The words came haltingly, then not at all, as Landon Donovan tried to explain how much the goal meant to him.

He’s the greatest player the United States has ever produced and, at times, its greatest disappointment. He’s spent the last four years trying to claw his way back from heartbreaks both personal and professional. And for all the introspection and work he’s done, he and the Americans were on the verge of yet another World Cup flameout.

So yeah, he celebrated like a 6-year-old on a sugar rush when he scored the goal that will be remembered as one of the biggest in U.S. soccer history. And when it finally all sank in, no way he could — or would — stop the tears.

“In the past, a moment like that wouldn’t have felt the same, it wouldn’t have felt as good,” Donovan said Thursday. “When you put yourself on the line, and you risk things that you weren’t willing to risk before and then you’re rewarded for it, it feels incredible.”