Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images
It is hard to imagine the US playing better than it did against Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinal. We all knew it would take 100% commitment to compete with the heavily favored, unfairly talented Spain team that had not lost in 35 matches and 100% commitment is what we got. Pictured above, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey scored goals on each side of half-time to propel the US to the first final of a major competition open to the world’s best. In post-match posts I typically rate the performances of players and personnel or tactical moves of the manager. For every player who played, 1-14, I only have the highest respect and praise for what they accomplished. This is the team we love to love, why we are fanatics. I’ll let the headlines from around the world (most via the USMNT blog) tell the rest of the story.
From Spain
Marca
“Humble Pie” (print version)
http://www.marca.com/multimedia/primeras/09/06/0625.html
“The Yankees bring us down from the clouds”
no link available
“Shipwreck on the United States Coast” (online version)
http://www.marca.com/marcador/futbol/2009/copa_confederaciones/semifinal/spa_usa/
El Pais
“The Party’s Over”
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/Fin/fiesta/elpepudep/20090624elpepudep_10/Tes
El Mundo
“The U.S. Destroys the Spanish legend”
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2009/06/24/futbol/1245862885.html
“Yes They Can!” (headline in English)
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/especiales/2008/08/liga/blogs/elcortadordecesped.html
From Around the World….
La Cronica (Mexico)
“Made In USA” (headline in English)
http://www.cronica.com.mx/especial.php?id_nota=441076&id_tema=1284
Gazeta (Brazil)
“The Miracle Workers from the U.S. Appear Once Again and Eliminate ‘The Fury’”
http://www.gazetaesportiva.net/nota/2009/06/24/585569.html
L’Equipe (France)
“The American Dream”
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2009/20090624_231919_le-reve-americain.html
Sky Sports (England)
“USA Stuns Spain to Make Final”
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3152727,00.html
Clarin (Argentina)
“The United States Shocks the World of Football and Takes Down Spain”
http://www.clarin.com/diario/2009/06/24/um/m-01945348.htm
The New York Times
“US Victory Was a Miracle on Grass”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/sports/soccer/25vecsey1.html?_r=1
My only harsh words come for the a-hole referee who sent off Michael Bradley for one foul with less than five minutes remaining; that’s right, it was his only freaking foul of the game. There was no call for the red card. The Spaniards and Americans alike were shocked. It means Bradley will again miss the final match for the US in a huge tournament. In the Gold Cup he was rightfully ejected in the dying moments for a nasty tackle against Julian DeGuzman. In the Olympics he appeared to intentionally get a second caution when qualification for the second round was all but solidified before Holland scored in the final moments of the game. Bradley has been awesome all tournament. He will be hugely missed against Brazil on Sunday.
