The US’s improbable journey to the Confederations Cup Final ended with the US on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline. The US players looked devastated after the loss but I think they will look back on this game as real triumph for US soccer. The US stood toe to toe against the best team in the world and almost came away with a victory. The Brazilians proved to have too much class and put away 3 goals in the second half.
Both teams made no changes from the teams that won their respective semi final matches. The US were a handful early, pressing hard and fast and not letting Brazil get into a rhythm. The US took the lead in just the 9th minute. Spector hit a beautiful cross to Clint Dempsey waiting in the box. Dempsey redirected the ball past Julio Cesar for an unlikely lead. Brazil attacked relentlessly but the US defensive formation held firm. In the 26th minute the US found the net again. Donovan intercepted a poor Robinho pass and sprung Davies up the left. Donovan ran tirelessly down the middle of the field for Davies return pass at the top of the box. Donovan cut inside to his left and fired the ball home. It was Donovan’s first goal from open play in a while. The US defense held strong for the next twenty minutes and went into the half with a 2-0 lead.
The second half started with no changes being made on either side but the similarity in the halves would end there. Brazil came out in the first minute and found a goal of a brilliant turn from Luis Fabiano. With the lead cut in half Brazil began to work their magic. This is where Brazil’s superior coaching and playing experience gave them control of the game. The answer to unlocking the US’s defense was actually quite simple, even though the Spaniards could not figure it out. The trick was to give the US space and let them play. Brazil backed off, pulled the US out from the back and found a ton of holes. Pretty simple and that is why Brazil is the best in the world.
With more space to play the US abandoned the 9 men in the box counter attacking system. Now the Brazilians were only facing 5 defenders. The US got lucky in the 62nd minute when a Kaka header barely crossed the goal line but was deemed not a goal after Howard swatted it out. In the 72nd minute Kaka came down storming down the left side beating Spector and putting in a low driven cross to Robinho. Robinho hit the bar but Fabiano was there to head the rebound home for the tieing goal. Ten minutes later Brazil sealed the deal off an Elano corner kick that found Lucio for the game winning goal. Lucio out jumped Dempsey and powered a header into the back of the net. Onyewu almost got things level again when he met a Donovan corner in the 88th minute, but his effort would go over the crossbar.
The game ended 3-2 and the Brazilians were very emotional about the win. The game demonstrated the US at it’s best and it’s worst, but the team never looked like it didn’t belong. As much as I hate the bunkering down counter attack system it was necessary when you play a team with the skill and experience of Brazil. In the end, heart alone cannot win a tournament but it is the foundation to greatness. All the skill in the world without the desire to fight is worthless and, as the US demonstarted against Spain, all the skill in the world cannot win games if the other teams will is stronger.
The US looked heart broken that they let this game slip away but as a fan I couldn’t be prouder. More than victories, US soccer needs a team they can believe in, a team that gives them hope. In a time of economic failure and depression maybe US soccer can be the light to bring us out of the darkness. Maybe that is what it will take for the game to turn a corner in this country.
Player Ratings:
Howard 9 - Man of the Match for the US team. Looked amazing, coming up with saves from every angle. I think he is out to prove that the era of US goalkeeping dominance is not over. Won Goalkeeper of the tournament honors.
Spector 6 - Had the unenviable task of marking Robinho first and Kaka second. Beaten a few times but did as well as any defender in the world. Hit a perfect cross to Dempsey for the first goal. Lost Kaka for Brazil’s second goal.
DeMerit 7 - Brilliant again. He was beat by Fabiano for the first goal, but I can’t find too much fault there. He was as close as he needed to be and Fabiano’s turn and shot needed to be perfect to succeed. That goal was nothing short of perfect.
Onyewu 6 - Gooch was a force in the center of the backline. Was caught watching a few times and wasn’t quite as good at passing out of the back. Still an amazing performance by the big man.
Bocanegra 5 - Worked tirelessly but was troubled by Maicon, who found ample space to make crosses.
Dempsey 6 - Great first half, coming up with a goal and working hard defensively. Couldn’t make things happen in the second and was beaten for the 3rd goal by Lucio.
Feilhaber 6 - Worked very hard to shut down Kaka and Melo down the middle. Got the best of both of them until he tired.
Clark 6 - Similar to Feilhaber, Clark used his superior athleticism to shut down the middle of the park. As the game wore the Brazilians began to find more space.
Donovan 8 - Again he was all over the place defending and attacking. Scored a brilliant goal and was absolutely devastating orchastrating counter attacks.
Altidore 4 - Did what he could, but without a good first touch and poor ball control he couldn’t hold up the ball like the team needed.
Davies 7 - Worked hard and came up with an assist on Donovan’s goal. Showed world class pace beating the Brazilians to the ball a few times.
Subs
Bornstein 5 - Brought energy, but not much of an impact.
Kljestan 4 - A few neat touches and few really poor ones.
Casey N/V
