The three-game round-robin format of the Confederations Cup, like the World Cup, forces soccer fans worldwide to overreact even more than normal. One loss can doom a coach (Lippi?); while one win can restore national pride (Egypt). And all is well, until the next game when fortunes reverse as quickly as a Brazilian counter. Such was the case with the US team.
After beginning the tournament in fine fashion against Italy, the wheels fell off when Ricardo Clark recklessly tackled Gattuso in the 33rd minute. Despite conceding a penalty kick before half time, the Italians controlled the rest of the match and won easily 3-1. Then Brazil completely dominated the Americans, winning 3-0 in a match that more resembled Arsenal vs my Sunday rec team. Make no mistake, the US was awful, and Bob Bradley deserved the criticism. His odd roster selections backfired (Beasley, Kljestan), and the team played with no sense of pride or urgency.
To his credit, Bob Bradley rallied the troops. Unlike his predecessors, who regularly trotted out the scrubs for Game 3 of big tourneys (WC '06, '98), Bradley stuck with his A-squad, inserting Ricardo Clark and Charlie Davies in place of the aforementioned "odd roster selections." I doubt the US considered actual advancement prior to the game. They just wanted a result... wanted to prove to the world (and, especially, the critical fans at home) that they belonged. Well, they proved it.
Soccer games are often boring affairs, with staunch defenses crippling every attack. This game was the opposite. Both teams attacked relentlessly from the onset. Egypt took advantage of Clint Dempsey's poor marking in midfield and forced fullback Jonathan Spector to routinely save the day. They managed a couple crosses that Onyewu and Demerit cleared out of danger. About 15 minutes into the match, the US began to take control. Dempsey sprung Charlie Davies with a pinpoint through-ball that forced a fine save by the Egypt keeper. Then Donovan burst down the left flank, beating the defense. One-on-one with the keeper, Donovan decided to cross the ball to no one. Bad decision, but he would make up for it later. In the 21st minute, Altidore collected a throw-in deep in the corner. He beat his man and sent a low cross into the box. Charlie Davies charged, but the keeper beat him to the ball. In a strange twist, an Egyptian defender accidentally tipped the ball out of the keeper's hands, and Davies, in the middle of the scrum, pounced on the ball, shielded his man, and kicked the ball off the keeper and into the net.
Yes, it was lucky, but I don't want to diminish Charlie Davies' effort. He earned that goal by charging the ball and causing havoc. In hockey, they'd call that a goal-scorer's goal.
The keeper, shamed and bleeding, lay prostrate on the pitch for about 5 minutes.
The US continued to pressure. Donovan played just brilliantly in the midfield, springing Davies and Altidore on numerous occassions. Egypt, as well, came close in the 1st half, with a long range effort grazing the crossbar. Nevertheless, US keeper Brad Guzan was not severely tested in the first 45. After the break, Egypt seemed less energetic, and the US capitalized. Around the 50th minute, the US strung together a series of passes (in a display normally reserved for games against Concacaf) and found Altidore alone near the penalty marker. Jozie's low, hard shot was cleared off the line by a defender's thigh and forearm. Jozie pleaded with the ref for a penalty shot, to no avail. In the 63rd minute, Donovan took an outlet pass from the D and hit Bradley at midfield. Bradley rushed toward goal and passed back to Donovan near the 18. Donovan quickly passed back to Bradley who slotted it home. Just a fantastic goal that had me (despite my sleeping wife in the next room) screaming for joy.
In order to advance, the US needed to win their game by 3 goals, and they needed Brazil to beat Italy by the same margin. The US players learned at halftime that Brazil was beating Italy 3-0. They started to believe.
In a strange move, Bradley took out Altidore in the 69th minute and inserted Benny Feilhaber. Altidore had been extremely effective. Dempsey, with his poor defense, seemed a more logical sub, but Dempsey stayed in and moved up top. Two minutes later, Jonathan Spector dribbled down the right flank and sent a swerving cross into the box. Dempsey outleapt his defender and headed the ball into the net. Dempsey, and the team, went nuts.
Sometimes the stars align. The US defense held strong for the rest of the match, save for one Eygpt header that sailed over the goal. In shocking fashion. both the US and Brazil won 3-0, which put the US in 2nd place and, more importantly, into the semifinals to face Spain. While I criticized Bob Bradley severely after the last match, all his moves worked wonderfully. Donovan, who I felt played well in the previous two games, proved again how effective he can be out of the midfield. Jozy, Charlie Davies, and Michael Bradley, all under 23, gave the US fans a reason to feel optimistic. Perhaps the future isn't so bleak. We all have a reason to smile... at least until the next game.
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