The U.S. men’s national soccer team was not even supposed to be in the semifinal of the Confederations Cup after being drawn in a group with Brazil and Italy and losing their first two games convincingly.
But on Wednesday, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, the U.S. recorded its most memorable victory in years, knocking off FIFA’s top ranked team and Euro 2008 champion Spain 2–0.
The U.S. will play on Sunday it’s first ever final at a FIFA tournament against the winner of Thursday’s second semifinal between Brazil and South Africa.
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley was quoted on www.fifa.com saying, “We made a special effort to try to control their midfield and not let them get comfortable.”
A key to controlling the midfield was his son, Michael Bradley, shutting down the Spain’s Xavi. Unfortunately, Bradley picked up a red card for a two-footed lunge at a Spanish player late in the game. He will have to miss the final.
Spain had been on an unbelievable streak of 15 straight victories prior to Wednesday’s shocker.
Spanish head coach Vicente del Bosque said, “We were surprised by how well they played and we have to take our hats off to them.”
Spain gave up their first goal of the tournament in the 25th minute to a player who plays professionally in Spain, Jozy Altidore. The U.S. goal came on an effective counter-attack as Altidore held off the Spanish defender to fire a ball which Spanish goalie Iker Casillas could barely get a hand on.
The burly striker got a yellow card for taking off his shirt in his goal celebration. But the size and strength of Altidore gave the Spanish defense problems and may give other teams ideas on how to attack the heart of the Spanish defense.
Altidore, 19, from New Jersey, described his goal: “Clint Dempsey gave me a great pass for the first goal, and I’m a big boy so I was able to hold the defender off.”
The Spanish attack kept the U.S. on their heels for the rest of the game. But the U.S. defended resolutely with Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Jay DeMerit, and Carlos Bocanegra all having outstanding performances.
The U.S. counterattack sealed the victory in the 73rd minute as Clint Dempsey swept home a loose ball in the six-yard box that the Spanish defense failed to deal with adequately.
“We just beat the best team in the world, so we’re going to be very fired up no matter who we meet in the final,” said striker Landon Donovan
This is a truly historic victory for the U.S. Nobody gave them a chance against the hottest team in the world. Bob Bradley and company executed the perfect game plan—soak up the Spanish pressure and make the most of your counterattacks.
Don’t count them out in the final.
But on Wednesday, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, the U.S. recorded its most memorable victory in years, knocking off FIFA’s top ranked team and Euro 2008 champion Spain 2–0.
The U.S. will play on Sunday it’s first ever final at a FIFA tournament against the winner of Thursday’s second semifinal between Brazil and South Africa.
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley was quoted on www.fifa.com saying, “We made a special effort to try to control their midfield and not let them get comfortable.”
A key to controlling the midfield was his son, Michael Bradley, shutting down the Spain’s Xavi. Unfortunately, Bradley picked up a red card for a two-footed lunge at a Spanish player late in the game. He will have to miss the final.
Spain had been on an unbelievable streak of 15 straight victories prior to Wednesday’s shocker.
Spanish head coach Vicente del Bosque said, “We were surprised by how well they played and we have to take our hats off to them.”
Spain gave up their first goal of the tournament in the 25th minute to a player who plays professionally in Spain, Jozy Altidore. The U.S. goal came on an effective counter-attack as Altidore held off the Spanish defender to fire a ball which Spanish goalie Iker Casillas could barely get a hand on.
The burly striker got a yellow card for taking off his shirt in his goal celebration. But the size and strength of Altidore gave the Spanish defense problems and may give other teams ideas on how to attack the heart of the Spanish defense.
Altidore, 19, from New Jersey, described his goal: “Clint Dempsey gave me a great pass for the first goal, and I’m a big boy so I was able to hold the defender off.”
The Spanish attack kept the U.S. on their heels for the rest of the game. But the U.S. defended resolutely with Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Jay DeMerit, and Carlos Bocanegra all having outstanding performances.
The U.S. counterattack sealed the victory in the 73rd minute as Clint Dempsey swept home a loose ball in the six-yard box that the Spanish defense failed to deal with adequately.
“We just beat the best team in the world, so we’re going to be very fired up no matter who we meet in the final,” said striker Landon Donovan
This is a truly historic victory for the U.S. Nobody gave them a chance against the hottest team in the world. Bob Bradley and company executed the perfect game plan—soak up the Spanish pressure and make the most of your counterattacks.
Don’t count them out in the final.
