the U.S.’s final World Cup qualifying match last October is one of the most important goals in soccer history.
Honduran soccer history, that is.
That’s because the Americans’ tie, combined with Honduras’ win over El Salvador earlier that day, sent Honduras on to the World Cup for just the second time ever. That led to massive street celebrations in Honduras -- celebrations in which many people carried signs that read ‘Gracias USA’ -- and a formal invitation from the Honduran government for Bornstein to come visit the Central American country.
Today Bornstein put the cleats he was wearing that night up for sale on EBay, with the proceeds from the winning bid to be donated to the American Red Cross campaign to aid relief efforts in Haiti.
The online auction will run through Jan. 27 on EBay.
‘The devastation and suffering in Haiti is a tragedy for everyone,’ Bornstein said. ‘One of our teammates, Jozy Altidore, is the son of Haitian immigrants and still has many family members there. It’s heartbreaking to see what is happening and we hope to be able to help in any way we can.’
Bornstein, a defender, didn’t actually score his memorable goal with his feet -- the goal, in stoppage time, came on a header off Robbie Rogers’ corner kick. And it was significant for U.S. soccer as well, since it ensured the U.S. would finish first in its qualifying group.
But it was more significant for Honduras, whose only World Cup appearance came 28 years ago. The U.S. will meet Honduras at the Home Depot Center on Saturday, the first time the countries have faced one another since World Cup qualifying. And Bornstein said he won’t be surprised if his opponents and their fans welcome him with handshakes and cheers. At least pregame.
‘It’s crazy how one goal can do that,’ said Bornstein, who has a Facebook page dedicated to him called Gracias Jonathan Bornstein. ‘It was a very big goal for me and the U.S. But for a whole other country that wasn’t even partaking in the game? It’s pretty amazing.’
-- Kevin Baxter