Goalie's Rare and Embarrassing Mistake Helps Lift U.S. Soccer Team Past Germany

There's a reason mistakes are often coupled with the adjective "costly." And nowhere was that more clear than in the United States' exciting 4-3 soccer victory over Germany on Sunday at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

With the U.S. up 1-0 in the early part of the first half, German goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen took a routine backpass from one of his teammates in front of their goal. Simple enough. But yet apparently very difficult. As the ball headed toward Ter Stegen and his goal, he seemed to freeze or change his mind in regard to what he wanted to do with it. That led the ball to scoot right by him, and by the time he realized it and tried to recover it was too late. It was an own-goal.

Here's how it unfolded on video:

"The feel-good factor is amazing," U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "The crowd was great, on the centennial anniversary. It was amazing to be a part of that game, and obviously to beat Germany was special."

The match, which drew 47,359 to RFK Stadium commemorated the 100th anniversary year of the U.S. Soccer Federation and followed a 4-2 loss Wednesday to a first-string Belgium in Cleveland.

The Americans play Friday at Jamaica, June 11 against Panama at Seattle, and June 18 versus Honduras at Sandy, Utah. The U.S. (1-1-1) is third in the six-nation final round of North and Central America and the Caribbean with four points, one behind Panama (1-0-2) and trailing Costa Rica (1-1-1) on goal difference. Honduras (1-1-1) is behind the U.S. on goal difference, while Mexico (0-0-3) has three points and Jamaica (0-1-2) two.

The top three nations qualify for next year's World Cup in Brazil, and the No. 4 team faces Oceania champion New Zealand in a home-and-home playoff for another berth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.