After a dismal start to the Confederations Cup, the United States soccer team needed some serious inspiration from God to help them change their spiritless ways. Their prayers were answered as they battled to beat the world’s #1 ranked team Spain 2-0 in South Africa! The United States are in the final of the Confederations Cup. Wow!
Just a few days ago this team played some horrendous football. They were truly awful. No guts. No fight. No nothing. Last night the transformation was undeniable. They grafted, they worked as a team, they took their chances and they defended like gladiators. Spain were denied over and over. Stars and stripes were flying in front of every ball. They were inspired.
Men’s U.S. Soccer was back. The players played like men. They challenged some of the world’s best and came out victorious. The spirit was back. Ah that American spirit. The soccer world witnessed a heart and soul performance.
Now can the U.S. team go one better and beat Brazil? If so, does this give the U.S. a fighting chance in the World Cup? Should Coach Bradley stay on as manager and lead this team to the World Cup? Who would you make as captain of the U.S. team? Was this a fluke?
The U.S. absolutely need to beat Brazil in the final for their victory over Spain to matter. If they don’t, it will simply be another “close but no cigar” effort by the U.S.. As for how this will effect their chances for the World Cup? Well, I don’t think it will make too much of a difference. Spain clearly thought the U.S. would be a cakewalk and weren’t prepared. They played a bit sloppy, but I can’t see this happening in the World Cup. Obviously, the U.S. will be playing with confidence but that will only get you so far. I’m sure the U.S. will do fine in their group and maybe surprise a team or two along the way, but will they win? No. Will they come close? No.
They missed a great chance last night. I agree that a victory against Brazil would have solidified the win against Spain as a legitimate one. It’s a shame it’s not a game of one half! The US were superb for 45 minutes. But Brazil were relentless. It was one wave of attack after another. Eventually it paid off.
The problem I have with the US team is there are no answers on the bench when it’s going wrong on the pitch. And the coach seems to stick with the same faces and sometimes it needs something a little bit different. But does he have the players to make those changes? It’s a bit thin for him when it comes to choice.
They definitely wasted a good opportunity. The second US goal was an absolute beauty. I stood and cheered when that went in. One of the best US goals I’ve seen. The perfect breakaway goal. It just wasn’t enough though.
I think the US needs some work before the World Cup. Hopefully some players will emerge and evolve before next Summer. And the coach needs to look at his formations and tactics. They sat way way too deep against Brazil and seemed to be satisfied with 2 goals. They can pass it around but they give the ball away too cheaply. Possession of the ball is a huge problem for the US team. They need to find players that can hold the ball and dictate the game a little more.
They should be proud. They weren’t at their best and they made it to the Confederations Cup Final and beat the #1 ranked team in the world in addition to almost beating the Kings of football, Brazil…
I know I said that the victory over Spain will be worthless if they didn’t win it all, but I think I was wrong. I think even in losing to Brazil the U.S. team learned a lot about who they are and what more they need.
I agree that they didn’t seem to make enough adjustments during the game, but clearly their depth is the issue. Hopefully, they’ll address that a bit before the World Cup.
The next few months are going to be crucial for the psyche of the U.S. soccer team. They need to beat Mexico in Mexico and win the Gold Cup. If they’re able to play like the team that beat Spain and nearly beat Brazil, they should make quite a splash in the World Cup next year.
One more thing…that second goal the U.S. scored was one of the most beautiful goals I’ve ever seen. The passing and execution was quite amazing.
It was a beautiful goal Bananafish!!! It will all mean nothing if they don’t beat Mexico in that World Cup qualifying game. You are right about the importance of that and how they need to build on what they’ve just achieved.
The Gold Cup will be interesting as not all the veteran players are going. Unless that changes. But it will be good to see who is on the bubble and who might grab a last minute deal on the plane to South Africa!
American fans should be well proud this July 4! So far, it’s been a pretty good summer for US soccer.