US advances to Fed Cup Semifinals in unlikely fashion

[VTGreg]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=266847&cc=5901

U.S. 3-0 Egypt: U.S. headed to semis

RUSTENBURG, South Africa -- On the verge of elimination and facing long odds, the United States came up with its best performance at a major international tournament in seven years and an improbable semifinal berth at the Confederations Cup.

Charlies Davies scored in the first half, and Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey added goals in the final half hour to lead the United States over Egypt 3-0 Sunday.

The United States needed to win by three goals and have Italy lose by three, and that's exactly what happened.

Combined with Brazil's 3-0 defeat of world champion Italy, the United States finished second in Group B and will face European champion Spain on Wednesday, a day before Brazil (3-0) meets host South Africa.

While the U.S., Italy and Egypt all finished at 1-2, the Americans scored four goals and allowed six. Italy also had a minus-2 goal difference but scored only three goals and Egypt was minus-3.

The U.S. had opened with a 3-1 loss to Italy and a 3-0 loss to Brazil, moving to the brink of elimination for its fourth straight international tournament. Egypt, meanwhile, was coming off a 1-0 upset of the Azzurri.

And since advancing to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, the U.S. team had been knocked out of the first round of the 2003 Confederations Cup, the 2006 World Cup and the 2007 Copa America.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley made three changes, inserting backup goalkeeper Brad Guzan, midfielder Ricardo Clark and Davies, a forward from Manchester, N.H., who turns 23 on Thursday.

Davies scored in the 21st minute following a U.S. throw in. Goalkeeper Essam El Hadary made the save as defender Ahmed Fathi kneed him in the head, and Davies got the rebound and kicked it in off the goalkeeper for his second international goal since his debut against China in June 2007. Davies' previous international goal was in a 2-1 loss at Trinidad in a World Cup qualifier last October.

El Hadary remained down for about 4 minutes, and bandaging was wrapped around his head to stop bleeding before play resumed. The goal was the first for the Americans in the tournament -- and only their second in five games -- from the run of play.

Bradley, the son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley, scored on Father's Day for the second straight year, connecting off a give-and-go with Landon Donovan in the 63rd minute. It was his sixth goal in 33 appearances.

Dempsey scored the goal that put the U.S. over the top eight minutes later, taking a long cross from Jonathan Spector, outjumping defender Wael Gomaa and beating El Hadary with a diving header. It ended a career-high eight-game goalless streak for Dempsey with the national team, the longest of his international career. Dempsey, who has 14 international goals, had not scored for the U.S. since Sept. 10 against Trinidad and Tobago.

Gomaa had a chance to score in the 90th minute -- and put Egypt in the semis -- but his header went over the crossbar.

Granted Egypt looked less than inspired but the offensive outburst from the US was far from expected. They had only scored a single goal in the tournament thus far and that was on a pk against Italy. The convincing victory with the Brazil's romp of Italy moves them through to the semifinals where they will play Spain.

The US still looks discombobulated in the attacking third but some of that may be due to missing personnel. If nothing else, at least this will give the US a shot of confidence to carry through the rest of qualifying. They have looked pretty terrible over the past year.

[guiseppewv]

It was a very unexpected outcome. They needed to win by 3 goals and Italy had to lose by 3. Somehow, it all worked out. I think we still have a long way to go but it was nice to see us get a few breaks especially after, in my opinion, horrendous refereeing in prior matches. It is amazing what you can do when you aren't playing a man down.

[bachviet]

I think Spain is going to spank the US. It's as good as Brazil IMHO but lots of people think that it's actually better than Brazil.

Brazil vs. Spain in the final and it will be a good game.

[VTGreg]

I think Spain is going to spank the US. It's as good as Brazil IMHO but lots of people think that it's actually better than Brazil.

Brazil vs. Spain in the final and it will be a good game.

Spain definitely has the fire power but I think it will be a question of their mind set. They looked great in the opening match against New Zealand but were less than inspired in their second game against Iraq. I do anticipate that the US will be able to field a more competitive team than they did in the first two matches. A win isn't expected but I will surprised if they lose the same way they did against Brazil.

[Thesifer]

Saw the highlights of how they got there, pretty cool.

[zenbooty]

They got balls-ass lucky there.

Great to see it was the Italians who got the shaft, too. I can't stand their game.

[guiseppewv]

Looks like the men's team pulled off a great and well deserved win against Spain! Wooooohooo!

[VTGreg]

Looks like the men's team pulled off a great and well deserved win against Spain! Wooooohooo!

Questionably the best result in the history of US soccer. What a win although they will now have to play without Michael Bradley in the final as he was sent off in questionable fashion. Seriously, 3 red cards in 4 games? I think it may be time to ratchet up the rhetoric with regards to the referees.

[VTGreg]

Brazil vs. US in the final and it will be a good game.

You are very correct sir!

[bachviet]

I was wrong about Spain spanking the US today. The US played an excellent defensive game and took advantages of its chances.

Brazil vs. US and my money is still on Brazil.

[guiseppewv]

Questionably the best result in the history of US soccer. What a win although they will now have to play without Michael Bradley in the final as he was sent off in questionable fashion. Seriously, 3 red cards in 4 games? I think it may be time to ratchet up the rhetoric with regards to the referees.

I have been asking the same questions wrt the referees handing out cards. I feel like I have seen more red cards against the US in the past few games than I have seen in the past year. I did not get to see the first goal and the yellow that accompanied it b/c I was at work - was that card justified?

[VTGreg]

I have been asking the same questions wrt the referees handing out cards. I feel like I have seen more red cards against the US in the past few games than I have seen in the past year. I did not get to see the first goal and the yellow that accompanied it b/c I was at work - was that card justified?

The yellow that Altidore received after the goal was automatic because he took his shirt off. The card Donovan received was questionable at best. It was a late challenge but their was no intent and it was not all that reckless.

I still have not seen the foul that Bradley was sent off for but it sounds like it was an extremely rash decision by the referee. The same could also be said for Ricardo Clark's card. Even Kljestan could have easily been given a yellow instead of the red in the Brazil game. It just seems like the referee's are quick to award a US player with a red card and are giving opponents a bit more latitude with their fouls. Understandable to a degree considering the US is far from a soccer super power but 3 in 4 games in a single tournament should raise quite a few eyebrows.

[zenbooty]

I was wrong about Spain spanking the US today. The US played an excellent defensive game and took advantages of its chances.

Brazil vs. US and my money is still on Brazil.

Brazil's still got to get through the hosting team. Don't forget the home field advantage there.

[bachviet]

US had a good first half today but played like crap in the second half. They packed and played a defensive game but couldn't stop Brazil offense. It should have been 4:2 Brazil if the linesman didn't miss the goal by Kaka.

[guiseppewv]

Terrible way to go out. They played flat in the second half and gave the game away.