We Are David

The US MNT’s dream didn’t exactly come true yesterday against Brazil, but even still, nearly everyone that spent Sunday afternoon watching or participating in what took place in Soldier Field left satisfied. A very close 4-2 effort is no reason for our guys to hang their heads. Brazil brought the superstar highlights and as much Joga Bonito as they could muster; we brought the tough tackling and sportsmanlike competitive drive that—without question—changed the game from a friendly exhibition to an invaluable measuring stick. That’s how you’re supposed to fight in qualifying. The road to South Africa 2010 only gets easier.


The match-up of the day had to be between Ronaldinho and Mike Bradley. With the Brazilian #10, we got what we expected: the graceful toe-touch that led to his team’s first goal, the vision and distribution, the slicing free kick that proved to be the game-winner, the joyful assassin’s smile. Nothing came easily, however, thanks in large part to a 20-year-old coach’s son who disrupted building Brazilian attacks time and time again. Mike’s got the size, speed, and most importantly, the work rate to be the holding midfielder of the future. What we saw Sunday was instant development. His late foul in the box was less of a lapse in judgment a more a sign of fatigue (and as any coach will tell you, the two go hand in hand). Nevertheless, with his standout play in the Gold Cup, U-20 Cup, and now yesterday against Brazil, Mike’s jam-packed summer has been amazingly successful.

Props also have to be sent to Captain Carlos Bocanegra and Tim Howard, both of whom played integral roles on the defensive side. Containing the creativity of Robinho, Ronaldinho and others is tough work, but ‘Los kept the backline organized and even got into the scoring act himself, being in the right place at the right time for the first goal of the game off a Landon corner. Howard also played well - and he played tough - sticking in the game despite suffering a dislocated finger in his attempt to stop Brazil’s second goal, a high header in the 53rd minute. He made all the saves he should have gotten to, and even a couple he shouldn’t have. Offensively, Clint "Deuce" Dempsey brought his club momentum back home, striking a well-placed ball to the far post in the 73rd. For the next two minutes it felt like a whole new ballgame.

The road to South Africa 2010 only gets easier.

A few unlucky bounces here, a few questionable calls there—the US MNT only lost by the slimmest of margins. Against Brazil, though, the slimmest of margins translated into a two-goal differential. The team's got a lot of positives to work off of before the team’s next game against Switzerland in October. Now it’s back to Europe for many of the US national teamers, where club competition and cooling temperatures await.