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USA stuns top-ranked Spain, 2-0

Jozy Altidore 8 (ISIphotos.com) 

                                                                             Photo by ISIphotos.com

Spain hadn't lost in 35 games, and had only tasted victory for 15 straight matches. Considered the unquestioned best team in the world, the Spanish national team was supposed to steamroll a U.S. team that barely reached the Confederations Cup semifinal.

Nobody told the United States.

The Americans delivered one of the best, most complete and gutsiest performance in American soccer history, scoring goals in each half to upset Spain, 2-0, to earn an improbable place in the Confederations Cup final.

Jozy Altidore scored in the 27th minute off a pass from Clint Dempsey, who wrapped up the victory with a 74th minute finish to send the United States to the final and drop Spain into the tournament's third-place match.

Yes, you just read all that, and no, it's not April Fool's Day.

Combining timely finishing and composed and tough defending, the Americans frustrated the normally dazzling Spain, which had no answers in suffering its first loss since 2006.

The U.S. team put together one of the best defensive performances in national team history, with Tim Howard making clutch saves, Oguchi Onyewu winning everything in the air and Jay DeMerit keeping pressure on the nine-figure strike force of David Villa and Fernando Torres.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley started Howard in goal and Carlos Bocanegra at left back, but the rest of the team is the same squad that beat Egypt. They delivered yet another strong showing, repaying their coach's confidence.

U.S. stars Landon Donovan joined Dempsey in delivering a top-class performance, providing help defensively as well as pressuring Spain's defense.

Now the U.S. national team will play in the Confederations Cup final on Sunday against the winner of South Africa-Brazil.

What did you think of today's victory? What players impressed you the most? Are you still in shock? Think the Americans will bring home the trophy?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Stoked for the win. Gritty performance, tough defense, and a shocking win.

    That said, I STILL have some tactical complaints with Bradley and the coaching staff:

    A. When our team was severely dragging in terms of fitness level starting around the 55th-60th minute, why did it take so long to put in the first sub?

    B. Conor Casey should not have come on.

    C. Why didn’t we make a sub at 1/2time and put Dempsey up top immediately? It is also CLEAR that Dempsey can’t last longer than 75 minutes.

    D. I’m a proponent of rewarding the guys on the bench, even if that means putting them in with minutes to go. I was disappointed we didn’t use all our subs even in games where the outcome was well decided in advance (our 2 losses). Reward these guys; give them something to tell their grandchildren.

    Props to the staff for finding the new starting back 4: Gooch, Spector, DeMerit, and Carlos the Captain.

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  2. Fantastic performance. I had to watch the game on DVR after a very long day at work. I’m really proud of the team. Just amazing stuff. Nice thing is Howard is the oldest guy starting at 30. Young team, so this experience is invaluable. I’d also like to think this team learned something about confidence. They looked like they thought they could win, so I hope they can bottle this for the game at Azteca and beyond.

    Not surprised that most of the Bradley haters haven’t chimed in.

    I’m not one to pick on people, but those who think Bradley, his coaching staff or his players take these boards seriously and actually get ideas on formations, tactics or who to start really don’t understand sports. I’m glad you guys feel like you made a difference, but if Bradley too cues from us, the team would be a hot mess.

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  3. I just finishing watching the replay becuase I had to go into work a couple minutes into the second half. Even with phone calls and texts telling me the score and what happened I was still shocked that Spain did not score a least once. What a game.

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  4. I told my wife, “just wait and see the referee give an American an idiotic red card before the game ends” and bang, two minutes later. Doesn’t it trouble anyone that besides being a team that plays hard referees are just way too hard on the team? I mean just look at every important game we play in big tournaments!

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  5. What can be said about this that hasn’t already been said? Simply a great result. And…we get to face Brazil again. You can’t buy experience like these games is giving the boys.

    BTW ‘Clueless’ did BB pick on you in school or something? Give it up and move on. Your comments show no class on a day like today.

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