U.S. vs. Brazil Live Commentary

2009-09-04T15:14:24-04:00

2009-06-28T14:01:45-04:00

201

2009-06-28T14:01:45-04:00

2009-06-28T17:13:50-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/521/000/thumb/paul_scholes.jpg 980 IN

SoccerUnderground

Fort Wayne 521440

Go check the figures on attendance at World Cups throughout history. Once you have found out that the highest attendance was at the 1994 Cup, hosted by the US (with just 24 teams back then, mind you), then come back to the forum and tell us how soccer is just not our game.

193 In the United States of America, American football, basketball and baseball undoubtedly reign supreme amongst sports fans - but it's impossible to miss the enthusiasm for and growth of soccer in the country. Purists the world over of course call the beautiful game ???football', but with American football so entrenched, in the United States it's ???soccer' that's making waves in this sports-mad country. A startling sign of the popularity of the game and the country's appetite for a sport which has by far the biggest global appeal, is the fact that United States soccer fans have already purchased over 93 300 tickets for matches at next June's 2010 FIFA World Cup??? in South Africa. This is - outside of fans in the host country - by far the highest number of tickets purchased by any country's residents for individual match tickets, considerably more than fans from the likes of football powerhouses Germany, Spain, Brazil and Holland for instance. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1064298.html 5903971

2009-06-28T18:28:39-04:00

Paul J Sharp

No City 415720

In the United States of America, American football, basketball and baseball undoubtedly reign supreme amongst sports fans - but it's impossible to miss the enthusiasm for and growth of soccer in the country. Purists the world over of course call the beautiful game ???football', but with American football so entrenched, in the United States it's ???soccer' that's making waves in this sports-mad country. A startling sign of the popularity of the game and the country's appetite for a sport which has by far the biggest global appeal, is the fact that United States soccer fans have already purchased over 93 300 tickets for matches at next June's 2010 FIFA World Cup??? in South Africa. This is - outside of fans in the host country - by far the highest number of tickets purchased by any country's residents for individual match tickets, considerably more than fans from the likes of football powerhouses Germany, Spain, Brazil and Holland for instance. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1064298.html

209 Are You sure those tickets are to fans to attend matches or to be sold on for profit? 5904384

2009-06-28T18:17:38-04:00

Jab00

washingtion 441693

208 The U.S. played with a lot of heart. Their tactics in the first half was spot on. However, Brazil is no Spain and their sheer talent won them the game in the second half. I think the success in this Confed cup may be a Pyrrhic victory for the US. Now more teams will not overlook the US and the USMNT may find it more difficult to sneak up on teams and score one or two quick goals. Spain was not expecting it. Brazil thought the US win over Spain was a fluke. Both teams underestimated the USMNT and payed for it dearly. Many teams will not make that same mistake in SA2012. 5904345

2009-06-28T17:52:14-04:00

167

Fanatico do Selecao Brasileira

North Miami Beach 86366

206 Zamu, Irmao - I meant the USA, actually. They had their hopes, they had their dreams - now all is in the right place, but to bash Americans over just a game is silly. And I'm a Russian born in Rio de Janeiro and living in the US for the last 32 years. 5904219

2009-06-28T18:00:48-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/622/601/thumb/zico.jpg 2583 NV

The Las Vegas Genius

Las Vegas 623241

Zamu, Irmao - I meant the USA, actually. They had their hopes, they had their dreams - now all is in the right place, but to bash Americans over just a game is silly. And I'm a Russian born in Rio de Janeiro and living in the US for the last 32 years.

207 Thank you. Let's not forget the most important thing- this was one of the most entertaining finals in years. Brasil won the match, but the fans who watched were treated to a cracker of a match. Congratulations all around. 5904223

2009-06-28T17:52:14-04:00

167

Fanatico do Selecao Brasileira

North Miami Beach 86366

2009-06-28T17:49:58-04:00

167

Fanatico do Selecao Brasileira

North Miami Beach 86366

205 Mr. Mac - for the record, it's "BRASIL". 5904215

2009-06-28T17:22:56-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/521/000/thumb/paul_scholes.jpg 980 IN

SoccerUnderground

Fort Wayne 521440

200 i know sasha was a bad idea, and casey.........(sigh) 5904039

2009-06-28T17:37:46-04:00

175

Shaun822

Dracut 639833

i know sasha was a bad idea, and casey.........(sigh)

204 I'm just left to hope that they only put in Casey so that they have a big tall target on set pieces 5904121

2009-06-28T17:25:10-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/521/000/thumb/paul_scholes.jpg 980 IN

SoccerUnderground

Fort Wayne 521440

201 how old is davies? 5904043

2009-06-28T17:26:59-04:00

273

Mr Mac

Las Vegas 737792

how old is davies?

203 Isn't he in his early 20's? I'm not sure, but he's got a long time left... 5904030

2009-06-28T16:58:27-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/787/37/thumb/Prince.jpg 221 FL

mradidas

79037

Braziiiiiiiiiiil 3 x 2 USA ! Congratulation to both teams from Brazil !

168 i believe the Final score is actually Brazil 4-2 USA 5903880

2009-06-28T17:25:49-04:00

Guilpan

No City 802427

i believe the Final score is actually Brazil 4-2 USA

202 Yes i think too, but the judge didn't validated some of the goals ;/ 5904057

2009-06-28T17:25:10-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/521/000/thumb/paul_scholes.jpg 980 IN

SoccerUnderground

Fort Wayne 521440

201 how old is davies? 5904043

2009-06-28T17:22:56-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/521/000/thumb/paul_scholes.jpg 980 IN

SoccerUnderground

Fort Wayne 521440

200 i know sasha was a bad idea, and casey.........(sigh) 5904039

201

Last thought from Frankie Hejduk who, most likely, isn't wasting a good beer by crying in it: "That's what a final should be like. Both teams played well and fought hard." Our thanks to the Dude for sticking with us during the game -- he'll be back on the field, no doubt for the U.S.' World Cup qualifier in Mexico City in August. Stay tuned for coverage from SI's all-stars in Johannesburg: Grant Wahl's postgame thoughts and a follow-up column later on from Gabriele Marcotti. Postgame: It's a bit of a depressing end to a fantastic run for the U.S. at the Confederations Cup. For 45 minutes, it looked like the Americans were going to win their first major trophy. But the U.S. earned some respect at this tournament -- I can't tell you how many e-mails and texts I've received from my English, Spanish and Brazilian friends telling me how impressed they were with the Americans' performance in South Africa, especially after the debacles of the first two games. The U.S. walks out of this tournament knowing that it can compete with the best teams in the world, especially when it's properly motivated and prepared. That's a huge dose of confidence to ride heading into next summer's World Cup, in the same country. Some U.S. players did themselves especially proud and can use their performances to move to bigger clubs and leagues, or to play more prominently with their current teams -- Onyewu, DeMerit, Davies and Spector come most immediately to mind. FULL TIME. Brazil 3, U.S. 2. What a heartbreaker. The Americans came out the better team, took advantage of their chances and looked like they could pull off the biggest upset of all. In the end, Brazil's depth, talent and experience was too much. The U.S. did absolutely everything it could and should hold its head up high. It was a matter of running out of gas and the favorites kicking it into extra gear. 90'+2: Brazil is still pushing forward, taking more time off the clock. Doesn't look good for the Yanks. 90': U.S. is running out of chances. Dempsey can't get on the end of a Donovan cross. 87': Hejduk: "In shock... But there's still time." 86': The U.S. has given up three unanswered second-half goals after dominating Brazil in the first half. But the first goal was the one that woke the sleeping giant. This should come as a surprise to no one -- we all knew the Seleção were capable of this. Gut check time for the U.S. It's time to throw everything and the kitchen sink at Brazil. 85': GOAL Brazil! 3-2. That's the dagger. Lúcio puts in a header off a corner that Howard has no chance on. 84': The U.S. needs to get Davies out of the game. He has played very well -- despite some wasted chances -- but is tiring and is a defensive liability out there. 83': The game has busted wide open now, and both teams are spreading the field. Robinho fires a rocket from the top of the box that sails over Howard. 80': Ten LOOOONG minutes to go. Unless there's extra time, of course. Can any of us handle that? 79': Donovan's long free kick is picked out of the sky by Júlio César. You can't ask for a better effort from that far away, and Brazil's keeper is one of the best in the biz. 75': Altidore is the offensive sacrifice as Sacha Kljestan comes in to the midfield. Feilhaber is also out for good friend and fellow Orange County, Calif., native Jonathan Bornstein, who subs in at left midfield, which is a defensive substitution. Kljestan is going to have his hands full. 74': GOAL! TIE GAME! Kaká charged up the left side and Elano's header nearly crosses the line, but is off the crossbar. But Luís Fabiano buries the rebound for his second goal. 73': Davies again with a wasted run. Good defense by Luisão, but I think Bradley needs to think about making a sub to get some fresh legs out there. Might be time to sacrifice an attacker to get a ball-winner in there. If only Michael Bradley weren't lost to a red card against Spain -- Clark would've been the ideal sub. 70': Yellow card on Lúcio for giving Altidore a little extra there. Pure intimidation ploy. 67': Ramires is off, thankfully, but in comes Manchester City star Elano -- and Dani Alves. Brazil's depth is absolutely terrifying. 66': Donovan puts a nice shot on goal, and a minute later, so does Dempsey. Best aggression we've seen from the U.S. this half. 64': Brazil is really buzzing around the net right now and looks very, very dangerous. The U.S. is bringing everyone back and the tension is thick. Even captain Lúcio has come forward for Brazil, and Ramires is starting to look more dangerous on the left wing. 62': From one replay, just to right of goal mouth, sure looks like the ball crossed the line. Yikes. 60': WOW. Kaká's header just missed crossing the line before Howard got a hand on it. Not sure how that didn't go in, but that's the closest Brazil has come yet to adding another strike. Bocanegra lost his marker there. Can't tell from the replay if the ball crossed the line. 58': Lúcio's header off a corner is punched away by Howard. Another tense moment. 57': The U.S. looks a little deflated and that's not good. A one-goal lead on Brazil may as well be the same as a two-goal lead. They need to stay aggressive and careful -- there is zero room for error, especially in communication between Howard and the back line. Brazil is going to keep heaping the pressure on and has a ton of fresh bodies on the bench it can put in. I'm waiting for Dani Alves to starting warming up. 53': Chance wasted by Davies on the counter. He held onto it too long when he should have given it back to Donovan. Davies is swallowed by Kaká and Brazil comes back. 50': Frankie on Brazil's goal: "What a great turn and finish. U.S. has to stay composed." 47': GOAL Brazil! 2-1. Now this changes things. Luís Fabiano spins DeMerit around for a quick goal to open the half. Now we can get nervous. More halftime thoughts: I just asked Hejduk if he's proud of the job Spector is doing at his usual right back position. His response: "The back line is playing great. Need more of the same in the second half... and yes, I can believe this. No team is bigger than the game." Halftime thoughts from Frankie: "Great half. U.S. needs to continue to weather the storms that Brazil sends and continue to counterattack. Great team effort." HALFTIME: The U.S. is 45 minutes away from history. The Americans came out with speed, aggressiveness and confidence and really have Brazil on its toes. The job Jonathan Spector is doing on the wing to slow down both Kaká and Robinho has been legendary. Another half of that kind of lockdown and the U.S. is in good shape. In the center of the field, Clark is doing what Bradley has called on him to do -- bust up the passing and put a body on anyone charging through. There's a long way to go. Brazil is the type of team that can put two goals on the board at any time. But if the U.S. keeps absorbing defensive pressure and stay alert for the counterattack, it could be in good shape. 45': U.S. is feeling the pressure as the half comes to an end. The Americans need to get into that locker room and catch their breath. 41': Howard with a fingertip save on a Robinho rocket. 39': Davies with the nice try on the counterattack. Good run, just lost the handle. Brazil comes back and is flagged offsides. Bullet dodged. 37': Yellow card on Santos for the trip on Altidore at the edge of the box. Nice move by Jozy to get away. Donovan's free-kick is cleared away. 35': Another huge save by Howard on Andre Santos. The man is a beast. 33': The energy and fight the U.S. is bringing to this game is a sight to behold. There's a long way to go and a lot of Brazil to deal with, but if you're a U.S. fan, you are loving this right now. Some of the best play we've ever seen in the three-year-old Bob Bradley regime. 31': Hejduk on Donovan's goal: "What a counterattack... textbook style! Go on, U.S." (For those just tuning in, U.S. national-teamer Frankie Hejduk is texting in periodic commentary from... a bar in Columbus. Who doesn't love Frankie?) 28': Perfect use of the counterattack. Donovan scooped up a loose ball and turned and burned, laying off a beautiful lead ball to Davies up the left side, who slotted back to Donovan for the finish. Holy cow, is the U.S. really up 2-0 on BRAZIL?!? 27': GOAL! 2-0 U.S.! Unbelievable finish by Donovan. 27': Howard makes another big save on a bullet by Kaká, and then another. Is Timmy on his way to becoming the best keeper in U.S. history? Yellow card to Felipe Melo for a little touch on Onyewu's back. 23': U.S. is playing very good, disciplined defense. Not like the slide-tackling efforts against Spain, but more getting bodies on the ball and cutting off the lanes. Nice work so far. 20': Frankie: "High pressure -- making Brazil work!" 19': Stupid yellow card on Bocanegra for trying to football-tackle Kaká. Wrong sport, 'Los. 18': I have been extremely impressed by the play of DeMerit at center back in this tournament. The Watford man has played every game there in place of Bocanegra, who has been battling a sore hamstring (Boca's now in the lineup as left back). As Soccer America's Ridge Mahoney wrote, he's playing every game like it might be his last. 15': Couldn't ask for a better start from the Americans. The goal has give them some momentum and they are not at all intimidated by the Brazilians. Lots of pressure up front. 14': Hejduk on Dempsey's goal: "Whoa, what a goal. Great ball, great finish. Incredible start." 13': Big save by Howard off a Robinho shot. Scary any time that guy has the ball. 12': I'm not sure Dempsey wasn't trying to put the ball down for Altidore instead of scoring, but whatever. That's Clint's third goal in the last three games. 10': GOAL! U.S. leads 1-0. Spector with a HUGE crossing ball from the right side that somehow finds its way to Dempsey on the edge of the box. A little lucky, yes. But that's what the U.S. is counting on. Now it gets interesting. 7': Kaká muffs a chance on a header off a corner kick. Whew. U.S. needs some attacking momentum. 6': I like the U.S.' energy early on. The problem with this Brazil team is that all it takes is one moment of individual brilliance or one passing sequence and you find yourself down a goal. The Americans MUST keep bodies on Kaká and right back Maicon in particular. The Brazilians are piling on the pressure. 3': Tentative early shot from distance by Dempsey. Clearing out the cobwebs. Clark just missed a through ball up the left to Davies. 2': Good early energy from the U.S. Brazil is going to run them ragged, though -- it'll be tough to keep up this kind of intensity. 1': Frankie: "Good energy around the stadium! Definitely feels like a final. Starting to get amped up!" 2:35 p.m. ET: Here we go. Let's hope it's a good day to be an American. 2:30 p.m. ET: Stirring tribute for Marc-Vivien Foé, the Cameroonian midfielder who died of a heart attack on the field during a Confederations Cup game in 2003. One of the greatest tragedies in the game's history. 2:25 p.m. ET: Here's the U.S. lineup: Tim Howard in goal; Jonathan Spector, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra on defense; Ricardo Clark and Benny Feilhaber in central midfield; Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan in deep attack positions; Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore up front. The pairing in central midfield will be key to this game -- Clark will be called upon to try to disrupt Brazil's attack (yikes) while the Rio de Janeiro-born Feilhaber will be the main distributor for the Americans. 2:20 p.m. ET: Interesting nugget from U.S. Soccer: Brazil hasn't allowed a goal in its last 305 minutes of action in the Confederations Cup, while the U.S. hasn't allowed a goal in its last 208 minutes. Obviously, something's gotta give here. Brazil has been a muscle-bound team on the defensive end of the ball, which is a decidedly un-Brazil-like tactic. But they've also been fantastic on the counterattack, springing forward with numbers and speed, particularly through guys like Kaká, Dani Alves and Ramires. Says Frankie: "They're great on the counterattack, be we have been, too. They're going to have most of the possession and there's not much we can do about that -- they're Brazil. But we can make things difficult for them on the counterattack." 2:15 p.m. ET: If you've been following this tournament, you know this isn't the same U.S. team that got blown out in its first two games against Italy and Brazil by a combined 6-1. That group was tentative and overmatched, and looked bizarrely unmotivated and lacking in heart. The gut-check of the the Americans' last two games -- 3-0 over Egypt and then the historic 2-0 victory over world No. 1 Spain in the semis -- has shown a completely different group with a new mind set. As Frankie said, if the U.S. comes out with confidence and on a mission, this is going to be a very different game than that rout by Brazil in the group stage. 2 p.m. ET: This is it, folks -- the most important game the U.S. national team has played in seven years, and arguably ever (I'll let that debate be). Today's Confederations Cup final against Brazil (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Univisión) marks the first time the U.S. has ever appeared in a final of a FIFA tournament, and should the U.S. pull off another upset, it will mark undoubtably the greatest two-game stretch in national-team history. I'll be here the entire game to provide commentary, along with a special guest: U.S. defender Frankie Hejduk, who was a last-minute scratch from the roster due to a groin injury (ouch!). Frankie will be adding his thoughts via text message from Columbus, Ohio, where he'll be watching the game as a fan and hoisting a brew with Columbus Crew fans. Frankie, your early thoughts? "I'm pumped! I wish I could be there, helping them out -- it's killing me for sure. But I'm psyched to be a fan today. We need to come out with the same insane attitude we did against Spain, to have pride in the colors. If we do that, we'll make life difficult for Brazil. It isn't going to be easy, but I think we've got a good shot." Game on. 68921 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/459/8/thumb/freedman_jonah.jpg 12 CA

Jonah Freedman

San Francisco 4618