What was surprising is how they won it.
A funny thing happened on the way to the dream final between Spain and Brasil. The U.S. Men's team knocked off Spain in the semi's and stole their spot in the Final instead.
In my last blog, I wrote how Brasil had dismissed the U.S. in the group stage, 3-0. The performance by the U.S., on the heels of a 3-1 drubbing to Italy, was so uninspired that many were calling for coach Bob Bradley's head.
The Maturing of the United States as a Soccer Country
In an absurd moment which would only get more surreal as the tourney progressed, a New York Times writer claimed those demanding the coach's scalp signified "the maturing of the United States as a soccer country."
A high-water mark, of sorts. At least somebody cared enough to scream.
Then, the U.S. righted their ship and blew out Egypt, 3-0, to sneak into the semis. They also needed a huge assist by the Brasilians who whacked Italy, 3-0. This got the U.S. into the next round by the skin of their teeth.
Clearly, the stars were aligning.
The U.S. made the most of their chance by then shocking the world's #1 team, Spain, along with everyone else who was paying attention in the soccer world.
Never mind the Spaniards were streaking, 35 games without a loss. That mark, which they now share with a 90's Brasil side, came to an end courtesy the U.S.
For their part, Brasil needed a brilliant strike by sub Dani Alves to slip past a game South Africa, 1-0, to book their spot in the Final against the U.S.
Photo: O Globo Golden Boot winner Luis Fabiano
It all started quite well for the U.S. They struck first. And second. The U.S. had never had a 2-goal lead against Brasil. All of the sudden, it was 2-0 at the half.
All-time, Brasil had led the U.S. in head-to-head competition, 13-1.
But that mattered little as the U.S. side had a strong record of holding onto leads. Since 1993, the U.S. were 96-1 when holding the lead at halftime.
And the U.S. team had never lost a game in which they'd led by two goals.
Then the Brasilian onslaught began.
Luis Fabiano scored quickly after halftime on a nice turn in the box and a blast to beat U.S. keeper Tim Howard.
Soon thereafter, Kaka nodded home the equalizer. But the linesman missed it (though the camera replay didn't) and the score remained 2-1.
But not for long. Brasil was running on jet fuel by then and remained relentless in their attack.
Kaka brought the ball into box on the left, crossed it nicely to Robinho who struck the crossbar. But Luis Fabiano was there again to head home his second goal of the match, 2-2.
Photo: O Globo Luis Fabiano evens the match v. U.S
The Brasilians continued with their crushing pressure.
Lethal Lucio
I've seen every Brasilian World Cup game since 1994. I've also seen most of their international matches in that span. And I've seen Brasilian captain Lucio play for his club team many times.
He is one of just four World Champions remaining from the 2002 squad. And one thing about Lucio is for sure...
On corner kicks, Lucio is lethal on the back post.
He's strong, tall and must be well-marked or he'll make you pay. Earlier in the tourney on a corner kick v. Egypt, he had the fateful strike, which was hand-balled in the net and culminated in Kaka's extra time PK winner.
Brasil captain Lucio heads home the winner
This time against the U.S. he did it in the air with a header. It was a beauty.
And the exhausted U.S. side had little left in the Championship's final moments.
It was a big win for Brasil.
And it was a massive result for the U.S. which had never advanced to a Final of a FIFA tournament.
We're less than one year from the 2010 World Cup next summer.
Based on these results, Brasil may move to #1 in the FIFA rankings. But even if they don't, they are in dynamic form and have hit their stride under coach Dunga.
Kaka and Lucio bringing home the hardware
They will be formidable foes next summer and a U.S.-Brasil rematch would be great fun to see.
If the same situation arose, with a 2-0 lead, would the U.S. be able to plunge the dagger and finish off a world-class side like Brasil? Tune in next summer.
They did it against the world's #1 side, Spain. But they couldn't repeat the effort against Brasil, with all of the pressure of a FIFA Final bearing down on them.
Yes, it's hard to breath at that altitude. Today, like so many times in the past, the South Americans were able. The North Americans weren't.
Blog link:
A Passion for 'The Beautiful Game'
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