FanIQ News: Team USA beats Spain 2-0 in Confederations Cup semi-final to advance to championship game

1	Spain had a large lead in possession 54%+ to 45%+.....USA has almost perfected that rope-a-dope counter attacking style. Jozey FREAKING Altidore is on of the best in the world with his back to the goal.

6/24/09

Doyle_Hargraves

1	Americaaa, F Yeah! Enough with the red cards. The international refs are terrible.

6/24/09

soxfan90

0	ONE DAY this team will get there...

6/24/09

LakerMike

3

(Edited by LakerMike)

Wow, this is a GREAT WIN for the U.S.!!! We really played smart, basically mistake-free and kept just-enough offensive pressure on them to keep them back on their toes. Landon, Dempsey, Altidore played EXCELLENT and Tim Howard was OUTSTANDING! Feels great as a huge soccer fan to see this victory, still can't believe it!

This is a little like the U.S. losing to Greece in the '06 Men's Basketball World Championships - but in reverse. Look what we've done to Spain in the last year, first we beat Spain in men's basketball at the Olympics last year, now we keep them from advancing to the championship game in soccer. We also broke their current wining-streak, which was a FIBA record! Spain is going to have U.S.A. flashbacks for the next decade! GREAT WIN USA!!!!!! Now one more win and we take it all!

GO USA!!!!!

6/24/09

0	Can somebody who lives and dies with the US soccer team tell me: How badly will they miss Bradley? Who is likely to replace him in the FINAL?

6/24/09

Pat

2	MarkTheShark wrote: Can somebody who lives and dies with the US soccer team tell me: How badly will they miss Bradley? Who is likely to replace him in the FINAL? Anyone who lives and dies with the US soccer team has already used up their 9 lives, and won't be coming back.

6/24/09

100%InjuryRate

2	MarkTheShark wrote: Can somebody who lives and dies with the US soccer team tell me: How badly will they miss Bradley? Who is likely to replace him in the FINAL? He's the coach's son, so odds are pretty good that whoever replaces him will be 10 times better.

6/24/09

SFJayhawk

2

Great job by team USA!!!! The defense looked a lot better than last week...what a difference a week makes! People were asking for Bradley's resignation last week and now he just bought himself a reprieve until 2010. Tim Howard was absolutely solid between the pipes and DeMerit and Onyewu were strong on the back line. The US definitely needs to strengthen its midfield play in their defensive half of the field. Landon Donovan was running his butt off all day, but the transition to the forwards was lacking in the second half. I think the second most exciting news about today is the fact that Brian McBride is thinking about coming out of retirement. We could really use his height up front, especially off of set pieces. Altidore and Davies are nice up front, but their lack of height creates a less dimensional team. Prior to the Eqypt game, the US was not scoring at all during the flow of play and this is one reason. The loss of Bradley is big...he has been one of our most consistent goal scorers.

Anyway...congrats USA...welcome Brian McBride and I will see you all in South Africa in 12 months! I have my tickets and am looking forward to drinking a Castle and watching Sam's Army march to Jo'burg!!!!

P.S. Go to Wakamee in Cape Town for pre-game... good sushi, great drinks and a nice vibe.

6/24/09

0

SFJayhawk wrote:

Great job by team USA!!!! The defense looked a lot better than last week...what a difference a week makes! People were asking for Bradley's resignation last week and now he just bought himself a reprieve until 2010. Tim Howard was absolutely solid between the pipes and DeMerit and Onyewu were strong on the back line. The US definitely needs to strengthen its midfield play in their defensive half of the field. Landon Donovan was running his butt off all day, but the transition to the forwards was lacking in the second half. I think the second most exciting news about today is the fact that Brian McBride is thinking about coming out of retirement. We could really use his height up front, especially off of set pieces. Altidore and Davies are nice up front, but their lack of height creates a less dimensional team. Prior to the Eqypt game, the US was not scoring at all during the flow of play and this is one reason. The loss of Bradley is big...he has been one of our most consistent goal scorers.

Anyway...congrats USA...welcome Brian McBride and I will see you all in South Africa in 12 months! I have my tickets and am looking forward to drinking a Castle and watching Sam's Army march to Jo'burg!!!!

P.S. Go to Wakamee in Cape Town for pre-game... good sushi, great drinks and a nice vibe.

I'm super jealous..I would love to be in South Africa next year.

6/24/09

Skarbux

1	It's friggin awesome that USA won. After the first two losses I was really starting to worry about the World Cup next year. My faith has been restored and then some.

6/24/09

1

claudiomota3 wrote:

this is unbelievable. probably the Best USA soccer win ever

It is great, but I'd have to disagree.

First, the USA beat England 1-0 in 1950 which is considered by most soccer "experts" to be not only the biggest USA win of all time but also the biggest upset in the *history* of international soccer.

But for my money, the USA beating Mexico in the knockout round of World Cup 2002 is the biggest win for the US in recent history. I say that because:

#1 it was in the World Cup, which by default makes it a bigger game than the Confederations Cup.
#2 it was over arch rival, Mexico, which makes it super special.

But this game today and the US 1-0 win over Brazil in the championship game of the Gold Cup a few years back are both huge wins, no doubt.

For the record, the US is now 2-9-1 all time vs the #1 ranked team in the world.

Go USA!

6/24/09

Scott

3	MarkTheShark wrote: Can somebody who lives and dies with the US soccer team tell me: How badly will they miss Bradley? Who is likely to replace him in the FINAL? If I'm Coach Bradley, I start Feilhaber in the middle with Bornstein and move Dempsey up to the front in place of Charlie Davies, especially if they have to face Brazil.

6/24/09

2

MarkTheShark wrote:

Can somebody who lives and dies with the US soccer team tell me: How badly will they miss Bradley? Who is likely to replace him in the FINAL?

As someone who lives and dies with US soccer, losing Bradley will hurt. He's a legitimate pro star in Europe, he scores a lot of goals from his central midfield position and he's really the glue that holds the midfield together. The ball goes through him, a lot, to get to the front to guys like Altidore, Donovan, etc.

The last time Bradley missed a game was against Honduras and he was replaced by Ricardo Clark, who's not terrible but he (or any of the likely replacements) can't possess the ball in the midfield the way Bradley can.

Some other guys besides Clark who might replace Bradley are Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, or Sacha Kljestan. Those guys all have their good and bad points, and I won't bore you with them here.

But I'd really like to see Coach Bradley go with Jose Francisco Torres. This kid has shown flashes of brillance and if he gets to see the pitch more he's only going to get better. He's one of the most gifted players the US has had in a long time, and the US is lucky he chose to play here instead of playing for Mexico. He'd be starting for Mexico right now.

6/24/09

4

100%InjuryRate wrote:

He's the coach's son, so odds are pretty good that whoever replaces him will be 10 times better.

Dude, most of the time I really find your posts either informative or funny but this post either comes from total ignorance about Bradley or it is a lame joke.

Michael Bradley isn't just one of the best players for the US, he's a top pro player in Europe.

He turned pro at 16. In January '06 he became the youngest MLS player ever to be sold when he was transferred to Heerenveen for millions of dollars. He took over as the starter at center midfield in his 2nd year and he scored 20 goals (leading the team) in the 07-08 season.

In January '08 he broke the record for most goals scored in a season by an American born player in a European first division league.

In August '08 he signed a four year deal with Borussia Monchengladback in the Bundesliga for a crap ton of cash. Bundesliga is the highest level of soccer in Germany, so it's a very tough pro league. And Bradley already has 5 goals for his new team even though he's spent a lot of time away from them, playing for the US.

Bradley is great already and may go down as the greatest American born player to play in Europe, ever, by the time he's finished.

6/24/09

2

Scott wrote:

If I'm Coach Bradley, I start Feilhaber in the middle with Bornstein and move Dempsey up to the front in place of Charlie Davies, especially if they have to face Brazil.

You'd rather see Feilhaber than Torres? Personally, I'd like to see what Torres can do if he has a chance to play a full game and show his stuff against a quality opponent like Brazil.

That said, I do like Feilhaber too. I'll never forget that goal he had against Mexico to win the Gold Cup a few years back. Awesome.

6/24/09

Scott

2

BluDevil wrote:

You'd rather see Feilhaber than Torres? Personally, I'd like to see what Torres can do if he has a chance to play a full game and show his stuff against a quality opponent like Brazil.

That said, I do like Feilhaber too. I'll never forget that goal he had against Mexico to win the Gold Cup a few years back. Awesome.

I'd rather see what Torres can do too but he hasnt played at all in the Confederation Cup. Why would he suddenly get a chance to play in the championship game?

6/24/09

1	This USA team is sooooo lucky. They had it easy only having to only beat Eygpt. Sure it's a big win but we owe it to Capdevilla and Ramos. I just hope that they r this lucky in the World Cup.

6/24/09

PresEmart

2	YEAH THATS RIGHT. USA ALL THE WAY

6/24/09

streetballer123

1	U.S.A

6/24/09

1

burritoman24 wrote:

This USA team is sooooo lucky. They had it easy only having to only beat Eygpt. Sure it's a big win but we owe it to Capdevilla and Ramos. I just hope that they r this lucky in the World Cup.

Luck ..after snapping a 35 match win streak?! The way Casillas played I'd say Spain has been lucky to WIN 35 matches. He sucks. Xavi did NOTHING! Villa did NOTHING! Well, hope to see Greece next year...will you still be here on the Q?...Because Greece ain't got nothing for the US.

6/24/09

1

Scott wrote:

I'd rather see what Torres can do too but he hasnt played at all in the Confederation Cup. Why would he suddenly get a chance to play in the championship game?

Because there is an open spot now with Bradley out and because if they play Brazil he might have the creativity and skill that other choices lack.

Honestly, the US is playing with house money now so why not take a chance and see what Torres can do? I think it would be a good move.

6/24/09

1

burritoman24 wrote:

This USA team is sooooo lucky. They had it easy only having to only beat Eygpt. Sure it's a big win but we owe it to Capdevilla and Ramos. I just hope that they r this lucky in the World Cup.

Like mom used to say, sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. No matter what, the US still won, luck or not.

The US has had it's fair share of bad luck, and bad breaks, in previous games. This is karma, now that the luck is turning back in the US favor.

6/24/09

celticfc411

1	Had stuff with the military all day, so I was only getting periodic updates. When I logged onto a computer to check the final score I was blown away. One of the all time greatest wins for that team. They need to bottle that attitude and passion and heart and desire and keep using it

6/24/09

1

(Edited by burritoman24)
MarkTheShark wrote:

Luck ..after snapping a 35 match win streak?! The way Casillas played I'd say Spain has been lucky to WIN 35 matches. He sucks. Xavi did NOTHING! Villa did NOTHING! Well, hope to see Greece next year...will you still be here on the Q?...Because Greece ain't got nothing for the US.

I never said theat those guys played good like they did for the past 35 games and Casilas is the best keeper in the world.And if Greece played the US they would win by 3 goals because they actually play and beat good teams unlike the US who was to play Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago to qualify.

6/24/09

0	Well if it is karma than the World Cup isnt going to be fun for the US. Idk if u can get lucky twice on a stage like this.

6/24/09

0

burritoman24 wrote:

I never said theat those guys played good like they did for the past 35 games and Casilas is the best keeper in the world.And if Greece played the US they would win by 3 goals because they actually play and beat good teams unlike the US who was to play Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago to qualify.

Yeah because MOLDOVA, LUXEMBOURG and LATVIA are so awesome!!....lol Whatever dude

6/24/09

0

burritoman24 wrote:

I never said theat those guys played good like they did for the past 35 games and Casilas is the best keeper in the world.And if Greece played the US they would win by 3 goals because they actually play and beat good teams unlike the US who was to play Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago to qualify.

The best keeper in the world!!?? But yet the US was lucky??...Which is it? Can't be both.

6/24/09

djclemson

1	I got home as the second half was starting, did not sit until it was over! USA USA USA

6/24/09

MCnine

1	anybody know any good soccer sites? I'm just wondering what people outside of the USA are saying about our win today...

6/25/09

anton0589

1	(Edited by anton0589) wow, what an unbelievable game..... i am so excited for the team .... this is going to be a great year for USA....

6/25/09

jess_tee

0	i just can't believe it....maybe this would start the spark of football in the U.S.

6/25/09

hassan_dib2003

1	I LOve Brazilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll And every Yellowwwwwwwwwwwwww

6/25/09

json_yunk

1	brazill the best...

6/25/09

yruwet2

0	USA USA USA USA USA USA

6/25/09

TheRoss

1	I don't follow soccer, but I am always happy to see the USAdo well in any sport, especially one that is so respected in International circles.

6/25/09

Reef PIE

3	I was screaming in joy here at work yesterday....had my US hat on (from the World Baseball Classics) reppin all the way.....I won a good amount of money (oh I mean points) from co-workers here

6/25/09

wesley2200

0

I got to watch the replay of this game last night, ohh man the announcers were hilarious!
the entire time “ohhh they aren’t going to be able to hold on to this lead with the way they are playing” Spain is posed to rip off 5 goals and any moment. They bad mouth UAs all the way up until the last 15 mins when the realized that we were going to win and then shifted gears and started complaining that Spain dominated this entire game but couldn’t come up with the plays!

6/25/09

redsoxroxmysox2

1

That wuz the best game ever besides the 200i8 uefa cup finals with those pks. Dempsys goal as chep but jozy altidores was awsome!!! I luv him as a USA player i can tell u that he has a very bright future in soccer nationaly and with his club team. I am thinking of going pro when i get the chance and i just recintly played with a guys team and scored 4 goals the whole tournement and lead them to their first championship there. But he has a bright future and that was the worst upset in soccer ever!!!!!!

6/25/09

ColbertLover

2	Go USA

6/25/09

0	MarkTheShark wrote: The best keeper in the world!!?? But yet the US was lucky??...Which is it? Can't be both. All im gonna says is Euro Cup 2004 buddy. Lets see USA beat Portugal twice in Portugal, France and the Czech Republic in a tournament. Once the US does that than come talk to me about Greek soccer.

6/25/09

3	burritoman24 wrote: All im gonna says is Euro Cup 2004 buddy. Lets see USA beat Portugal twice in Portugal, France and the Czech Republic in a tournament. Once the US does that than come talk to me about Greek soccer. Just two years prior the US beat Portugal in the WORLD CUP...you know that tournament that Greece has NEVER scored a goal in....

6/25/09

3	MarkTheShark wrote: Just two years prior the US beat Portugal in the WORLD CUP...you know that tournament that Greece has NEVER scored a goal in.... BUUUURRRRNNNNNN!!!!!!!

6/25/09

aos035

2	claudiomota3 wrote: this is unbelievable. probably the Best USA soccer win ever What about 1950, USA 1 England 0. It is considered the biggest upset ever.

6/25/09

aos035

1

burritoman24 wrote:

All im gonna says is Euro Cup 2004 buddy. Lets see USA beat Portugal twice in Portugal, France and the Czech Republic in a tournament. Once the US does that than come talk to me about Greek soccer.

We had 2 shots {they both looked lucky to me}.Both looked like our guys broke past . And we took 6 shots. Howard {the keeper} is unbelievable. We won because of him. Maybe we did get lucky.

6/25/09

0	MarkTheShark wrote: Just two years prior the US beat Portugal in the WORLD CUP...you know that tournament that Greece has NEVER scored a goal in.... US beat them once and not in Portugal. Its totally different and Ronaldo wasn't even on that team.

6/25/09