It was a Wednesday morning of close calls for Joe Nasternak and other Lawrence fans who turned out to watch the U.S. national team in their must-win World Cup match against Algeria.

Nasternak’s dedication to the soccer team — evident by his American flag bandana and jersey — paid off at the Red Lyon Tavern, 944 Mass., as his heroes pulled of a late goal to advance in the tournament.

Landon Donovan scored in the first minute of stoppage time off a rebound, to give the United States a 1-0 win.

Nasternak was one of several fans who packed the Red Lyon. He said the intensity of the World Cup reminded him “just a hair” of the excitement surrounding a big Kansas University basketball game.

“There’s a lot of people that you might not necessarily see, but you’re all here for the same cause, rooting for the same team,” he said. “In that regard, it’s pretty similar.”

Several area soccer fans packed the Red Lyon to watch World Cup matches, especially the U.S. national team’s games in the last two weeks.

They were rewarded with Donovan’s late-game heroics Wednesday morning.

“Any kind of growth for the game around here is good, and having a better team is definitely something to rally around,” Nasternak said.