But Donovan's own career looks set to move with the kind of pace he showed to rattle the Germans early on.
Twice in the first half, Donovan got in behind the German defence and forced smart saves from the ever-efficient Kahn.
The Bayern Munich keeper also beat away a shot from Fulham midfielder Eddie Lewis as USA threatened to produce a shock that few had predicted possible.
Michael Ballack's close-range header - a German speciality at this World Cup - drew the sting from the US threat.
But Germany still had an outrageous escape when Gregg Berhalter's shot was handled on the line by Torsten Frings, out of sight of Scottish referee Hugh Dallas.
At that point, you couldn't help humming the 'Dallas' theme tune, but there was to be no corny twist to this American soap opera.
Those US fans who did tune in to watch their side back home will know the progress their game has made this summer.
The US mentality may demand another quarter- final appearance next time round, or perhaps even better.
But US sports fans who demand winning teams can at least finally claim to have found one on their soccer field.
You can only hope they realise it.