In what has to rank as the biggest upset in sports since…Calvin Borel rode Mine That Bird to a Kentucky Derby win at 50-1 odds last month, the much-maligned Americans, who looked terrible just a few days ago in a loss to Brazil, stunned all of soccer by defeating the number one team in the world, Spain, 2-0.
The victory propels them into the Confederation Cup Finals on Sunday against the winner of the other semifinal that pits South Africa against Brazil.
With a combination of brilliant goalkeeping from Tim Howard and goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, the Americans became the first team to defeat Spain since Romania did in November 2006. Spain, the European champion, had set an international record with 15 straight victories and was trying to stretch its unbeaten streak to 36, breaking the mark set by Brazil from December 1993 to January 1996.
The United States had lost its three previous matches against Spain, 3-1 in the first round of the 1950 World Cup, 2-0 in a 1992 exhibition at Valladolid and 1-0 in an exhibition on June 4 last year at Santander, but now find themselves in their first final of a FIFA competition.
While the Americans were boosted by the return of captain Carlos Bocanegra, who had been sidelined since injuring a hamstring during a World Cup qualifier on June 6, they will be without the services of Midfielder Michael Bradley, the son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley, who will miss the final as the result of receiving a red card for a late sliding tackle in the 87th minute.
Should the U.S. team get another chance to face Brazil and win, this author will join a lot of other observers for a feast of humble pie.
wow! what an amazing result. somewhere down the line when they are up against it in the 2010 World Cup, even if they lose Sunday, the Americans will have some confidence to draw from.
Assuming they get past South Africa and reach the finals, how big a story would it be for the US to avenge an earlier defeat by beating Brazil and take it all?
I’m afraid asking the uS to top Brazil in the finalsmight be a bit much. But hey maybe a miracle will happen
gotta believe the US confidence has to be as high as it can get, and they’ll need it against Brazil. Here’s hoping they pull off back-to-back magic.