In their first full international final, the US MNT came roaring onto the pitch in blistering form. What a difference a week makes, as the red, white and blue showed the world all the pride, passion and skill that was lacking in their group stage game against Brazil.
Riding a wave of confidence after their semifinal win against world #1 Spain, the US struck first blood when Deuce Dempsey did what he does best – one-timing a pinpoint cross into the side netting in the 10th minute. Opportunistic and lethal, Deuce tallied for the third time in as many games, earning the tourney’s Bronze Ball for his big-game heroics.
The US did the unthinkable 17 minutes later when they went 2-0 up on Brazil for the first time ever with what is arguably one of their greatest goals of all time. Ricardo Clark started the play intercepting the ball in our defensive third and outletting up the middle to the streaking Donovan, who one-timed it out to Charlie Davies, who returned the favor back to Donovan with one touch. Donovan then beat his Brazilian defender with a perfectly taken first touch, sized up the keeper and slotted the ball in the corner of the net. As clinical and surgical a counterattack as you could ever hope to see.
The second half was another story, as Brazil finally found their way around tournament Golden Glove winner, Timmy Howard, to draw one back. And, from there Brazil mounted wave after wave of attacks, constantly threatening until the US was finally undone 3 – 2. Congrats go out to Brazil, who played phenomenal in the second 45 and, in particular, to Luis Fabiano who scored two of the three to win the Golden Boot.
So while they may not have come away with a victory today in South Africa, the US MNT has served notice to the world that they are capable of beating anyone on any given night. And as they go into qualifying matches for South Africa 2010, Landon had this to say:
“We’re at the point where we don’t want respect; we want to win.”
Nikesoccer : June 2009
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The US MNT has pulled off the unthinkable and shocked the world yet again. In the ultimate David vs. Goliath match-up, the MNT dethroned the Spaniards, the Titans of international soccer and the world’s undisputed No. 1 team.
Forget beating the African champions. Spain hadn’t lost since November 2006. That’s 15 straight victories, 35 straight matches without a loss, and 451 straight minutes of shutout play.
Those shutout minutes came to a decisive end when Deuce played a ball with a little flair to his teammate, who turned his marker and finished strong. Then Deuce would add the dagger in the 74th, driving home a deflection from inside the penalty area for his 15th international goal.
Add in the stalwart, quintessentially American physical D played by Gooch, DeMerit, and Boca, a stunning performance by Howard, and that’s a shutout W.
The finals are on Sunday, as the MNT plays the winner of Brazil vs. South Africa. We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!
In three incredible moments on Sunday the critics were silenced and the passion returned to American soccer.
The first was pure heart and hard work by Charlie Davies, as he held off multiple defenders and craftily flicked it around his marker and off the Egyptian keeper’s head into the goal. 21st minute, US 1-0.
The second was an awe-inspiring counterattack, as Michael Bradley ran at the Egyptian backline in Landon-esque fashion before giving it to the Captain himself, who crossed it back to Bradley’s right foot. Goal, 2-0. Happy Father’s Day, Coach Bob.
Finally a pinpoint cross in the 71st minute gave Clint Dempsey the opportunity to secure a place in US soccer lore, as Deuce laid out for a picture-perfect header to the back post. GOLASO!
With courage, grit and a refusal to say die, our boys have delivered an unforgettable moment in US soccer. It’s time to refocus and back this performance up with another.
Don’t miss this one (Wednesday, ESPN, 2:30 ET). We can hardly wait….
Robinho, Maicon, and Ramires. Those names alone are enough to give any backline a headache. Playing down a man for the second consecutive game against perhaps the world’s most prolific offense is just a plain nightmare. Truly, there were just too many weapons for Tim Howard and his defense to contend with as the US fell to Brazil on Thursday.
All the more reason why this coming game against Egypt is the perfect opportunity for the MNT to show what matters most: A hungry heart.
Egypt might not be a perennial world power, but anyone who has been following the past week’s games knows otherwise. Egypt put in three against Brazil, only losing in the last minute, then responded two days later with a shutout victory against the Italians. Rebounding with a W against the Egyptians would be as big a victory for the US as any.
And there’s still a whole year left until South Africa 2010. We’ve seen the talent level – now we need to raise our game another notch.
Tune in and look for a new starting 11 against Egypt (Sunday, ESPN2, 2:25 pm ET) as Coach Bradley tries to stir the pot a little bit and add some fuel to the fire.
Clint Dempsey earned his 50th cap for the MNT the other night. That’s right, Deuce has been doing what he does best – fearlessly attacking defenses – for a half-century of national team matches.
Number 51 is right around the corner. On Saturday the US hosts Honduras at Soldier Field in Chicago. And along with his audacious, relentless attitude, Clint will bring another weapon to the pitch – a brand new pair of custom “Don’t Tread on Me” Mercurial Superfly boots, imprinted with the name of his baby daughter Elyse. (Design your own Mercurials here).
To ensure his 51st cap is a W, Dempsey has been putting in the hard hours on the training ground. We’re talking no excuses, sweat-dripping, all-out hustle. But, hard work is something Deuce is very familiar with – coming from the States, Deuce had to earn and re-earn his starting spot in the ever-cutthroat EPL. There are no gimmes on the top level.
The US vs. Honduras qualifier (ESPN, Saturday, 7PM CT) is a monumental one. Tune in and show Deuce and the boys some love.
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