First off, congratulations to the US Soccer team for their improbable run in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Not only did the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team trounce out-manned Egypt 3-0, but they also took advantage of the Brazilians' 3-0 statement defeat of the Arruzzi to vault themselves into the Semi-finals of the Tournament.
It was there, despite the on-going run of luck, that I assumed the ride was over. The opponent was #1 ranked Spain* who was unbeaten since 2006 against Non-European competition, who was the winner of Euro 2008 and who was enjoying a renaissance of late as a World Top Team.
Wrong. The U.S. Men dominated Spain 2-0 for a half, and then rode the stand-on-your-head brilliance of Tim Howard to preserve the shut-out and the win.
The Finals presented a familiar challenge. Brazil, the team that beat the U.S. 3-0 and led to my posting that the US team was done, thanks for playing, take your parting gifts and South African Sun-tans head back to your minor league soccer franchises and prepare for our quadrennial drubbing in 2010.
But the US team surprised me, playing spirited offensive football and, for a half, beating the Brazilians at their own game. Yes, in the second half the sheer talent and offensive brilliance of Samba Soccer proved too much to overcome. Eventually even the best of goalies wither under an onslaught of shots. That being said, the US has a lot to be proud of today, our National soccer team stood up to the World's elite, and they held their own.**
Congratulations to them.
*Proving, once and for all, that FIFA world rankings are bunk.
**There should be some debate, going forward, as to the reasoning behind the US' recent ascension. I'll weigh in on that soon. (Hint: It isn't Minor League Soccer) Ironically the very same establishment that's stifling creativity could be in-part responsible for helping the US to improve.