6/25/09 @ 6:40:13 am
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - For the first time in history, the U.S. men's soccer team will appear in the final of a major international tournament. The Americans pulled off a stunner, by blanking number-one ranked Spain 2-0 in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. Spain had not lost in 35 straight matches dating back to November 2006. Jozy Altidore and Clint Demsey scored for the Americans who survived elimination from the tournament earlier this week by a series of unlikely results. The U.S. will either face Brazil or South Africa in the final
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SM's notes....
It took a miracle just to advance to the semifinals for U.S. soccer and they came out with intensity, dominating the 1st 1/2. Forward Jozy Altidore led off the scoring with a shot in the first half that deflected off the gloves of the Spanish keeper into the corner of the goal; it was a beautiful thing and the half ended with the score 1-0.
However, Spain didn't go away quietly. As much as the US dominated in the 1st, Spain came out with the intensity born of desperation in the second. It took everything goalie Tim Howard had along with some brilliant defensive moments to keep the Spanish ballers from finding the back of the net. Just whn it seemed that they might collapse, Landon Donovan orchestrated a drive down the side, penetrating deep into Spanish territory. Opting for a cross instead of a shot, the ball was nearly deflected out by the Spanish Defenders when native East Texan Clint Dempsey found it had his feet for the second and deciding goal of the match.
Despite being down a man during the final six minutes of the game after a questionable red card on Michael Bradley, the U.S. finished the match strong, shutting out Spain and ending their winning streak with a 2-0 victory.
The Brazil v.s. South Africa semifinal game is today and the final is Sunday..... I will be watching both!
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