Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Final: USA 2, Spain 0

The U.S. has shocked Spain, 2-0, to advance to the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Jozy Altidore (27th) and Clint Dempsey (74th) provided the goals.

Notable streaks for Spain that ended: A FIFA-record 15 consecutive victories, 35-consecutive games unbeaten (tying Brazil's record) and 451 minutes with allowing a goal.

We'll of course have all the reaction, photos, videos and more here and at ussoccer.com ... but until then, what do you think?

78 comments:

Dr. Phil said...

THANK YOU!!!!!

Terrence said...

=)

That's it, just =)

Chris said...

I was worried there toward the end of the first half and second half as I thought we sat back too much and relied on long balls considering how effectively we attacked the first 30 minutes of the game.

With that said, TREMENDOUS effort defensively, especially by Gooch and Landon Donovan.

LD - Thank you for easily the most consistent and positive effort by any of our players throughout the entire course of this tournament.

Well done, boys.

Go USA!

Kate said...

I'm so proud to be a USA fan today!!!! Thanks Guys!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!!

Mr. Fahrenbach said...

USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ESTADOS UNIDOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julio said...

Congratulations to all the players...Well done.

B.Bradley good job, Mis Felicitaciones!!

Jeff said...

YES!!!!!!!! USAAAA~!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!

Rosie said...

i think.....

THAT'S WHAT SPAIN & THE WORLD GETS FOR UNDERESTIMATING THE US!



woooot wooot :]

Unknown said...

Congratulations to every single US Soccer player, coach, staff, and importantly, all the FANS! We ALL Deserve this, lets Enjoy it! (and get ready for Sunday, of course)

Anonymous said...

I hope you contest Bradley's red card!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations to every single US Soccer player, coach, staff, and importantly, all the FANS! We ALL Deserve this, lets Enjoy it! (and get ready for Sunday, of course)

‎Tom Brand said...

DIVING! SLIDING! HEADING! AND JUST PLAIN OLE AMERICAN SCRAPPING! This is WORLD history for MNT folks! I couldn't be more proud to be an American Soccer Fan than I am today!

Unknown said...

AWESOME!!!

Maybe we can get some payback against Brazil in the final. That would be SWEET!

I feel bad for Michael though. That was in no means a straight red...yellow...maybe. But not a red.

#$%@ ref.

USfanCA said...

The US played an unbelievable game, all the blocked shots, tight marking on defense and excellent execution. Great goals from Altodore & Dempsey! The red card on Bradley should've been a yellow.

TJX said...

Bradley is going to stay forever now....


Now, HOLY CRAP WHAT A WIN!!! Well deserved victory. And to be honest, this game was won not on the goals scored but by Onyewu, DeMerit, and Howard. Those guys should get more credit than they deserve.


It may only be the Confederations Cup but it's still a big victory and maybe, just maybe, they'll win it all.

BRING ON BRAZIL/SOUTH AFRICA!!


Tough luck to Liverpool, who lose again (Riera, Arbeloa, Torres, Xabi Alonso) when it matters!



I want to point out how much of a hard-on ESPN has for Landon Donovan. Particularly John Harkes. Why are we marketing him as the next big thing? He passes in his own half and Harkes gets turned on like it's porn. Maybe it's me but I think he's overrated and gets way more credit than the men who do the dirty work like the above mentioned.


I enjoyed the game and result but not the commentary. A shame this team is pulling out an upset like this with shameful "analysis" by Harkes.

cm2_one said...

Great game guys.Way to represent the red white and blue. Loved the way yall through your bodies in front of i dont know how many shots. Played with heart. keep it up. I cant stop smiling. GOOD JOB!!

Eric Beard said...

AMAZING performance from all the lads. Well DUG IN. Bob needs to appeal that red card immediately, it was a disgraceful call. We'll need Michael to hold up Felipe Melo in the FINAL(!). Unbelievable. Nothing I can say but well done guys, you're one game away from forever progressing US soccer.

Unknown said...

I agree Rocket. That red card was absolutely insane. The only negative on an otherwise amazing game. I can't believe we were able to hold on. It's nice to have two capable center backs.

cb3fan said...

I Knew We COULD BEAT SPAIN! that's what I told everyone here! They didn't belive me! Way To Go Guys! So Happy That Your Back Carlos! You Were FANTASTIC!!! So was Jay, Gooch , Clint, Rico, Landon, Jozy, All you guys!! Thanks so much for the WIN!!! We can do the samething Sunday!!! GO U.S.A.!!!!!!!
Lets Hear It For The BOYS !!
Let's Give The Boys A Hand!!!!

Shad said...

WOW!!!!!! I can live with the results when you play with the passion and give the effort you did today. Much Love and Respect to BB and the USMNT.... Well done Boys.... Whether you recover for Sunday or not, I was very proud to be a fan today....

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS YOU GUYS!!!!!!!

THANK YOU.
That was a great game from start to finish. This is our USMNT that we are use to watching play. We have shown the world that we can beat Fifa's #1 ranked team.Maybe now they will learn to respect you guys even more. LOVE IT! Again AWESOME!!!

Greg Seltzer said...

Terrific effort sustained over the full 90 minutes. Kudos all around!

Unknown said...

We were watching the game on ESPN360 at work, and you guys made soccer converts here. We LOVED watching this game.

Defense was SUPERB, but we still managed to attack dangerously as well. Our touch is muuuuch better than it was during the Brazil game.

You guys played like you belonged there with spain. We are so proud of you!!

MC said...

time to celebrate with copious amounts of wine.

think altidore will get some first team attention this fall?

Gabe said...

!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh & BTW the ref was whack in handing out the red card to Michael. WTF is there any way that can be contested (prob not) but still, he needs training on how to be a better ref imo.

Fox River Times said...

Awesome preformance by all the US players!!! You guys deserved it. Thanks 4 making me proud! VIVA USA! VIVA USA!

Shmails said...

Way to go boys!!! Too much to say, so I will just say USA!!!USA!!!

Unknown said...

In shock!!! What a win! Very proud fan!

TCamp13 said...

That is what i am talking about man my work productivity sucked today. was way too worried about this game. CLINT AND JOZY YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

Jaideep said...

Way to go Bob Bradley for sticking to his guns... Maybe people shouldn't be so reactionary next time... BTW, no team that has won the confederations cup has ever won the world cup... so a loss against Brazil ain't so bad eh? Let them take the curse... or South Africa...

Unknown said...

I'm sooooo excited!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Unfreakingbelieavable! Wow. Just wow. I'll shut up about the coach now.

mcadaal said...

Amazing. Dempsey stepped up his game. Bocanegra coming in at LB was the best Move by Coach Bradley this tournament! May be the best win the U.S has ever had in 50+ years!!! This is going down in HISTORY!!!!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Cnote said...

Great game, but since when is it a straight Red if you actually play the ball?

Unknown said...

This is fantastic for the USA squad. This will definitely boost their morale by a ton. I think Spain definitely underestimeted USA's defense and I think it came back to haunt them.

U-S-A! U-S-A! la laa la laa la!

Let's go F*ing MENTAL! Let's go F*ing MENTAL! la la la la laa!

Anonymous said...

great win by the U.S, got them at 9/1 in the bookies in Ireland

Anonymous said...

great stuff U.S watched it in Ireland and put a few euros on at 9/1....roll on Brazil

Kathryn said...

WOW! That was Amazing! not just 1-0: 2-0 against #1 Spain... Miracle on grass... a total team effort- and Landon played with control and finesse- he was MVP as far as I'm concerned- although, Timmy was great too! Wow! Just incredible!

Jason Gatties said...

GREAT WIN BOYS!!!

Very proud today...very proud.

Now lets take home the trophy Sunday.

Kevin said...

This is one of the biggest wins in US soccer history and I am so happy to have witnessed it.

You boys played your hearts out and deserve the win.

I can't wait until the final!!!! THE FINAL!!!!!!!!

jerraine said...

What a win!! Well done! Next stop... beating Brazil!! :)

Eric Deuel said...

VERY HAPPY DAY!! THANKS!!!!!!

Unknown said...

I agree. The last time I checked when you play the ball on time, and low, AND ACTUALLY HIT THE BALL. It's not even a foul, none the less a red card.

Unknown said...

Donovan, Demeritt, GOOCH, and Howard were brilliant the entire game. I'd be shocked if all three aren't signing new deals with European clubs here very soon.

shannon said...

what amazing heart by all of the guys!!!! thank you so much!!!! i didnt realize how many of my friends actually liked and payed attention to soccer till i saw all of their facebook status. jim rome even gave the team props!!!! what a day!!! and no way in hell was that a red card!!!! they have to rescind it!!! mikey got part of the ball!!!! but my xabi has gotten ppl sent off a lot this season. congrats!!!! soak it up and lets see another miracle on sunday!!!!:)

crashey said...

Pull out your MNT jerseys that have been hidden in the bottom drawer.Columbia, Portugal, forgotten. This is the BEST!

Unknown said...

Unfreakingbelievable!

turntosidetwo said...

Everyone stepped up & played their hearts out. So proud :)
I really hope the defenders & Tim get the recognition they deserve! Landon in midfield always makes such a difference...

Pedro Sampaio said...

YEAH!
HERE WE GO!!

mtgrizzlyfan said...

Thank you Thank you Thank you! for playing with such effort, grit, determination, and will to win. Maybe all the drama after the first two games of the tournament and some mediocre performances in WC qualifiers was overkill, but maybe not. That being said the way you guys (coach, staff, players, trainers, everyone) have answered all the questions raised over the last two games has been tremendous and a true reflection of American spirit. Michael Bradley's red card makes me feel so bad for him. You don't deserve to miss the final. Unfortunately FIFA does not have a history of overturning that kind of thing even if it was a yellow at best (came from the front of his man on a 50-50 and got the ball).

Let me just say it again, Thank you Thank you Thank you for making us all proud to be US fans and making US soccer history!

Francesca said...

Thank you sooo much.

Unknown said...

Well Done USA! ! ! You are AWESOME ! ! ! Coach Bradley, well done. Well done Coach. Excellent changes and moves! Excellent! ! ! Guys, celebrate ! ! ! Thank you for the WIN! ! ! To the team, AWESOME WORK! ! ! SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!! 100% NON-STOP!!! 100% EFFORT!!! ENJOY THE DAY, IT IS YOURS AND OURS!!!!

mtgrizzlyfan said...

Hey I'm dying to see some highlights from the BBC or any other station besides those uninspired boring idiots at ESPN. As soon as someone finds them please post the link!!!

Army of Dad said...

To everyone on the MNT (even you Bob) THANK YOU!!!!

Awesome game, way to work and fight hard all the way to the end.

THIS IS AMERICAN SOCCER!

ps, How fitting is dos a cero?

Anonymous said...

So unbelievably happy right now! Congrats to the Men's team, you guys deserve it!

corky said...

Congratulations! Tremendous. This is a HUGE story on all the sports sites in the US right now.

Unknown said...

I cried for the next 5 minutes after that dempsey finish! Finally, the fire and D that we have been lacking for over a year.

Keep it up, one more until glory!

Unknown said...

YES WE CAN!

byrankoehaler said...

Coming from a big long time critic of BB, i have to say that that was a well coached match. Great tactics, good usage of subs, and the most important thing, and something that I really give Bob respect for, is for being intelligent and brave enough to not put Carlos right back in CB and bench Demerit, instead, reward those playing amazing and let carlos play outside...brilliant job, Demerit is the f#cking man. Our back line was incredible tonight, and Rico slotting in to make some crucial tackles and saves in the box, LD coming back on D and being all over the pitch, even Benny making great tackles and setting up that last goal (and i hate on Benny all the time.)

We just looked quick and more than up to the task, we won second balls, and were the first to many first balls. Such a gritty and heart filled performance. If we can stay with this mentality and heart, there's no stopping us. I think Italy and Brazil was a wake up call, and I think all the criticism and backlash from fans and media alike finally showed them that americans actually care.

Bring on S.AFRICA/BRAZIL!!

oh and my heart goes out to Michael. I hope we can appeal, but regardless, what a great tournament.

Unknown said...

You might want to make a post about the upcoming reply. It's at 11pm Eastern tonight on ESPN2.

This time, I'm going to watch it properly...with a pint...or two (three). Of beer :)

goldenbarrel said...

I went driving around town with my 4' x 6' US Flag screaming and shouting, "USA! USA!"

Let's stay hungry!!!

Spain's cockiness is what was their downfall.

Unknown said...

I'm speechless....great time to be a US fan. michael bradley needs to use his head more at the end of games. OK, it was not a red card but even with a yellow he was out for the next game. he got a yellow against egypt.

U.S. Soccer said...

@jakob - Yellow cards were wiped clean after the group (we originally posted the wrong information before clarrifying).

shubbz said...

Michael! Michael! Michael!! He had a great game and tournament! I wanted to see him the final =( so sad. Stupid Ref, doesnt know what he is doing. If there is anyway we can contest Michael's red card we should- though its probably not possible. Either way the US is bringing the trophy home!! Good job guys! We are all so proud!

TJX said...

Someone was asking for BBC highlights?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol_Z3nM5GIU

MadMexican said...

Way to go guys and that is all we were asking for...HEart, gut, determination and a sense of urgency! Good job and lets prove we can also beat the brasils!!!!! we have done it before! SI SE PUEDE!!!!

Anonymous said...

A few things:

1. The US MUST appeal Michael Bradley's red card, and the Confed. Cup MUST rescind it and allow him to play against Brazil (assuming Brazil beats S. Africa). The US has had several red cards in the tournament, and not ONE of them was the correct call. None of the red cards was even arguable; they were all egregiously bad calls.

Unfortunately, we cannot win without Bradley (against Brazil), so getting the red cad rescinded is out only hope. Without Bradley, we lose. Period. We'd probably lose with him anyway, but without him, we don't even have a CHANCE to win.

2. Coach Bradley deserves a LOT of credit for sticking with Dempsey. Everything Dempsey's done on the field in the tournament, except for his two goals and a very small handful of good shots and passes, has been poor. Way too many giveaways, way too much lackadaisical play, way too much diving. Any other coach would have sat him, but Bradley saw something the rest of us didn't, and for that, Coach B. deserves heaps of credit.

3. As excited as we are about Altidore, we didn't get ninety minutes out of him today. We only got maybe 60. He pooped out VERY early, which is unacceptable, especially for a nineteen-year-old kid. He should be able to run at full sprint for 90 minutes. He has a lot of work to do to improve his fitness. Thankfully, he's a lock to start for the rest of WC qualifying and the rest of the US's matches leading up to next summer.

4. The extraordinary thing about the US's win today is, Spain played terrific. They got all the chances they needed to win, they SHELLED the US, and we still stopped them. The US fully won this game, Spain did not lose it for themselves. They might have made three or four mistakes the entire match, and the US scored on two of them, whereas the US gave up a HUNDRED chances to score, and we defended each and every one of them.

This was, in my estimation, the best defensive effort the US has ever produced. Think about it--Spain hasn't lost since 2006!!!

Unknown said...

dos a cero

Unknown said...

I would say this was a great team effort, but the MVP goes to Oguchi Onyewu, the man is not human.

Scott said...

The effort was fantastic, a great day to be a US fan.

This game also shows all the criticism earlier in the tournament was 100% justified. How can we give effort like this and then the effort we saw in CR and vs Brasil in this tournament.

You proved today you can do it, now bring it every game. US fans are much more knowledgeable than Michael Bradley gives us credit for. We will shut the f*** up when we get efforts like we had today.

Congrats to all involved!

sally.holec said...

You guys were awesome!!! I have never been so proud to be a fan of the US Men's National Team as I am today.

Congratulations and good luck in the final. You can do it. You gotta believe!!

Again, I'm so proud of you guys!
Thank you.

PeteKALIK said...

Anyone else notice that the USA is +5 with Ricardo Clark on the field, -5 without him?

I loved Jozy's goal. He threw down that Spanish defender like he was a little (profanity).

Does this count as a Dos a Cero game? :)

Anonymous said...

Still in heaven man I love the beautiful game!

David Gimeno i Ayuso said...

It's always great to see Spain bites the dust. Congratulations from Catalonia, the next state in Europe!

Dave said...

Out of this world result. Great job guys! That was a lot of hard work and focus!

shubbz said...

Okay here's a video of Michaels red card.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbteeRuMFBE

gkinmd said...

Amazing performance. Where has this team been for the last two years? Let us never again settle for a mediocre performance. I am most curious to see how they follow up, not necessarily in the finals, but when it's back to qualifying play in a couple weeks. If they continue to play like this against concacaf opponents, and not play down and lack the toughness they showed yesterday, than i'll start to truly believe in CHANGE.