Boy Was I Wrong: USA Headed to Confederations Cup Finals

Anthony Emerson by Analyst Written on June 24, 2009
BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 24:  USA players celebrate victorious at the end of their FIFA Confederations Cup Semi Final match against Spain at Free State Stadium on June 24, 2009 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. USA won the match 2-0.  (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Before you read this article, you should read an article I wrote three days ago: "Team USA Soccer: Will They Be This Bad in the World Cup?"

Anyway, in that article, I smash USA soccer. But that's all changed now.

The soccer Gods must've been smiling on the United States when the Americans defeated Egypt 3-0 to get halfway to the FIFA Confederations Cup semifinals. Brazil also had to beat Italy 3-0. And the Brazilians came through with a 3-0 defeat of the Italians.

So in the semifinals, the United States would face off with Spain, the No. 1 team in the world. The Spanish were shocked by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, who scored the only two goals in the game--both for the United States. Altidore scored in the 27th minute, and Dempsey in the 73rd.

Team Spain hadn't lost a game since 2006, and was currently on a 15-game win streak.

But then they ran into the unstoppable train of destiny called Team USA.

This is just the thing to get soccer kick-started in the United States.

The United States will face either Brazil or South Africa. Brazil has already defeated USA 3-0, and the Americans haven't faced South Africa, who is hosting the Confederations Cup.

Brazil's probably going to defeat South Africa and trounce America in the finals. But if by the Grace of God the South Africans defeat Brazil, America could beat South Africa in the finals.

And if America wins the Confederations Cup, that could set off a chain reaction that could vault soccer (and the MLS) to about even with hockey and the NHL, causing the Big Four in North American sporting events to become the Big Five:

MLB Baseball

NFL Football.

NBA Basketball.

NHL Hockey.

FIFA Soccer.

Now doesn't that just sound great?

Vote Now! - Author Poll

Will the United States win the Confederations Cup?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Depends on who we face in the Finals
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Will the United States win the Confederations Cup?

  • Yes

    34.8%
  • No

    34.8%
  • Depends on who we face in the Finals

    30.4%
  • Total votes: 23
(0)
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written on June 24, 2009 Opinion

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