The ecstasy on the faces of the Brazilian players celebrating the go-ahead goal near the corner flag and the tears rolling down that of their captain, Lucio, at the final whistle, demonstrated just how much today's Confederations Cup final meant to the world's most famous soccer team.
That measure of commitment, combined with a lot of talent and the flagging energy of a U.S. side struggling to stay with a superior opponent for the second straight game, was enough to overhaul a two-goal deficit and lift the Brazilians to a 3-2 triumph and the tournament title.
Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, each of whom merited consideration for tournament MVP (eventually claimed by Kaka), staked the Americans to a shock 2-0 lead. The U.S. knew that Brazil would possess and pressure and that to have a chance, they would have to take advantage of their opportunities when they came.
Dempsey did just that in the 10th minute, finding space in the Brazilian penalty area and sweeping home a long cross from right back Jonathan Spector. The play was reminiscent of the strike against Egypt that clinched the Americans' spot in the semifinals and resulted in the first goal on Brazil since their tournament opener against Egypt.
The game continued in promising fashion, with Oguchi Onyewu and Dempsey coming close off a corner kick a few minutes later. Brazil, however, slowly found its rhythm. A 24th-minute Jozy Altidore turnover led to a low shot from Felipe Melo that forced U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard to make a tough save, and Maicon nearly powered the ball inside the near post just two minutes later.
But the dam didn't break, and in the 27th minute Donovan finished a swift, beautiful counterattack that left U.S. fans dreaming of a trophy. Ricardo Clark won the ball deep and found Donovan inside his own half but facing just two Brazilian defenders. Donovan and Charlie Davies were off to the races. Donovan found Davies on the left wing, and the ball immediately was returned to Donovan at the edge of the penalty area. He cut the ball back to his left foot and slipped the ball past goalkeeper Julio Cesar and inside the right post. It was Donovan at his best.
Howard, who collected the competition's 'Golden Glove' award despite giving up nine goals in four games, made two more quality saves before the break.
Less than two minutes into the second half, Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano scored a goal that seemed to do more than just halve the Americans' lead. A lightning-quick turn on U.S. defender Jay DeMerit and well-placed shot past Howard appeared to sap some resolve.
"That really hurt," coach Bob Bradley said in a post-game interview. "It's a tough one, obviously ... We really put ourselves in a tough spot."
Said Donovan: "To give up the goal so fast in the second half hurts. Give them credit. They kept coming, wave after wave, and they probably deserved it in the end."
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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: Oguchi Onyewu of USA in action during the FIFA Confederations Cup Final between USA and Brazil at the Ellis Park Stadium on June 28, 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Oguchi Onyewu
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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: Luis Fabiano of Bazil is challenged by Jay DeMerit of the USA during the FIFA Confederations Cup Final between USA and Brazil at the Ellis Park Stadium on June 28, 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Luis Fabiano;Jay DeMerit
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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: Luis Fabiano of Brazil shields the ball from Jonathan Bornstein and Carlos Bocanegra (R) of USA during the FIFA Confederations Cup Final between USA and Brazil at the Ellis Park Stadium on June 28, 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Bocanegra;Luis Fabiano;Jonathan Bornstein
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Brazil's players Daniel Alves, left, and Maicon, right, react as fellow team member Lucio holds up the Confederations Cup trophy, following their Confederations Cup final soccer match against the US, at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, June 28, 2009. Brazil won 3-2. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Brazil's Robinho, right, celebrates with fellow team members including Daniel Alves, left following their victory over the US, during their Confederations Cup final soccer match at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, June 28, 2009. Brazil won 3-2. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Brazil players celebrate with the trophy after defeating the U.S. to win the Confederations Cup final soccer match in Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 28 2009. Brazil won the match 3-2. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen (SOUTH AFRICA)
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Brazil players celebrate with the trophy after defeating the U.S. to win the Confederations Cup final soccer match in Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 28 2009. Brazil won the match 3-2. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen (SOUTH AFRICA)
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Brazilian players celebrate with the trophy after the Fifa Confederations Cup final football match United States vs Brazil on June 28, 2009 at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg. Brazil won 3-2. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images)
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Brazilian players celebrate with the trophy after the Fifa Confederations Cup final football match United States vs Brazil on June 28, 2009 at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg. Brazil won 3-2. AFP PHOTO / ROBERTO SCHMIDT (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)
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Brazilian players celebrate with the trophy after the Fifa Confederations Cup final football match United States vs Brazil on June 28, 2009 at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg. Brazil won 3-2. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
And Brazil did come. The effort expended over the past two weeks playing so many minutes down a man, in so many tense, must-win situations against such high quality opponents, seemed to weight on the U.S. and the minutes dragged by. Lucio nearly scored off a 58th-minute header, and two minutes later Kaka nodded a ball toward the near post that may have floated over the goal line before Howard parried it away. The Americans did manage some possession about 20 minutes into the half that resulted in a couple of long shots, including a dangerous effort from Dempsey, but the flurry was notable only for how unique it was.
Howard shut down Luis Fabiano on a breakaway in the 70th, but the striker tied it in the 74th. Kaka beat Spector on the left and sent in a cross that Robinho redirected off the crossbar. Luis Fabiano made no mistake on the rebound. The inevitable winner came 10 minutes later, when Lucio out-jumped Dempsey and headed home Elano's corner kick.
Brazil rejoiced, both at the moment and when accepting the stout, golden trophy from FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.
Dempsey sobbed, and the rest of the U.S. team clearly was disappointed. This was no moral victory. "We're at the point where we don't want respect, we want to win," Donovan said solemnly in his post-game interview.
"There's no guarantee we'll ever get back to a final game like this, and it's disappointing."
He's right, there is no guarantee. But the chances improve if the U.S. learns from what went right in the Cup's final three games. The commitment to defending, coverage and attacking at speed now provide a basic blueprint for approaching games against elite opposition. And this tournament demonstrated that the U.S. is now producing players that can, if lots of things go right, stay with the world's best teams. That can be good enough to advance in tournament play, where the difference between qualification and elimination often is so narrow.
In the meantime, U.S. Soccer needs to continue its commitment to gradual, long-term improvement, while Bradley will focus on the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup and the World Cup qualifying program that restarts in August in Mexico City. Assuming the Americans advance to next summer's finals, their experience in the past two weeks in South Africa surely will serve them well.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
6-28-2009 @ 5:51PM
TIME TO ROCK said...
We gave up...2-0 first half and let them score 3 in second half...we gave up!nice job !!!very sad
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6-28-2009 @ 6:38PM
zodiacspeaking1 said...
Brazil are the Yankees of soccer. Beating them will be far and few between. The U.S will never match Brazil in soccer. But playing well and losing should never be the goal!
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6-28-2009 @ 10:21PM
younghury said...
The best
Brazil
6-28-2009 @ 7:00PM
Rufusan said...
Hi there, I'm a p***** off Spaniard but not enough to avoid congratulating you people for this exciting competition days and for the progress of the sport in your country.
Though I'm an alien to this blog, I think this achievement is a fair reward for people like Brian Straus and Michael Cardillo. I got to this blog from the NBA part of the site, months ago and just out of curiosity...it was like getting into an empty bar when next door one was crowded...now, what a change. Well deserved, keep the good work, un saludo y suerte.
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6-29-2009 @ 5:27PM
drjonman2u said...
Gracias pero tenemos mas trabajo.
We became disorganized defensivley in the 2nd half. Our shape was lost and our discipline collapsed. I was happy with 2 goals in one half against Brazil.
I believe Bob Bradely is a superior coach to Arena and Sampson but I miss Bora!
6-28-2009 @ 7:01PM
Steven said...
The US will never compete against the power house Teams until we stop putting time and money into these weak ass MIDGETS like Donovan and such. Brasil over powered us with size and speed, winning almost every 50/50 ball. The object to the game is to WIN not just compete. Don't get me wrong I love the US and soccer but they are headed in the wrong direction with the supposed stars of the team. I am FIGGING DISCUSTED!!!! &$%#@##$%^&!!!!!!!! Our stars would sit on the bench on a OK teams around the world.I am tired of waiting.....
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6-28-2009 @ 7:06PM
gailgrprns3 said...
WHO CARES ABOUT SOCCER?....GIVE ME A BASEBALL GAME WITH A CASE OF BEER AND HOTDOGS....NOW THATS ALL-AMERICAN.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 8:39PM
jordao said...
burrrrp, yep. 350 pounds and counting...
6-28-2009 @ 7:11PM
bwlionking said...
What the US soccer team did in in this cup series is on a par with when teams from other countries first started competing seriously with the US in basketball. Just 5 years ago, the US competing well with teams like Brazil, Spain, Italy etc.in soccer would have been unthinkable. It is still almost like expecting an non US team to compete with a team in the National Football League ( Us football )
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6-28-2009 @ 7:19PM
gailgrprns3 said...
SOCCER IS TOO SLOW AND BOREING TO WATCH...THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A GOOD AMERICAN BASEBALL GAME...
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6-28-2009 @ 9:01PM
Kerry said...
You obviously don't know anything about soccer. Boring...are you kidding me! It is more exciting than any baseball game could ever be.
6-28-2009 @ 10:58PM
zipotedude said...
if youre into watching playing spitting and scratching their balls till something exciting happens,then watch baseball
6-28-2009 @ 7:26PM
lopinguez said...
Great game ! I know the U.S. team is not accustomed to playing well and losing, but remember they were up against the best national team in the world and still made it to the finals. Not only that, but they had a 2 - 0 lead the first half against Brazil ! They eliminated Spain ! That say's a lot about the U.S. team.
The U.S. can be proud of their performances.
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6-28-2009 @ 7:28PM
smallbizanalyst5 said...
I have been a fan of Brazilian soccer for over 30 years and have been witness to some memorable games and some incredible victories. Since I captained my university soccer team, I have a commendable grasp of the game.
To tout that the US soccer team has reached a competitive world standard, would indeed be presumptuous. The US made it into the play-offs on goal difference and thanks to a 3-0 drubbing of Italy by Brazil. Of course, the US team’s 3-0 victory over Egypt helped them as well. But, during these past two weeks, the US team merely beat Egypt in its group and then Spain in the quarters - having lost to Brazil 3-0, and to Italy 1-0, in the group match. So, winning two games does not make a champion unlike Brazil which won all 5 of their games.
Also, the score should have been 4-2 in Brazil's favor but for a goal that was not called in the second half. I guess the referee had a different definition and angle of breaking the goal-line plane.
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6-28-2009 @ 8:05PM
Mark said...
Your team won and you have to whine that the score wasnt 4-2 ? I've heard of sore losers but sore winners? I dont think many people think the US team is on the same level with Spain or Brazil but doesnt mean we cant be proud of our team for the effort they made. Congratulations to Brazil, they deserved to win and are the better team,and also congratulations to the US for providing us with a little excitement.
6-28-2009 @ 8:45PM
imosoccer9 said...
um italy beat US 3-1 not 1-0.. i didnt know being on a soccer team made u a national soccer scholar..
6-28-2009 @ 8:48PM
imosoccer9 said...
I couldnt agree more. Baseball? there is no action.. Theres over 300 pitches (give or take) in a game and what around 15 hits? what happens the rest of the 285 pitches? The pitcher and catcher playing catch with 9 guys around watching.. Soccer slow and boring... wow
6-28-2009 @ 7:51PM
HeY DaddY said...
Lol, Soccer slow and boring?? How is baseball any faster?? Soccer is the worlds Sport. When will we see 32 nations going for glory?? i doubt theres a dozen countries that are great at baseball, basketball or even football. When will we see South Africa with a Football team or Eygpt with a Baseball Team? The U.S needs to set up a way of play. That scheme of playing with 6 defenders and playing for counter attacks only works agaisnt Mexico and now Spain but verses Spain they had LUCK!!! cuz those two goals werent meant to be. Mexico at one point, before alot of there players started migrating to Europe had a scheme down and we could go play any European National Team and atleast tie. Many say about the contraversy on whose the king of the ConCaCaf, and that is clearly still Mexico. They've beaten Brazil, they've Beaten Argentina, They've gone to the World Cup and Tied Vs Italy, Belguim, Holland. Let me add a lil pain to Donovan. Lol, Mexico's #1 Hater. MEXICO!!!! They've WON THE CONFEDERATION CUP!!! Guess who they beat??? Ahuh, Brazil 4-3. They've Gone and won a World Cup Championship in the U 17 category. Guess Who They Beat??? Ahuh Brazil!!! 3-0... Whose #1 in the ConCaCaf!!! Oh, and how the hell a team who losses two games 3-0 advance?? Shows the quality of competition this tournament had.
Reply
6-28-2009 @ 8:48PM
jordao said...
Hijole, mexicano, calmate y bajate! Piensas demas de si mismo.
6-28-2009 @ 8:18PM
Oye said...
The US lacked cohesion as a unit, they didn't move together, so that there were options to the player on the ball, too often there was one or no real option, so they couldn't keep possesion.
Those long balls immediately put the ball up for grabs, there is only a 50-50 chance you will win the ball. Soccer, real soccer for a country who doesn't have the technically sound players must be teamwork, playing together always giving the player on the ball several "realistic" options. You keep the ball away, it tires out the opposition, and frustrates them.
The other thing that was painfully obvious, was we gave the Brazilians way too much space, another mistake.
2-0 at halftime was not a reflection of the run of play. Brazil were clearly the better team, if we play together we can play with anyone. Our defenders and Howard played a good game, it was our inability to maintain possesion, and the space we gave them that did us in.
Donovan's goal, build up and all was world class.
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