What if ... the USMNT was awarded the handball against Germany in the 2002 World Cup?

Editor's note: Throughout the history of sports, there have been countless moments that have made us wonder how things would differ if just one circumstance or decision had been changed. "What if" is a series in which we will examine how the trajectory of several athletes and teams could have looked had major moments gone in a different direction. 

Previously:

What if … Drew Bledsoe never got hurt?
What if… the 49ers drafted Aaron Rodgers instead of Alex Smith in the 2005 NFL Draft

What if the USMNT was awarded the handball against Germany in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal?

The 2002 World Cup was the first to have multiple hosts, and also the first to take place in Asia— with the tournament being held in Japan and South Korea. After being eliminated in the Round of 16 in 1994 and not making it out of the group stage in 1998, the USMNT was primed for a run in 2002. They were able to finish as runners-up in their group, most notably defeating Portugal 3-2 and drawing with group winner South Korea. In the Round of 16, they faced Mexico for the first time at a World Cup— and recorded a 2-0 victory behind goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan.

Next, it was on to the quarterfinal against powerhouse Germany. Michael Ballack got the Germans out to an early 1-0 lead in the 39th minute, but the Americans responded with several attacking plays to start the second half.

But in the 50th minute, everything changed. 

Oliver Kahn, Torsten Frings, Gregg Berhalter and Landon Donovan in action during the World Cup quarterfinal match between Germany and USA at the Munsu Football Stadium on June 21, 2002 in Ulsan, South Korea. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)

Off a USMNT corner kick by Donovan, a German player