Most of you reading this probably couldn't care less, but Team USA Soccer just shut out Spain in the FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal. Ever since being in England during the '06 World Cup, I've fallen in love with international soccer.
There are many reasons why this win by the US was huge:
1. After showing a total lack of heart in opening losses to Italy (3-1) and Brazil (3-0), the US needed a miracle just to make the semis. They defeated the African champions Egypt (3-0) while Brazil shut-out Italy by the same score for the US to advance having scored more goals than Italy (you can argue that the tie-breaking process is lame, but it is what it is)
2. Spain is the #1 ranked team in the world. The USA has only won one other match in history against a top-ranked team was 1998 against Brazil. This game ended some huge streaks for Spain: 35-game unbeaten streak (ties a world record), 15-game winning streak (set a new world record), had not given up a goal in the first 3 games of the tournament.
3. USA was out-shot 11-4 by a talented Spanish squad, but made good on its only 2 shots on goal while keeper Tim Howard made 6 spectacular saves for the shut-out, despite being under heavy fire the entire 90 minutes.
Awesome, simply awesome. Team USA advances to its first final in a FIFA tournament ever against the winner of South Africa/Brazil.
USA! USA! USA!
There are many reasons why this win by the US was huge:
1. After showing a total lack of heart in opening losses to Italy (3-1) and Brazil (3-0), the US needed a miracle just to make the semis. They defeated the African champions Egypt (3-0) while Brazil shut-out Italy by the same score for the US to advance having scored more goals than Italy (you can argue that the tie-breaking process is lame, but it is what it is)
2. Spain is the #1 ranked team in the world. The USA has only won one other match in history against a top-ranked team was 1998 against Brazil. This game ended some huge streaks for Spain: 35-game unbeaten streak (ties a world record), 15-game winning streak (set a new world record), had not given up a goal in the first 3 games of the tournament.
3. USA was out-shot 11-4 by a talented Spanish squad, but made good on its only 2 shots on goal while keeper Tim Howard made 6 spectacular saves for the shut-out, despite being under heavy fire the entire 90 minutes.
Awesome, simply awesome. Team USA advances to its first final in a FIFA tournament ever against the winner of South Africa/Brazil.
USA! USA! USA!
- Current Mood:
excited
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active_axon- Kev
Comments
I'm counting down to the World Cup!
They will be crushed by Brazil in the final. Again.
The US overcame some questionable calls to beat Spain, and Beasley has taken his rightful place on the bench. I don't think the US will win (just like I didn't think they'd win today), but it will be a lot closer.