Confederations Cup: Pain for Spain?

Spanish fans have no reason to panic following the team's third-place finish at the Confederations Cup. The reigning European champs were knocked off in the semis by a scrappy US squad and were less than impressive against South Africa in the third-place game, but one loss in 37 matches shouldn't impact their standing as favorites heading into next year's World Cup.

But from a strategical standpoint, the question should be asked: did the US write the book on how to beat Spain? The States' well-executed strategy of pushing the Spaniards to the flanks and forcing chip-ins by clogging up the middle will be replicated by future opponents.

So where does Spain go from here? Will the loss serve as a motivator or dent their confidence? From a confidence standpoint, a loss to the US was probably less damaging than if La Roja had fallen to Brazil in the Final. Spain knows on their best day they can beat teams like the US. A defeat against Brazil may have left them with more internal questions. We won't learn much from upcoming World Cup qualifiers; Spain are cruising against lesser foes. Next summer's World Cup will show if Spain and their opponents are ready to apply lessons learned in South Africa.

Confederations Cup: A Silver Lining for the States

There was something meaningful about the tears in Client Dempsey's eyes following the United States' 3-2 loss to Brazil in today's FIFA Confederations Cup Final. The US came to this tournament eyeing experience; both with the host venue for next year's World Cup and against some of the top opponents on the planet. But when the final was over, Dempsey's emotion reflected a team that wasn't satisfied with valuable lessons and moral victories. This was a squad that came agonizingly close to capturing a first-ever FIFA tournament and the fact that there were no smiles over second speaks to how far this US squad came over the past two weeks.

While the second half of the match was a cruel stomach punch to US players and fans, there is much to be proud of and excited about heading into 2010. Most encouraging was the play of Dempsey and Landon Donovan. The criticism both players have faced is the by-product of their great potential. In South Africa, that potential was fully realized; their goals today were the types of world-caliber strikes that have too often been missing from the US team. Tim Howard's play in the tournament, paired with the experience he gains playing in the Premier League, shows the States will have a top notch goaltender to call on next summer.

The expectations will be raised for next year's World Cup. So much depends on the draw and the opponents the USA will face, but as of today, a repeat of the 2002 run to the quarterfinals appears very doable. Perhaps there will be even more. The win over Spain and the near-miss against Brazil proves the US can beat anyone in the knockout stages of a tournament.

As the second-place US team took the podium, I was reminded of a Bill Murray line from Caddyshack: "Silver medals...on their chests. These men are...America's best." We should celebrate their achievements, but Dempsey's tears should remind us that greater prizes lay unclaimed.

Confederations Cup: American Glory

The United States soccer team has enjoyed very few days like today. There were the 2002 World Cup victories over Portugal and Mexico, the 1989 victory at Trinidad to send the States to its first World Cup in 40 years, and the 1950 1-0 stunner over England. We won't know the full impact of today's 2-0 upset of Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals for a few years, but the win over FIFA's top-ranked team has a chance to surpass any past glory in terms of signifigance for the program.

Since their surprising run to the 2002 World Cup semifinals, the world has been waiting for the United States to establish itself as a consitent global contender. We are a long way from being ranked alongside Brazil, Italy and Germany, but there's a level just below those superpowers that the US seemed ready to join seven years ago. Today's result could be the first confirmation of our arrival.

Goal.com has a point-counterpoint on the significance of today's result. I'd argue that it's too soon to make that call, but Zac Lee Rigg makes a valid point- one result does not a build a program. He uses Greece's Euro winning squad of 2004 and Iraq's 2007 Asian Cup winners as evidence. The point is well-taken; this result will be diminished if the US doesn't use it has a springboard to a trip to the knockout round in 2010.

But let's worry about 2010 in 2010. Tonight is a time to savor a great result for the US. Showing poise defensively and taking full advantage of their limited offensive opportunities, Bob Bradley's men produced the greatest upset by an American sports team since the Miracle on Ice nearly three decades ago. Now the US has a date in the final on Sunday, likely against Brazil. Take another read of that last sentence. Let's hope you see similar lines many times in the years ahead.

Checking in on the Confederations Cup

Halfway through the Confederations Cup group stages we're getting a better sense of what to expect next summer, both on and off the field. Here's a look at some of the story lines.

Not much has changed for the US since 2006: The US appears no better or no worse than the team that went 0-2-1 at the 2006 World Cup. Team America can hang with the best in the world, but errors at critical moments are keeping them from breakthrough victories. Obviously being down a man was a fatal blow against Italy; the Azzurri had miles of open space in the second half when they scored three times. But what was far more frustrating from an American perspective were the early opportunities squandered by Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, both of whom broke into the box only to fire harmless shots.

The Oceania Qualifying Group needs to be dissolved: When Australia left the OFC after the 2002 World Cup to join the Asian Football Confederation, New Zealand and a collection of small island nations were left behind. For 2010, the winner of the OFC qualifying will take on the fifth place team from Asia for a final spot in the World Cup. Based on New Zealand's performance this week, that fixture should be a cake walk for their Asian opponents. With 5-0 and 2-0 losses to their credit, clearly no purpose is served by having New Zealand in this tournament.

FIFA is sweating all those empty seats: Foreign visitors will turn out in greater numbers next summer, but for the Confederations Cup, FIFA blames poor marketing for the rows of empty seats. As the New York Times explains, the turnout underscores the economic and racial divisions within South Africa.

Those trumpets are going to drive you nuts next summer: Those who are attending the matches are buzzing like bees, the result of the non-stop blaring from plastic trumpets known as vuvuzelas. The collective sound resembles the inside of a hive and reporters such as Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl and USA Today's Beau Dure have railed against the cacophony.

Confederations Cup Preview

With less than a year to go before the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, seven nations are joining the hosts for a sneak preview tournament, the FIFA Confederations Cup. The roster is highlighted by reigning World Champions Italy, top-ranked and European champs Spain and perennial power Brazil. In addition to watching how those powers stack up, the event will be a test for the well-scrutinized South African organizing committee. With the U.S., Egypt, Iraq and New Zealand joining the mix, the tournament should answer a number of questions.

How will Spain handle the role of favorites?: Having shed the label of a team that can't win the big game, Spain come into the Confederations Cup as the popular pick. While the group stage should be a breeze, winning the event will likely require topping Italy and Brazil. Victory in the final will install Spain as the top choice for next year.

What can we expect from South Africa?: This is a two-part question posed on and off the field. The expectation is that World Cup hosts should, at a minimum, advance past the group stage. That may be a tall order for the lightly-regarded South African side. They'll need to show progress here to make the knockout stages a realistic goal for 2010. Then there are the issues of tournament organization. Talk of a "Plan B" has cooled in recent months; a well-run tournament will silence some critics who feel the hosts aren't up to the task.

Are Italy and Brazil back?: Italy have hardly sparkled since celebrating a title in Berlin three years ago, but with several World Cup veterans in place, the Azzurri are still among the best in the world. After a disappointing World Cup in '06, Brazil are regaining their old form under manager and former captain Dunga. The meeting between these sides will be the highlight of the group stages.

Are the United States ready for the world?: Advancing from a group that includes Italy and Brazil is a tall order for any nation. Even a draw against either foe would show that the U.S. and their CONCACAF brethren are ready to contend next year. The U.S. needs to defeat Egypt in their final match, a decent opponent, but one that the States should be topping on a consistent basis.