The U.S. National team may not have won the Confederations Cup against Brazil but they made it interesting.
A first half of intelligent play, great goalkeeping from Tim Howard and a stunning counter-attack goal from Landon Donovan had the U.S. positioned at half time for what could have been another historic win……In the second half Brazil morphed into the giant soccer playing nation they are and after relentless attack eventually wore down the United States producing three goals to win 3-2.
Brazilian defender Lucio headed in a corner kick that would be decisive.
So how do you feel about the U.S. National team after this match?
LA 1 Dynamo 0
Meanwhile in Carson , CA the Dynamo undefeated run came to end against the LA Galaxy.
Not one of the better games aesthetically LA edge out the Dynamo on a 24th minute goal after the Dynamo defended an LA corner poorly.
Donovan Ricketts denied Cam Weaver late of an equalizer while Brian Ching seemed to be pulled down in the penalty area.
Kei Kamara and Ching were in on a 2 on 1 that looked promising but Kamara’s final ball was never completed.
The game was more about grit and determination and the Dynamo never seemed cohesive in this one.
What did you think about the LA/Dynamo match on Espn 2/
Danish Inspirations
Fiesta Mart
Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute
Nuesion.com
SportTalk 790
Zukowski, Bresenhan & Sinex, L.L.P.
I don’t feel any less about the U.S. team. They did a great job and made me a very proud supporter. Wish we could bleep out that JP guy though. He is just too negative.
The players were fantastic for the US. Brazil is a great team with great players.
I don’t like BB’s subs. First, they were late. They shouldn’t have been past the 60th. Why go to 5 in the back? Stupid decision. Why in the world would you put Sacha out there?? Why Kljestan? Why? Conor Casey should not have been there.
What about Torres? He is infinitely better.
I love our back line with Spector DeMerit Gooch and Boca. I thiink we missed Bradley. Timmy did what he could. LD was brilliant. Dempsey was great. Ricardo did his thing. Feilhaber is a great sub for Bradley. Can’t complain about the starters today, they played their hearts out.
Tough loss but I bet the take this momentum into Mexico who won 4-0 vs Ven. I see us going into the World Cup. Can’t wait til Aug.
BTW, news in Europe is AEG stands to lose $400 mil dollars american due to the MJ concert fiasco brought by his unfortunate death. Have you uncovered anything or had a chance to talk to Dynamo Front Office about this yet. I hope this doesnt hurt the Dynamo Stadium chances in Houston.
Antnee7898 (Ray)
First I wanna say WOW! This team has really impressed me, though I never thought less nor rooted for them less but didnt see this or the last match displays coming! They really took it to 2 of the top 5 Teams in the WORLD! The only real down side is we need to learn to play at a high level through out the 90 minutes. I think that’s what killed us the most and kinda scared us in the match against Spain. We came at them hard for 45mins then dropped off after that, If we can not come at them full force but stay at that high level on a steady pace where we arent getting overwhelmed then this Country will be in the Top 10 all the time!
Im proud of these guys no matter what because they didnt get pushed around like everyone thought they were and that very respectable!
Klestjan for…. whoever. Why, why, why ? It didn’t appear he successfully completed a pass in the 15 minutes he was in…
Klestjan let that hat trick go to his head and has been worthless since then.
After the Italy and Brazil first round matches I was one of the loudest on screaming for Bradley’s head and saying this team was not playing with any heart and desire.
They changed all that against Egypt and just kept going with Spain and Brazil. They played with a lot of heart, determination and executed very well in all three games. I think the US team and fans should be very proud of their performance. We are definitely taking steps to being a WC quarterfinal team. To be able to be up on Brazil 2-0 is short of a miracle. Would have loved to see Bradley use a more attacking style when we were up 2-0. We definitely need to possess the ball better. I hope Bradley learned from this tournament and will apply what he learned about players as well as how he will be preparing tactically preparing for the WC. I hope Beasley and Sacha will not be on this team anymore. I also hope Demerit will be the anchor in the defense. I think that Donovan finally went to the next level during this tournament and has become the leader on this team with his example on the field.
Depending on how we do in the WC, I would still like to see a very experienced manager with some more experience. If we don’t get out of the first round of the WC then the change will be warranted. It will really depend on what kind of group we get in. It will be an interesting year and I hope the U.S. can build on this tournament and not have any setbacks leading up 2010 South Africa.
Great start by the US but I can’t say I’m surprised Brazil was able to come back. A big part of the problem is the bench. Brazil brought on Daniel Alves. When our players started to get tired, we brought on Bornstein and Kljestan and finally Casey. Not a lot of offensive firepower and Kljestan certainly had a terrible game. We missed Bradley. Still not sure why Adu wasn’t used at all.
Spector still looked good, although Kaka was able to speed by him a couple of times. Doubt there are many other right backs who could have done better.
Great effort by the US against the best in the world. No shame in this particular loss, especially given the near novices we had out there as forwards. Altidore had some great moments this tourney, but he has also shown he’s got a long way to go, which is to be expected at his age. In the 2nd half, Altidore’s presence essentially put us a man down, playing 10v11…against Brazil at that. This is America, we can forgive mistakes; we cannot forgive lethargy and laziness. We had no offensive output to relieve our beleaguered defenders.
But the other part of our problem is our bench. Brazil brought on Alves and Elano. We brought on Kljestan and Bornstein and Casey. Yikes. Not much that Bob Bradley can do tactically (or to replace under-performers) with a bench like that. But then, he didn’t show that he’s a risk-taker by taking the big gamble when we could use it: Adu or Torres.
It would have been nice to see Ching out there. If we were up 2-0 and Ching was on the field fighting for his life and giving it his all, I think we see a better 2nd half and maybe a better result.
As for our lone Dynamo rep, I thought Clark did well overall. His distribution was off a lot (but, frustratingly, EVERYONE made unforced passing errors tonight) but he did well interrupting the passing lanes. And it was his visionary thru-pass that got the Donovan-Davis-Donovan combination going to give us the unthinkable 2-goal lead.
I’ve been disappointed with Donovan the past few years, but this tournament he showed he’s still the best player we have, and he’s not too uppity to come back and help when he loses the ball. Talented, yes, but it was his vision, dedication, and work ethic that impressed me.
Dempsey didn’t have a great tourney, but he performed well in all three elimination games. He should be proud of his overall contribution, particularly when the formation was shifted to relieve him of his defensive responsibilities. (For the record, my beef with him isn’t that he’s a poor player, it’s that he’s a great player that underachieves or at least appears apathetic; but his emotions after this game showed he isn’t apathetic, that’s for sure.)
Good job, US. Now, Dynamo, let’s beat the Gals.
People love saying clark’s distribution was off. GET with it fools. They guy maybe missed on pass all game. People love repeating what announcers say. Seriously, go watch the last game and this game and tell me how many “errant” passes clark had…..PLEASE, I did.
Good week for US Soccer. Hope the momentum carries over into qualifying and into the World Cup next year.
Wow,
Great effort guys; I told you a few days ago that this team can compete with the best any day any time.
Now let’s look at the game. The only problem our guys had was fatigue and poor coaching. At this level in international soccer, no team goes down 2-0 in a championship game and expects to turn it around.
Our team sat back in the second half and allowed the Brazillians to bring the game to them; there was definitely no effort to curtail the pressure from our guys. That is where you need a seasoned coach.
We should have made 3 great changes in the second half bringing in 2 defensive midfielders and some one to take over the right full back position where the Brazillians concentrated their efforts and it paid off.Can you imagine a team like Italy up 2-0 and still coceeding three goals in the second half?.
Anyway, as we move forward to SA 2010, our bench needs to be deep and our coaching staff need to read the game a little more.We should have choked them up in the second half without allowing them to play their game. I wonder what Coach Bradley told the guys at half time???? “Sit back and play cool” noooooo!!! this is Brazil!!
Congratulations guys, now the world knows the USA is coming.We know we can play with the big boys anyday anytime.
See you all in 2010.
In reading the comments made a do agree with parts of a couple, but I will also go out on a limb and continue to call for Bob Bradley’s head and heres why. A good coach is one that just selects guys to go out their and get the job done, he is also a guy who knows how to make adjustments when the momentum is switching. Coming right out of the gate in the second half, the goal by Brazil was scored and the individual merit of Luis Fabiano, I will not blame the defender. He blanketed him and Fabiano just made a great goal. When it came time to make adjustments he brings out Kljestan, who is a defensive midfielder and gives no offense aside from being totally useless, Bornstein, who had a horrid tournament and was beaten everytime he was in, and Casey, who looks to fat and slow, but the jury is still out on him. I agree with the comments made earlier about trying to play more of a possession game rather than rely on the speed, counter attack, and having 7 defend the back. I think the US played a great first half. They completely frustrated Brazil who looked just like Spain by starting to lose their head and get desperate. Unfortunately, the goal to start the 2nd half changed the game psychologically for Brazil and they were finally able to breakthrough mentally. From their on, it was classic Brazil. Again Bradley needs to recognize this and make adjustments and the right changes to counter the momentum. It was never a question if Brazil was going to score but when so instead of stacking the back, Bradley needs to see that the best defense is offense and take possession of the ball more both of which I think Torres and Adu do better than the others that went in instead. People will say that well Bradley got them their, well I say that the players spirit and focus on the gameplan gotten them their, but Bradley’s lack of focus and adjustments threw it away. For the whole first half the defense of the US was controling all the crosses from Brazil in the area. Brazil adjusts and decides to cross the balls into the far post instead of the front or the middle and all of a sudden every cross is a danger. Not indications from Bradley to adjust and call attention to the problem. Hell, Brazil even had one goal taken away that was clearly in.
In the end, I think the US played with confidence and did not look scared against the big teams and I think if they do this and learn how to make adjustments they will make great things happen. No doubt. Just as the sport continues to grow in the US so the US Federation needs to as well and get a next level coach who can give the team a different demension. The anti-Latin/we want to be like England approach is getting old and will allow you to compete but not win.
I want the best for the US and the only reason I feel the way I do is because just like in life, change is universal and you can make great things happen if you embrace it so the Federation better wakeup and see it or they will always watch the parade go by.
Go US!!!!
I’m proud of the boys. They played hard and worked for everything they got. I have been one of the people so down on Donovan in his time and now wish those words had been a little sweeter cause I’m eating them. There was a time that all you had to do was run past him and he would fall but he has changed my mind (not easily done). Rico played good D but was poor going forward. His distribution was very weak. A real letdown for a his number one fan! We did nor attack at midfield and paid a price but I understand the thinking. Altidore was not up to the task today but in all fairness they came after him from the word go. It was clear they thought he was the root of the threat.
If we see that same kind of effort from the Orange tonight it will be 12 in a row. The LA Gals will come after Ching and give Cam another Brace.
I was dumb found on the Sasha sub Adu has been beggining for his chance and didnt get a minute this whole tourney. Glenn would you shed some light on why you think Adu didnt see any field time expect to cross it?
I personally think that Adu and Torres must have said something to Bradley because these guys weren’t even on Bradley’s radar screen in this tournament.
I’m from Brazil. Since Brazil scored 1 x 0 over Italy and US 1 x 0 over Egypt I called US classification and even the US victory over Spain – they were playing too arrogantly to what they really play – after all, there´s no Messi in their team. And after watching the gut play US showed against Egypt I knew they´d give a hard time to spaniards.
So, about the game today, what to say? A brilliant american 1st half – when they scored the 2nd goal, I thought it was gone. Brazil couldn´t get into the box and every counter-attack was dangerous. The first goal was defense´s flaw, but the second was a beauty – the passes, the rush and the dribble and shot by Donovan (BTW, I like him since 2002).
But USA ran too much against Egypt, ran yet more against Spain and simply couldn´t run more in the second half. US has a solid yet not creative midfield and attack, but not a trustworthy defense. It doesn´t matter when all the players are giving everything to help, but it becomes a problem when they get tired.
I was very impressed in the Spain game because it was almost unbelievable: every time a spanish striker seemed to have cleared a shot, there was alway an yankee foot to stop the ball. They had to rely on long shots to try to tie the game. And the high ball was completely dominated by US (as in the Brazil game up to the the last 25 minutes, when the defenders probably didn´t have forces to jump, after two and a half so gutsy games).
U C, Mexico should be the dominating team in CONCACAF, but their creative anda talented players are too pampered and overated for their own good. US is a lot more comitted to the game phisically, tactically and a lot more forward-minded.
Great play,
Luiz
This comment is for Glenn re Dynamo.
You need to check your tape, during the 55th minute Ching was mowed over in the 18. Your cohort was correct when he said LA got away without a PK. Ching was NOT behind him when the play began, only after he was mowed down and the guy slid over him.
Great first half, second half they ran out of steam. At least that\’s the way I saw it. The Donovan/Davies goal was a thing of beauty. U.S. played brilliantly but lost to a world class team. Compare the payroll on both sides. Quite a difference yet the talent almost matched Brazil. Davies is a revelation as a forward. The U.S. definitely missed Bradley on the field in my estimation. Time of possession was virtually non-existant for the Americans in the second half. The pressure Brazil applied was relentless. All in all a great cup for the U.S. and hopefully we will see the dividends pay off next year.
Well the USMNT scored a moral victory and the Dynamo lost to a subpar team. I hope that this is the one loss on the road that they can afford. It should have been a tie, but Kamara missed a prime scoring chance. Oh well, you can’t win them all.
I’m glad at least Goal: The Dream Begins had a happy ending…
SoccerbyIves.net posts that Rico’s representative said that Rennes has inquired about him. It’s all pure speculation at this point, but should it come to pass it would be great for him (and bad for us Dynamo fans) if he could make the move to a good European league. However, he HAS to get playing time there for it to be worth it. European benches don’t help players develop.
We missed Rico in LA yesterday, especially in that first half when we had players trying to find their rhythm in new spaces. When Rico returns, he should be filled with renewed confidence from his Confederations Cup exploits, and rightly so.
How are you Glenn?
Thank you for your (humorous) comments near the conclusion of the Galaxy-Dynamo broadcasting regarding the U.S. Brazil game. We need more broadcasters who are passionate about soccer in America first and competent second (Ray Hudson springs to mind). Luckily you manage to possess both qualities.
BTW, how much closer can the Dynamo come to a stadium resolution before the shovels go in the dirt? Let me know if you get a chance.
While I expected them to finish an embarrassing 0-3, the US finished up strong w/2 wins and a loss but let’s not hand them the World Cup just yet. They advanced to the final which is admirable, but on balance, this was an average tournament resulting in 3 losses and 2 wins. Two of the losses were complete blowouts. They were fortunate to make the semi-finals on a tie-breaker, and to their credit, they made the most of it. Bradley got a super-sized look at how his team fares among three of the world’s best in Italy, Spain, and twice against Brazil.
What do you think his HONEST evaluation of his side will be when looking at the tournament as a whole? Its a tough read when you go blowout, blowout, tough win, historic upset, and finish w/the one that got away.
Hopefully, what they will take away from this tournament is a confidence that they can compete and most importantly, SCORE on the top teams in the world. Make no mistake, the Confederations Cup is not the World Cup. The next competition in South Africa will be much tougher, and even more difficult to defeat the top teams in the world once their final squads have been selected.
It was good to see the boys get angry (e.g. Michael Bradley) and fired up because frankly, they’re not good enough to beat Italy, Spain, and Brazil on talent alone. They need that extra push, that “us-against-the-world”, or that “no one believes in us, but us” mentality because football wits and heart will deliver results in 2010 more than skill I’m afraid.
One more thing…we beat Spain and pushed Brazil to the brink so SUCK ON THAT Giuseppe Rossi!
Inspiring! USMNT played with heart. This effort put SOCCER and EXCITING into the same sentence for thousands of casual and non-soccer fans here in the US, or should I say future soccer fans. I had handfulls of these “Future” fans discussing with me the last two matches vs. Espana and Brasil. All were impressed and had fun watching the matches. It was a great week (Egypt / Spain / Brasil) for the USMNT and for the sport of soccer in the US. I look forward to more inspired performances during the remainder of WC qualifying and next summer in South Africa.
hopefully we’ll see Adu get some playing time in the gold cup. It looks like Torres is not even on the gold cup roster, what’s up with that?
i would definitely like to see Adu and Torres play more often than not. I think they’ll definitely be better subs that Conor and Sasha …
anyways, glad to see Dempsey playing with such passion (after the first two games – in which he seemed uninterested) and heart towards the end of the tournament.
what about Jermaine Jones? Do you think he will get selected among the mid-field players?