Predicting the result of the semi-final of the Confederations Cup between the United States and Spain–which the US won 2-0–Goal.com associate editor, Shave Evans, also made a promise:
“The U.S. and Spain are set to battle, but for my money, I don’t think it’s going to be much of a competition. Spain is superior on all parts of the pitch and will take the game to Bob Bradley’s man quickly. I can see a small settling in period, but I believe after about 20 minutes or so, the Spanish midfield will take over and make life very hard for the U.S. Because of this, I could see the score ballooning to 2-0 before halftime with a final score or 3-0. If the USA wins, I’ll take up ballet lessons.”
The victory by the United States (ranked 14th by FIFA) over Spain in the Confederations Cup is certainly one of the biggest upsets in recent football history. And you can’t blame some US soccer media for celebrating like they won the World Cup or referencing the Cold War and ice hockey. After all they did beat the world’s number one ranked team–that was poised to make a record unbeaten run (this is the first Spanish defeat since 2006)–in a competitive FIFA tournament.
So how did the Americans pull this one off.
One, for being aggressive out the gate. In the early going, the US made most of the attacking and looked like a different team than the players that lost to Italy and Brazil in the first round. Both Charlie Davies (where did he come from?) and Jozi Altidore made shots on goal. Then Fulham’s Clint Dempsey shot just wide of goal in the 8th minute. As a result when Altidore scored in the 28th minute it did not come as a surprise.
Two, once the US had the lead, they relied on counter-attacking and, crucially, defending that lead. That meant confidently fighting for every ball and closing down space when Spain attacked. Carlos Bocanegra, starting a match for the first time in a while, along with centerbacks Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit, and Jonathan Spector, were excellent. Whenever a Spanish attacker launched a shot at goal, an outstretched leg or head would meet the ball from Xavi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, or David Villa.
Three, Everton’s Tim Howard in goal. This was El Hadary against Italy all over again. Howard must have made about seven or eight saves from Fernando Torres and David Villa.
Four, the coach Bob Bradley (who also saved his job with the last two victories) left DeMarcus Beasley out of the starting line-up or did not even use Beasley off the bench. The winger who hardly plays at his club Glasgow Rangers, has certainly lost a yard or two, easily gives the ball away and hardly finishes his passes giving the ball away, and proved a liability in previous games.
Barack Obama plays basketball and is a fan of the Chicago Bulls. More recently he has taken an interest in soccer. He’s a fan of his daughters’ soccer teams. (That’s him cheering them on at a field in Washington D.C.) Then there’s the story that Obama attended a West Ham game while visiting Britain six years ago. (Enough, by the way for Hammers fans to claim he is a loyal supporter.)
Obama also supports the US bid for the World Cup for 2018 or 2022.
Everybody is linking to this video of a young boy enjoying the Brazil-Italy game on Sunday in Pretoria.
Also on Sunday the US finally showed up against Egypt. Apparently before the match, the president of the United States Soccer Federation, Sunil Gulati, received up to 200 “mostly angry” emails demanding that US coach Bob Bradley be fired. The angry emails might be back Wednesday after night.
[NY Times]
Japanese free kick specialist Shunsuke Nakamura is leaving Celtic in Scotland for Espanyol. (Remember this freekick?)
[The Guardian]
Cote d’Ivorian international, Aruna Dindane, who could be one of the break-out stars of 2010 in South Africa (Cote d’Ivoire is on course to qualify), is leaving French club Lens for Tottenham Hotspurs in London.
[101 Great Goals]
Most African players when they go “overseas” go to Europe, or more recently, to Eastern Europe, Russia or even Asia (especially Southeast Asia). Now more are going to the United States. African representation in Major League Soccer “… has mushroomed since the league’s first season, in 1996. There were between 10 African-born players (in 2003) and 16 (in 1996) for its first 11 seasons; in the last three years, there were 28 (2007), 34 (2008) and 32 (2009).” Some of these players–like Chicago Fire defender Bakary Soumare and Kei Kamara of the Houston Dynamo for Sierra Leone–are even representing their countries in World Cup qualifiers.
[NY Times]
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