The U.S. national team takes on African champions Egypt in its final group game (and likely final match) of the 2009 Confederations Cup (2:30 pm, ESPN2).
The Americans are playing for pride after two losses, while Egypt is still trying to qualify for the semifinals, which it can do with a victory and Italy tie or loss.
I will be providing commentary throughout the match so please feel free to follow along, and as always, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (USA lineup after the jump):
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FINAL– That's it for me. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this match, and the U.S. team's improbable move into the Confederations Cup semifinals, in the comments section below.
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FINAL– Charlie Davies started things with his goal, then Michael Bradley finished the second, and Dempsey headed home the game-winner as the Americans do the impossible, or at least what was considered impossible. Just wow.
USA vs. Spain on Wednesday. Yes, Spain is the best team in the world, but the fact is the americans will be there to face them while teams like Egypt and Italy, yes Italy, are home.
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FINAL– USA 3, EGYPT 0. USA IS IN THE SEMIFINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW. Just a beautiful effort, team effort, they showed heart, fight, skill and kept on battling.
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93rd – Time is running out.
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92nd minute– Two minutes to go.
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90th minute– Three minutes of stoppage. Egypt pressing.
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FINAL– Brazil beats Italy 3-0, it's up to the USA now.
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90th minute– WOW, header from Egypt goes over the bar. WOW.
Casey cleared the corner before that. Done well so far.
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89th minute– Egypt corner
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88th minute– Can't be much stoppage in this game.
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88th minute– Three minutes of stoppage in the Brazil-Italy game.
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87th minute– Dempsey finding some enery late in this match. He's come to life since moving up top.
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86th minute– Can anybody remember the last USA game that was this intense?
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85th minute– This U.S. lineup looks good for the purpose, which is to keep possession. Casey hasn't done badly since coming in.
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84th minute– Brazil is still pressing for a fourth goal so they're not making it easy for Italy.
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82nd minute– Davies is coming out for Casey. He has to be gassed after running all day. Casey needs to hold the ball up and keep the ball.
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81st minute– Conor Casey is coming in. He had better show more defensive effort today than he did vs. Brazil.
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80th minute– Guzan catches an Egypt cross. Americans can't give the ball away cheaply here.
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80th minute– Ten more minutes. U.S. needs to keep the ball and take some pressure off the defense.
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78th minute– How much would U.S. fans love Brazil if they can hold on to that lead?
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76th minute– Does Bradley make another sub or should he stick with this group? At this point I think you stay with this group.
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75th minute– Egypt is pushing hard here for a goal. Corner kick. Onyewu heads it away.
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73rd minute– Feilhaber with a shot. Will the Americans find another goal? Egypt looks very tired and its defense is a mess.
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72nd minute– USA is in the semis if these results hold. UNbelievable.
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71st minute- GOAL USA!!!!!!!!!! And it's Clint Dempsey with the header WOWWWWWW. Spector GREaT BALL, Dempsey, GREaT FINISH. USA 3, Egypt 0.
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70th minute– What needs to be realized is that Altidore's fitness is not 90 minutes fit. He's just back from toe surgery so playing in these highly-competitive matches makes it tough for him to last more than 70 minutes.
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69th minute– Feilhaber for Altidore, look for Dempsey to move up top.
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68th minute– Some better stuff from Altidore there in the area. This tournament has been great experience for him.
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67th minute– U.S. team needs to realize that Egypt's defense is very vulnerable now and ball movement will create chances. Passing, not long shots, will make the difference.
Benny Feilhaber is coming in.
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66th minute– Dempsey with a forced shot from distance and Egpyt nearly gets on the counter, still alive.
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64th minute– SAVE GUZAN. Shot right at him.
USA needs one more goal to advance, assuming Italy doesn't score vs. Brazil.
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63rd minute- GOAL USA!!!!!!!!!! And it's Michael Bradley, what a great sequence between he and Donovan and a wonderful finish. USA 2, Egypt 0.
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62nd minute– So many balls in to Altidore are turning into turnovers because he's just not positioning himself well. You can see why people say he's just not a true target striker.
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61st minute– Egypt about to use its third sub with 30 minutes to go.
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60th minute– At what point does Egypt realize it advances with this result and stops attacking so much?
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58th minute– DeMerit with a crunchlng challenge. Nice tackle. Egypt is getting beat up.
Egypt corner.
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57th minute– U.S. needs to stay organized. They're getting a little stretched chasing goals.
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56th minute– SAVE El Hadary!! He stones Bradley again. Great chance from the arc from Bradley but he can't beat El Hadary, who has been a monster in goal.
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53rd minute– And here I thought they were using video replay at this tournament. It sure has seemed like it before today.
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52nd minute– Blown call. Yes, the ball played the hand but you CANNOT have your arm that high in the goal. Handball. Bad missed call.
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51st minute– Americans with a WIDE OPEN LOOK but Altidore's shot hits an Egypt defender. Was that a handball?
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49th minute– Bradley with a yellow card for a late challenge.
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46th minute– We're back.
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HALFTIME– As someone who has lobbied for Davies to get more minutes for some time, you can count me as impressed but not surprised by his play today. He's looking very good as a speedy second forward option and should see more playing time in World Cup qualifying.
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HALFTIME– Tell you what, after watching Brazil torch Italy, the USA's loss to Brazil isn't looking so bad.
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HALFTIME– For those of you who haven't seen the Italy-Brazil highlights, Brazil's third goal started when Kaka stripped Giuseppe Rossi and started a counter that resulted in an own goal by Dossena.
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HALFTIME– What can Bob Bradley do at halftime? Replace Dempsey with Jose Francisco Torres is the one move that stands out. Dempsey started well, but quickly began to fade and struggled the last 25 minutes. There are chances to be had and the Americans need to start finishing some if they want to pull off a miracle trip to the Confederations Cup semifinals. Brazil has done its part, opening a 3-0 halftime lead on Italy. Now it's up to the USA to do its part.
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HALFTIME– Only four minutes of stoppage? Surprising. USA 1, Egypt 0. Americans were unlucky no to add a second and may regret that in the second half.
Egypt is shaken, and while they are still creating some opportunities, their defense looks very vulnerable.
Most importantly, it has been a VERY good effort from the Americans today. Michael Bradley has been a beast, Charlie Davies speed has caused problems and Landon Donovan has been dangerous, although he let some chances go that he should have taken.
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49th minute– Americans are finding some great space behind the Egypt midfield. Egypt gets caught on the counter stretched, and the USA is finding the space.
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48th minute– Don't know about this ref today. He's missing some calls.
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47th minute– Dempsey with another turnover.
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46th minute– Bradley with a GREAT long ball to spring Davies on the break, but his shot is stopped and the rebound isn't controlled.
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45th minute– Don't worry folks, the half is far from over. We'll get at least seven minutes of stoppage time.
Brazil 3, Italy 0. There's hope USA.
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44th minute– Another Egypt dive results in a free kick.
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43rd minute– Brazi is up 2-0, do the Americans have some hope of advancing? They'll need a few more goals before they can think about that.
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42nd minute– Egypt comes on the counter but Onyewu heads a cross out of danger. Egypt will keep finding chances. Will the Americans keep finding chances?
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41st minute– Egypt is finding all sorts of space on the wings. Bornstein needs to get better positioning. He keeps getting caught out. U.S. centerbacks are putting out a lot of fires.
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39th minute– Egypt knicks the crossbar from distance. U.S. team needs to close down Egypt's attackers faster.
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38th minute– Yellow card on Spector. Definitely a foul, not really a yellow.
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37th minute– Why is Dempsey trying to dribble near his own box? He's played well today, but that was a bad play.
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34th minute– Egypt showing some frustration. Americans much steadier in defense.
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32nd minute– Wasted free kicks/corners is definitely a drinking game today.
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31st minute– SAVE GUZAN. A nice Egypt sequence results in a decent but not hard shot that Guzan gets to.
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30th minute– Egypt has looked a bit stunned today. Not playing like we saw them play in their first two matches.
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29th minute– Great run from Donovan through the Egypt defense but El Hadary runs out and gets to the ball, winning the challenge. Nice run from Donovan.
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27th minute– The game has resumed after El Hadary got treated for the cut in his head.
Americans have shown great heart today, and much more effort than they have since the first half of the Italy game.
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25th minute– Altidore with a great turn and cross that el Hadary was getting to before his own defender kicked him in the head. Davies pounces on the loose ball and hits it off the Egypt keeper's face. Great play by the young American strikers.
El Hadary looks to be getting stitches now.
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21st minute- GOAL USa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie Davies with a great effort to keep a ball alive and finishing. WOW.
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20th minute– Good stuff from DeMerit. His stock has certainly gone up this tournament.
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19th minute– Some better activity from the U.S. team. Dempsey is showing much more energy.
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17th minute– Altidore must have thought Donovan was going to shoot and went looking to set up for a rebound. Donovan has to shoot there.
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15th minute– DONOVAN gets in on goal, but instead of shooting he lays it off and nobody makes the run. Altidore cut off his run.
Great long pass from Dempsey on that play.
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14th minute– Bradley looks good early on. He's ready to have a game. Will the same be said of Dempsey and Co.?
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13th minute– Egypt with a great chance in front of goal, but nobody can put a dangerous chance on net. USA got lucky there.
GREAT SHOT BY BRaDLEY, but saved by El hadary.
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12th minute– Egypt with a free kick chance.
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11th minute– Altidore has made some bad passes early. He's got to be more careful because Egypt can break on the counter so quickly.
Altidore lays off a good pass on a break, much better.
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9th minute– U.S. offense still isn't clicking early. Defense has allowed a few looks but nothing really bad.
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7th minute– Donovan's corner is snatched and El Hadary hurls a long pass to Aboutrika. The pass is too long, but a dangerous counter possibility for Egypt.
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6th minute– Wasted free kicks/corners is definitely a drinking game today.
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6th minute– Dempsey's long-range effort doesn't test the keeper.
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5th minute– Altidore draws the foul, setting up a free kick from 40 yards out.
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3rd minute– Abdelghani with an early chance from 18 yards out but he sends it high. Can't give them those chances.
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2nd minute– Looking forward to see how Davies' speed up top helps test Egypt's back-line.
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1st minute– We are underway.
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PRE-GAME– Aboutrika/Abo Terika is the key for Egypt. Clark and Bradley MUST shackle the playmaking star.
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PRE-GAME– Here is Egypt's lineup:
———-Abdelghani—–Ahmed Eid————
——————–Aboutrika———————
Abd Rabbou———Shawky———–Al Mihamadi
Farag—-Gomaa———–Said———Ahmed Fathi
——————–El Hadary—————————
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PRE-GAME– Will we see Jose Francisco Torres in the second half? Here's hoping we do because I happen to think he can make an impact. No, I'm not in the Freddy Adu camp, but do look forward to seeing him start in the Gold Cup.
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PRE-GAME– It will be interesting to see what Guzan will do. Count me as disappointed that Howard isn't in goal against a dangerous Egypt attack. Egypt has El Hadary in goal, who has been arguably the goalkeeper of the tournament.
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PRE-GAME- By the way, are there really still U.S. fans who don't think Egypt is a good team, and a win against Egypt wouldn't be an accomplishment? They haven't won the past two African Nations Cup titles and didn't just score three goals on Brazil and beat Italy by pure luck.
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PRE-GAME- USA fans will be happy to hear that Egypt's lineup is missing star striker Zidan, who limped off against Italy. That means no Mido, Zaki or Zidan. Does that mean Egypt isn't dangerous? They still have Aboutrika, a dangerous midfielder/ forward who Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark will have to contain in order to keep Egypt honest.
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PRE-GAME– Will Clint Dempsey step up (and wake up)? Will Ricardo Clark be smarter about his tackles? Will Jozy Altidore respond well to having Charlie Davies playing alongside him?
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PRE-GAME- Count my among the surprised to A) See Clint Dempsey starting, B) Not seeing Jose Torres get a look, and C) Guzan starting. I can understand the Guzan move because you do want him to get some experience, but the same can be said for Torres. It's good to see Charlie Davies getting a start today.
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PRE-GAME- Here is the USA lineup:
——–Altidore———-Davies————
Donovan————————–Dempsey
————Bradley—–Clark—————
Bornstein–DeMerit—Onyewu——Spector
——————-Guzan———————
Amazing result.
Italy is a mess. Even their victory over the US was a mess. And Egypt literally fell to pieces (injury).
The US played better no doubt. But I am still not sold on Bradley. Dempsey did redeem by being on the end of a great cross (ie he better not miss a sitter like that) but he really had no business being on the field after min 60. And Casey? That sub was typical bob bradley. Worthless. Yes, he held the ball 2x and cleared one header. His touch is a nightmare and he’s lazy.
Why does it take BB at least 3 games after most people have clearly seen the writing on the wall to try it. Spector, DMB, Sascha, Demerit, Davies, (Torres and/or Adu?)
“FCB, how does the scoreline flatter us?”
chg, the egyptians were clearly tired from their first 2 matches becaused they actually played football. I’m still not sure what we were doing.
but…..but…..but….but….
You can say that for every match for every squad in the world. Are you telling me no one on Brazil turned the ball over or was lazy on defense.
As for Beasley and Kleistjan. They are out of form, but are good players They may work their way back on to the Nats. I just think it classless to bash these guys. Short memory I guess.
Bob Bradley does not deserve to be fired. I do not agree with all of the players he selects but he has done a good job through qualifying. Dempsey did not defend today but had a great goal and played some nice balls in. Davies hustled well, great effort on the goal but has trouble holding the ball up and the decision to shoot from a hard angle when Josy was wide open in front of the goal shows he has a long way to go. Donovon played well but did not pull the trigger a couple of times. On his pass to noone in front of the goal, Josy was not at fault for holding the run. We should all know that you do not pass if a player is not asking for the ball with his run. Guzan, Spector, Demerit and Gooch had good games. Borenstein OK I guess just not as good as the rest. Bradley, and Clarke played well, with a lot of grit and determination. I would like to Torres and Adu get more minutes, nad I think the gold cup is where it should start. I do not begrudge Bradley for not playing Adu because he is not getting minutes with his club and he is immature in his play yet. He does possess abilities that we need in our squad but he has to prove himself in club and hopefully in the gold cup. Torres is playing for his club and I can see more of an argument for him getting time. I hope he will have the chance to prove himself in the gold cup. Bob Bradley, like him or not just got us through one tough group to the semi-finals of the Confederations cup. A great accomplishment if you ask me.
So we beat our record of getting out of group play with 4 points and got out of group play with 3 points and suddenly all our problems are solved?
We did improve on concentration in the early moments and not give up a goal, a good thing. Also showed more heart, and played with more confidence(perhaps because we had little to lose).
Still Demps gave up the ball in bad positions too much, and that can cost us.
The pairing of Altidore and Davies looked OK in this game, but Altidore still looks out of shape and gives away balls he should hold onto(1st touch).
Yes, I’m happy we won and get to play another game that should help us, if only by giving us at least one more game at the European speed of play. Then everybody can go back to their club seasons/preseason training/Gold Cup and see what happens when we go to Azteca.
But remember that qualifying is a long process, and many things can happen. Injuries, cards, problems at the club level, fatigue from so many games, and even fortunate early goals or referee decisions either way can change things for good or bad.
For example, think what an injury to Donovan, or a double yellow for complaining, could do to this team.
Of course, I thought Boca’s injury was going to hurt worse, but Demerit has played pretty well overall.
Oh, and off the subject a bit “colmillo” in Spanish can mean cunning or cleverness. As in dropping a throwin off to 3 different players to waste time, diving convincingly(US players, please don’t) faking injury to throw the other teams rhythm off, that sort of thing.
I jumped up and down and screamed when we won. Right on!!!!
slymer, “Hey Gary! Yes lets get crushed by Spain so everyone can come in here and bash Bob Bradley and call Kliestjan and Beasley garbage.”
The removal of Beasley and Kljestan had a bigger impact on today’s result and the team’s play than any other factor. It was a huge unnecessary weight removed from their shoulders.
Great game
Hey Gary! Yes lets get crushed by Spain so everyone can come in here and bash Bob Bradley and call Kliestjan and Beasley garbage. Life will be normal once again…..
USA 1 Spain 0 Count it!
I don’t understand all this talk about how (and I paraphrase), “We’re not really that good” or “I hope Spain exposes us for what we really are: crap.”
Do you or do you not support the United States? If so, aren’t you happy to get results? Oh yes, I totally get it, you want the whole program to improve, and play at level “X” the same as team “Y” blah blah blah. But isn’t real time results against tough opponents equally important?
This result is AWESOME. Period. Did we limp into the semis? Hell yes we did! We “limped” in because we played decently against Italy but not great, and absolute crap against Brazil. But we played GREAT today against Egypt (still a very quality side in my opinion, better than Costa Rica, Honduras etc. in my opinion). We showed character and determination, something I honestly thought we didn’t have in us.
What’s my point? We’re advancing in an international tournament to play Spain, the best team in the world. How freaking awesome is that?!???! Come USA supporters. Recognize this for what it is. A lucky fluke maybe, but definitely an awesome achievement for us regardless! And we get to play the best team in the world on the international stage with everyone watching, and I hope we show up and play well. Why? ‘Cause that’s what you DO at tournaments, or should do, and that’s what it’s about.
Do I care if we’re at X or Y level yet? Hell no, if we’re testing ourselves and playing with heart and passion and getting RESULTS like todays, then I’m the happiest for the team I have ever been. COME ON YOU NATS!
I don’t know why but I kinda wanna see this:
———————–Altidore————-
——————–Dempsey—————–
Donovan——————————Bradley
—————Clark——-Torres———–
Bornstein—–DeMerit—–Onyewu—–Spector
———————Howard—————–
Aww, no hyperlinks?
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/reported-burglary-of-egyptian-players-turns-tawdry/
Oooooh, naughty, naughty Egyptians!
Ricardo Clark is a quality player that made one lapse in judgement..in my opinion he is a strong midfielder who just needs to work on his touch to become a little more controlled in the midfield..
Squad that started this match should start vs Spain cept for Guzan who is replaced by Howard
All I want to see is Spain absolutely CRUSH us. I want us to be exposed for what we really are: posers who have no idea how to play this game and occasionally get lucky with good results.
Until we can consistently be competitive with the world class teams, we suck.
People, it’s the only way we can make progress here! We need to completely rethink our approach to the game, and begin to select the talented players. And this all begins at the youth levels. We need foreigners at the highest levels of US soccer making decisions and putting us on the right path. Right now we have clueless american donkeys!
Please Spain … please beat the living crap out of us!!!
still pinching myself…can’t wait for Spain…and a little ha ha to Giussepi Rossi…celebrating against the nation of your birth can get you in the end.
Today was a wonderful day for a dual-citizenship Brazilian-American like me! 🙂
Just finally got a chance to watch the game after full media blackout…
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHHHHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!
EAT CROW DOUBTERS!
USA!!!
wow didnt think we had a chance
Just finished watching the game…..
Incredible 🙂
All I want to see with the USA against Spain is that we make a game of it, and play well. That is all I have wanted to see this whole tournament, and we finally got some of that today against Egypt. The 1st two games were still bad. So which US team will we see on Wednesday? Will Torres or Adu get a chance?
Michael Bradley said. “All the f—— experts in America, everybody who thinks they know about soccer, they can all look at the score tonight and let’s see what they have to say now. Nobody has any respect for what we do, for what goes on on the inside, so let them all talk now.”
I say “enough with the armchair coaching”. Go back to your plumbing jobs. Thank you!
Hahaha I am really getting a good laugh at all you doom and gloomers and BB haters. How ironic that it was none other than the tied washed up “exhausted” Dempsey that scores the winner and actually pushed the USA through to meet Spain??? Granted I too wanted to see Demsey rested when I saw Feilhaber coming in.but BB realized Dempsey up front just may provide the spark we needed and Feilhaber WILL track back and play D something we all know Dempsey was not doing. Turns out to be a brilliant move or I guess you are going to say lucky..? Bottom line BB is the coach get used to it,he’s not perfect but he knows his limitations.So playing the speedy Charlie Davies was the correct move. . Look at Italy’s coach..talk about problems? True I too wanted to see both Adu and Torres play for their creativity BUT I also believe in “Different horses for Different Courses” and Egypt was a tough strong physical team so we needed a horse like Rico or Jermain Jones (later in 09 hopefully?) in the mid field NOT a small Torres or Adu. My guess the Gold Cup will be their turn to shine?
So on we go no doubt will come undone by Spain but at least we can now hold our head up a little?
Coach K
If you’re interested in an in-depth look at the U.S’s performance against Egypt, check out my Web site: intelligentsoccer.com.
Rico was motivated today because______
a. Bradley lit a fire under his ass
b. Is afraid of losing PT to J. Jones
c. Is afraid of Losing PT to J. Jones
d. B and C
Sorry…you can shine a pretty old penny to new condition but the value of the penny remain.
Great inspired ball by the U.S. And with respect to Bradley…even a blind squirrel gets a nut. This guy is here to uphold the status quo. He makes ill-advised lineup changes and does not know how to use his player pool efectively in the same process destroying losing the confidence of his own players. He has been embarassing the past 2 months.
I dont like to see people lose thier jobs…but lets face it people dont get fired…they fire themselves.
What’s hilarious is all these people coming out of the woodwork talking like Bradley is some kind of genius because we fluked our way into the semis. Not trying to take anything away from the guys on the field, they played with great heart and determination. But suddenly Bradley’s a genius because Brazil put the wood to Italy and his lineup was able to beat an Egypt team sans their best player?
I still think Dempsey should sit–he’s just physically burned out right now. He converted that goal b/c Spector’s service was a thing of beauty.
That said, shrewd move by Bradley subbing Feilhaber in for Altidore and moving Dempsey up top.
Can’t say I was impressed by Colin Clarke. He’s just too slow at this level, and couldn’t hold possession as a result. I understand that he’s a big target, but he’s not gonna make anybody forget Ching. Neither Clarke nor Frankencooper is fast enough to play at this level.
Gary,
10 days ago I would have thought that lineup would be retarded. But, I looked at it and think it would bring speed, excitement and the X-Factor we tend to need to win these matches.
Michael Bradley gets the dumbass quote of the day “All of the critics in America who said we were no good after losing to Italy and Brazil, let’s see what they say now,”
I’ll tell you what I say, you sucked for two games and embarassed yourselves and got lucky that brazil destroyed italy. You still sucked, and im afraid that will be evident against Spain.
Guys deserve all the praises in the world and huge thanks to Brazil.
Still: BB should go. Our guys’ success today does not cancel tactical and personnel mistakes. Italy’s lousy form doesn’t absolve our mistakes.
Italy, fire Lippi – we’ll take him!
FCB, how does the scoreline flatter us? The US was denied a PK after an obvious Egyptian handball on the line. Given the great opportunities we were generating 11 v 11, a neutral observer would suspect we’d win by a greater margin if the ref did his job and RC’ed the Egyptian player.
Aside from that, the US still dominated the game. Had Egypt converted their one good chance on the header over the bar in the 90th minute, the margin would not have reflected the US dominance today. Egypt sucked, but lets give some credit to the US for making them look so bad. Italy and Brazil couldn’t do it.
We played Italy and Brazil in the same time frame, and we did it a man down for over half the games.
Italy scored zero goals in 11 v 11 play. Maybe Rossi should be glad his adopted side drew one of the weakest qualifying groups in UEFA.
Hey Everyone,
I think it has been nearly half an hour so let me make sure we hold true to Our quota:
Enjoy your summer, Rossi…. D*ckhead.
-FCB:
100% agreed!!!
Mark- Thanks for the well thought out and rational response. I am not a Bradley fan but it has more to do with the USSF as a whole then Bradley individually.
That being said all your other points are correct and valid.They do need this exposure vs. top flight comp. regarless of the results.
I also forgot to mention above that Guzan looked excellent today . But as to starting him in front of Howard……..I don’t see any of the goals vs. Brazil and Italy being his fault so why would you keep him on the bench.
To ALL- for one day it is better to a U.S. fan then a Italian one. If my italian was a little better I would love to read their newspapers tomorrow. It should be harsh and ugly.
Still need to fire BB
Honestly, ya’ll are hilarious. BB just gets the team to the semi’s, and you’re still attacking him. Cry all you want, but his subs got a 3-0 result. You should read back to all the bitching about Dempsey, and then the goal. Pretty funny stuff.
Bradley got it done, even though you might disagree with how he got it done.
Have a little to everyone who wanted Bradley fired…They sound like a bunch of Red Bull fans…
WOW, never in a million years!!!
Congratulations USA. The guys player with heart and desire…well, except for Duece at times.
Gooch has really punched himself a nice ticket in the EPL. Specter is quality.
Donovan was a CAPTAIN today. Kudos to all.
Its days like this that reinforces my belief that we will be a world power in the coming years. Great day for all USA fans.
People, we beat the 40th ranked team in the world which had just come off 2 very hard games against Brazil and Italy in quick succession. ……………….
I still haven’t seen us play a well devised, solidly executed game against a higher-ranked opponent since the last time we played Spain.
FCB
______________
FCB,
FIFA rankings mean nothing. The US also played the same two teams that Egypt just played in the same amount of time. Egypt played and looked a lot better than the USMNT did against those two teams.
So in real time terms, that makes Egypt a “better” or “higher ranked” team in my book.
If that logic means nothing to you then wait until Wednesday; you will have plenty to either bitch about or… to bitch about since the USMNT can do no right in your book.
AWESOME result!!!
We only lost 1-0 in Spain against what really amounts to their current squad. We could upset. We could beat their streak. We could do it.
In the words of G:
“Believe”
P.S. F**k you Rossi. You’re NOT welcome back in “our” country. Stay in Italy.
Hey does anyone remember that “Kiv” guy who told that Egypt would destroy us when Ives posted up the article showing Egypt’s roster? The self proclaimed “student of the game” said it was only a matter of time. Where are you now Kiv?
Given how good Dempsey looked at forward (and how bad he looked in the midfield), and how much we are going to need in the engine room against Spain, I like a:
Altidore Dempsey
Donovan
Clark Bradley Feilhaber
B’stein Gooch Demerit Spector
Leaves a lot of space on the wings, but I’m more worried about teh spanish dancing through the center of midfield.
Anybody interested in contributing to a fund to buy two tickets for the semi-final match so Giuseppe Rossi and his Dad can WATCH the USMNT play Spain?
Fantastic!!!
I can’t believe we’re through!!!
HOW DOES IT FEEL GIUSEPPE??!!
How good were our CB’s today? Wow. Davies was great. And big ups to TOM for the Wayne Fontes comparison hahaha…
I can’t believe the negativity here. If you can’t thoroughly enjoy our win and our incredible luck today, then you need to find another hobby. As an old medical school professor of mine liked to say, “Don’t bother questioning something if it works.”
I was a US expat living in Spain for awhile, and I usually route for the Spaniards when the US isn’t involved, but I hope to God we break their hearts on Wednesday. 1-1 tie, we win in a shootout when David Villa clanks a must-have off the crossbar. Really, our advancing to even play Spain was more unlikely than that acutally happening, right?
Thought I’d never say it, but.. God is Great!!
AllÄhu Akbar, الله أكبر.
@FCB
You could also choose to look at the game in this way. The US came off two tough games against Italy and Brazil. However improbable, the team had something to play for and went out and held up their end of the bargain rather than mailing it in. To me, that’s executing the game plan. If you read the quotes from Donovan and Bradley pre-game, they prepared to win this game and tried and get the goals needed to do their part. Brazil certainly helped out by thumping Italy, but we executed our gameplan.
I’d also argue, that we were doing quite well against Italy before the red card. Quite the opposite against Brazil, as they jumped on us quickly and the game was over within 20 minutes.
johnny boy,
Dempsey does have that ability for moments of brilliance, but they are too far in between for Bradley to allow him to suck up and down the field for all but one play in the game.
He’s shown the ability to play great for 90 minutes at Fulham, why he has never done that for the US is a mystery to me, and he needs to do better. He needs to be benched, I just hope it works to light a fire under him