The result was improbable given the data we all had to work with. Egypt had cleverly dueled and lost to Brazil by the slimmest of margins (4:3). Egypt had upset Italy neatly in a one goal game (1:0).
Egypt had done everything right except to prepare for the unpredictable Americans. In my preview for this tournament, I stated that America would never give up. I stated that they would scratch and claw for every opportunity. This was all shown to be true, as America rallied in a way we have seldom seen. Egypt 0:3 America. I list Egypt’s score first out of respect as they are the current African Nations Cup champions, and playing in Africa were the home team. Egypt have a number of gifted and technically sound footballers. When I watched Egypt’s opening match versus Brazil, my jaw dropped watching them keep pace with the Samba Kings.
Our victory wasn’t a lapse of Egyptian skill, it was the return of our own skills and discipline. Heart has been renewed in the American side. Charlie Davies was sound enough to score a goal off of the Egyptian goalkeeper’s face. Davies never gave up. For his resolve, he was rewarded with a goal. The Clint Dempsey headed goal was so very, very sweet. The Jonathan Spector cross that set it up, was absolutely poetic. America witnessed a change - achieving world class results, in world class style.
Let me take this moment to thank Brazil for giving the sound thumping to Italy (3:0) that was necessary for America to remain alive in the Confederations Cup. Thank you Brazil, thank you many times over. Sometimes I wonder if there is anyone who understands us as a footballing nation, maybe it is Brazil.
Having said all of this makes me realize that the “group of worse than death” has now been augmented. After facing Italy and Brazil in group play, the United States must now face Spain in a semi-final elimination match.
Spain of late are anything but duffers. Iker Casillas starts in goal for Real Madrid, one of Europe’s premier sides. Defender Puyol, and midfield maestro Xavi play for FC Barcelona, the elegant Catalonian giants of football. Fernando Torres plays for Liverpool. Cesc Fabregas plays for London giants Arsenal. Spain are the recently crowned champions of Europe. Their football is fine, and often elegant.
I can’t help but think of the matchups that will take place later this day. Onyewu of the USA in central defense versus the masterful Fernando Torres. In this matchup, I feel Gooch has a fine chance to reign supreme and underscore his massive achievements in Belgium.
The midfield matchups though, create more questions than answers. Spain will have their hands full of Landon Donovan. Unless of course, none of the other midfielders show any threat, in which case it will make it easy for Spain to mark Donovan out of the match. Can Michael Bradley or Ricardo Clark hold Xavi in check? Will the overlapping Spanish outside backs create too much pressure for the USA defense to deal with?
On the Spanish side of things, I wonder if they will find it easy to deal with Michael Bradley. How will they manage to contain his tireless work rate? Bradley excels in ball-winning football. He also excels in making foolish challenges that get him booked. If it’s a dead heat in midfield, wouldn’t America be as likely to work the break as Spain?
The one thing I can be sure of is that there can be no true prediction of how ESP v. USA will end up.
It is up to the people of the world. Will you simply count out America, thinking them completely inferior to Spain? Or will you think they could have a chance, a chance to show greatness under duress?
In the 1990 World Cup’s opening match, Argentina played Cameroon. Argentina was predicted to run away with the match, but Cameroon, even after having a man sent off, were the 1:0 victors. Will this game be this sort of match?
Having followed the USA team from 1989 to present, I can honestly say, that I couldn’t predict the result one way or the other.
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