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Confederations Cup Standings: United States advances
Stars fall into place in Sunday’s soccer action, as US and Brazil each won their respective games to advance to next round
The Confederations Cup standings were this on Sunday: The United States soccer team appeared dysfunctional in its first couple of first round games against Italy and Brazil.
But then, with its tournament life on the line, the US needed a few stars to fall into place just to escape the first round.Facing off against Egypt, a team which had just surprised Italy in an earlier match, the odds were not in the U.S.’ favor.
In order to stay alive in the worldwide tournament the U.S. had to defeat Egypt by a minimum of three goals, with Brazil having to complete the same task against Italy.
The likelihood of both instances coming to fruition was almost beyond believable, especially when one considered the inconsistent playing of the U.S. team, and the immense talent of the Italian team.
Nevertheless, the odds came out on the side of the Americans. The Confederation Cup standings changed as the U.S. team upset Egypt by a score of 3-0, while the Brazilian team defeated the Italians by the same score.
The U.S. got its first tally in the 21st minute by Charlie Davies, while Michael Bradley – the son of head coach Bob Bradley – added another goal in the 63rd minute. Clint Dempsey headed in the third and final goal in the 71st minute, assuring the U.S. would advance in dramatic fashion.
“All of the critics in America who said we were no good after losing to Italy and Brazil, let’s see what they say now,” Michael Bradley said to Associated Press.
The United States has not had much luck recently in international match play, as they’ve been eliminated in big tournaments three of the last six years. The players never let the past dictate the future, though.
“Big surprise, but we knew we were capable of this,” forward Landon Donovan said to the AP. “Now we have a difficult game ahead of us and a very big match.”
This strange series of events leads the U.S. team to a semifinal match against the top-ranked team in the world, Spain. The Spanish squad is unbeaten in its last 35 matches, and will surely strive to give the U.S. team more headaches than both Brazil and Italy could manage.
“We know the way they can move the ball and keep possession,” Bob Bradley told the Associated Press, referring to the exhibition loss Spain handed the U.S. last year. “We played a good first half but they wore us down in the second half and it didn’t feel too good.”
Even if the United States gets beaten by Spain, they should still be proud of their accomplishments. If they somehow manage to stun Spain and keep the dream alive, the underdog will continue to make Americans proud.
Our Take
The United States soccer team has exceeded expectation already in the Confederations Cup standings, keeping hope alive for another potentially victory against the top-ranked team in the world. Spain will be sure not to take the U.S. team lightly, while the U.S. will be playing with house money. There is nothing to lose but a lot to gain. Collegenews.com
