Pre-Game Primer - Some Highlights

For the full pre-game press notes, click here

Some highlights:

• Jonathan Spector and Jay DeMerit have stepped in to start and play 90 minutes in three straight games for a total of 270 minutes each. For Spector, that’s more minutes than he played for the U.S. from June 13, 2007, until the start of the Confederations Cup, and for DeMerit that’s more minutes than he played from June 29, 2007, until facing Italy on June 15.
• Spector’s assist on Clint Dempsey’s goal was his first career point for the U.S.
• The Euro 2008 champions are on a rarely seen form that has led to a record 15-consecutive victories and 35-straight matches unbeaten. The 15 victories date since their 0-0 draw with Italy in the Euro 2008 final, which was decided 4-2 in penalty kicks. Spain’s last loss was on Nov. 15, 2006, falling to Romania in a friendly
• Dempsey’s goal against Egypt was the 14th of his career, moving him into sole possession of ninth place on the all-time scoring list for the U.S., passing Marcelo Balboa and Hugo Perez, and one behind Cobi Jones in eighth place. Dempsey also moved into a tie with Perez in 11th all-time with 34 points, one ahead of Clint Mathis.
• Donovan is the leading capwinner on the roster with 113 appearances, passing longtime U.S. captain Claudio Reyna to move into fourth place on the all-time list. The USA’s all-time leader in goals (40) and assists (37) has one of each at the Confederations Cup, with his penalty kick goal against Italy being the deciding factor in U.S. advancement to the semifinals.
• As the top team in the world, Spain’s roster of 23 players includes 22 who closed out their 2008-09 season with clubs that qualified for either UEFA Champions League or Europa League, and four from Champions League title holders Barcelona