Charlie KleinESPN anchor Reece Davis commented before the game that John and Kate (of John and Kate Plus 8) had a better chance of writing a guide to marriage book than the United States had of advancing to the semifinals. He will now have to eat his words as the US National team defeated Egypt 3-0 advancing to the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. The US' Confederations Cup hopes appeared to be in Elysium, already dead. They needed to defeat Egypt by three goals and to have Brasil repeat that same feat versus Italy. The improbable nature of events today is due to the fact that the United States had only scored one goal in two games and had given up six. Italy, known for its masterful defensive displays of days gone by, were not likely to concede three goals to anyone. Moreover, Egypt, coming off an emotional 1 to nil victory over the Azzuri looked to be too much for the United States to handle. If Egypt managed to shut out a team with Andrea Pirlo, Luca Toni, Vincenzo Iaquinta & Co. how could the United States score not one, but THREE goals?
As it turns out, the Americans had one resilient and cagey performance left in their locker, and unleashed it against the Pharoahs of Egypt. Charlie Davies gave the US a one to nil lead after a bit of bumbling around in the box by Egypt Davies applied all his grit and forced the ball into the back of the net. At this point the Italy Brasil match was still nodded at zero and did not give the impression that many goals would be scored. Then in the space of eight minutes the scene changed dramatically as Brasil put three goals past Gianluigi Buffon and made their lead stand. Meanwhile in Rustenberg the United States was battling on, and manager Bob Bradley's son gave his father the best Father's Day present by putting the US up two to nil. Clint Dempsey then added the United States' third goal eight minutes later to put the tie beyond doubt.
The United States now improbably enter the semifinals of the confederations cup and will face the number one team in the world Spain on Wednesday. Not many, if any, will fancy the United States' chances against La Roja but the United States were only narrowly defeated by Spain in a friendly. Even if they lose on Wednesday, the national team has shown the grit and determination that empitomise the people of its home nation. How much more could one ask?
I think one could ask for a lot more. One good game out of what, the last 5 or so? Although I'll say Italy was a wash given the Clark red and the way the team fatigued in the second half.
ReplyDeletebut honestly, the effort was there against egypt but in general it hasn't been, nor has, unfortunately the skill, teamwork, and understanding of a top 20 ranked international side. the spain game should say a lot about this team and if they are competitive and can attack from the run of play then there may be hope, but I don't think any facet of this side's game is up the international standard. Onyewu is inconsistent and we have issues at fullback. Michael Bradley has developed leaps and bounds but has no viable partner, beasley is out of form and maybe past it, dempsey can't replicate his fulham form for the national team (and looks dejected every time he plays for us), our best striker is a teenager who doesn't even play regularly for a second division spanish side, and we probably don't have a viable formation against any really competitive sides.
the pluses i take from this tournament so far are that the teams we lost to were brazil and italy (how we lost to them was most concerning), the fact that donovan has (to me) had a pretty stellar tournament (aside from the lack of killer instinct in front of goal, although altidore has fluffed some chances he has created), the play of spector at right back (promising if inconsistent), and most of all the development of michael bradley into a two-way, tough tackling, goal-scoring beast.
this team might be able to show signs of life in WC 2010 but it needs a lot more out of its more experienced players and there are a lot of spots right now that just don't have the depth or competition that are required. the question is, who is out there to step up in the next year and who is going to be a leader to amp this team up and get them to play with the desire and love for the game that made the 2002 team play well above their level of technical ability. even then, US fans shouldn't have any illusions about this team's capabilities and we should look for success in the progress and development of the next generation rather than enjoying delusions of being able to win it all.
-Chris P.
wow thanks chris. would you like to post on here from time to time? also, how did the game today move you?
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