Thoughts on the USA's Strange Trip to the Rainbow Nation

Analyst Written on June 28, 2009

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 28: Jay DeMerit (L), Carlos Bocanegra and Conor Casey (R) of The USA show their dejection at the end of the FIFA Confederations Cup Final between USA and Brazil at the Ellis Park Stadium on June 28, 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

I'll let you know, for starters, that Grenada is in trouble. No, seriously, they are.

They will be facing a very angry opponent on Independence Day. An opponent that will curse the Sunday they let Brazil come from behind to successfully defend the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Yes, you should know who I am talking about.

The USA gave up a brace to Luis Fabiano and a game-winner to Lucio to allow the Samba Boys to win in Johannesburg, 3-2. And if you are a fan of Bob Bradley's team, you have to be disappointed.

Forget all the jibjab about, oh they were not expected to go far, or the upset over Spain was good enough, or hats off to the USA for a good performance their best-ever finish in the tournament.

A good performence for only one half-one bloody half!-is not a good performance. It's akin to eating greasy fast food from McDonald's and vitamin pills in the same table.

Let's be honest. The USA had a chance to win this match. The players needed to consolidate and prevent Brazil from rallying in the second half.

They could not.

It's these second-half performances that have doomed the USA in Germany three years ago.

And playmakers who have been in the clutch--from Landon Donovan, to Charlie Davies, to Clint Dempsey, to the likes of Tim Howard, bless his heart--have to be incensed that they let this opportunity slip past them. They must, so that their frustrations can be turned into a successful Gold Cup defense, starting at Qwest Field in Seattle.

I am not going to be surprised at all if the coaches are looking at the weaknesses Brazil exploited in the meltdown at Ellis Park. If Bob Bradley's boys want to return to the Confederations Cup in Brazil to have another go at Kaka and his minions, some changes will have to be in order.

And if the USA wants to make a splash like they did here in South Africa, then tuning out all these honors and acknowledgments of the USA's second-place finish at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup is the first step.

Defending the CONCACAF Gold Cup and qualifying for the big show next year are the second and third.

But overall, Grenada is going to be in a world of trouble when they face the United States of America on July 4.

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written on June 28, 2009 Opinion

Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
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