The 25 Greatest Moments in American Sports History

With the United States' exit in the World Cup coming just days before the 4th of July, athletic patriotism is riding high. Remember the glory days here.

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Complex Original

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Although the United States is out of the 2014 World Cup, we've got the Fourth of July as an excuse to keep the patriotism going. It's a great time to get a lifetime's worth of wear into your ugly all-over American flag printed tracksuit, because it's totally unacceptable to wear it during the other 11 months of the year. That World Cup hangover likely won't go away any time soon though, since we're all replaying the last 35 minutes of the Belgium match wondering: A) Is Tim Howard a real person or some sort of Captain America-style athletic project from the American government and B) HOW DID WE (specifically Chris Wondolowski) NOT SCORE TO WIN OR TIE THE MATCH? 

To help remedy this soccer stress (the very idea of millions of Americans being adversely affected by a soccer match is kind of new here), we've put together every awesome moment in United States sporting history. If one of our fellow citizens repped the Stars N' Stripes in an international competition, they're eligible here. (Note how events like Mike Piazza's post-9/11 home run aren't.) Relive the times where America truly kicked ass at international sporting events through The 25 Greatest Moments in American Sports History.

25. John Brooks' Header Over Ghana

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24. Winning the Battle of the Brians

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23. Carl Lewis (Eventually) Winning the 1988 Olympics 100 Meter Gold

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22. Abby Wambach's Game-Winning Header

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21. Jackie Joyner-Kersee's Record-Setting 1988 Olympics Run

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20. Dan Jansen's 1994 Gold Medal

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19. Landon Donovan's Goal vs Algeria

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18. Five American Boxers Win Gold in 1976

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17. Vince Carter Dunking Over France

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16. U.S. Knocks Mexico Out of 2002 World Cup

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15. Mark Spitz's Seven Gold Medals

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14. The Redeem Team Makes Everything Right Again

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13. Greg Louganis Cracking Head then Winning Gold

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12. Rulon Gardner Defeats Russian Wrestling Empire

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11. Oscar De La Hoya Dedicating Gold Medal to Mom

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10. Women's Soccer Team Wins Gold Medal in Overtime

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9. 1999 Women's World Cup Triumph

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8. U.S.A. Men's Basketball Says No to Silver

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7. Kerri Strug's Gutsy 1996 Olympics

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6. Michael Phelps' Eight Gold Medals

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5. Muhammad Ali Lighting the Torch

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4. Tommie Smith and John Carlos' Black Power Salute

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3. Miracle on Ice

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2. The Dream Team Takes Over the World

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1. Jessie Owens Dominates Hitler in the 1936 Olympics

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