THEIR SHIRTS SAY USA, NO?:

U.S. aiming for upset in Confederations Cup final (ESPN SoccerNet, June 27, 2009)

Skipper Carlos Bocanegra, whose side were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in their Group A encounter on June 18, insists the U.S. will play without fear against their heavily favoured opponents and adopt an entirely different strategy for this match.

Unlike the U.S., Brazil know all about winning major trophies, crowned world champions five times and seeking a third Confederations Cup victory in attempting to retain the trophy they won in 2005.

"The first time we played Brazil we came out a bit timid," Bocanegra said at a news briefing on Friday. "We gave them too much respect.

"We went out and sat back too much, but we changed it against Egypt, playing with a lot of energy from the start and we carried that into the Spain game. We had a go at them for 90 minutes rather than absorb pressure." [...]

Bradley will not be able to choose son Michael for the game, however, after he was sent off towards the end of the semi-final victory.

But he will have the impressive Clint Dempsey in attack and the Fulham forward will be looking to complete an excellent tournament with a winner's medal.

Dempsey has scored twice, including the second against Spain, and was praised by FIFA Technical Study member Holger Osieck for "winning nearly every ball in the air, keeping possession and working hard" in their 3-0 win over Egypt.

Osieck also praised his "tireless" performance against Spain in which besides his goal, he helped set up the first for Jozy Altidore.

Despite the north Americans enthusiasm and new-found sense of belief, Brazil still start as overwhelming favourites.

Although the South Americans know they cannot allow themselves to be out-thought as they were for long periods against South Africa in their semi-final on Thursday, or they might struggle to win with the flourish the world loves to see.

A Daniel Alves free-kick two minutes from time secured their slender 1-0 win over the hosts and midfielder Gilberto Silva says they will be taking nothing for granted.

One of the realities of soccer is that just the question of who gets to referee the game could determine its outcome. Howard Webb from the EPL would allow the sort of physical game that the US plays and for which it has been harshly penalized in this tournament. Meanwhile, the ref who sent off Michael Bradley for a hard but fair challenge has supposedly red-carded an American in every game he's ever officiated involving the USA. [And the folks wonder why Americans don't like the game?]

The loss of Bradley was bad enough in the Spain game but he's covered more ground than any other player in the Tournament and he's not really replaceable for Sunday (hurry Jermaine Jones). Additionally, the core of this team has played with just ten men for a significant amount of time in three of the last four games and while three days off ought to be plenty and coldish weather should help, some fatigue may creep in.

The biggest reason to be hopeful is that Coach Bradley finally had his line-up and formation right late in the Spain game and the US showed the sort of commitment to attack that made it possible to win. Attacking Brazil will be just as important and getting the first goal vital, but they're the best team in the world on counterattack. As Tim Vickery has said, they're the only team for whom an opponent's corner kick is a scoring opportunity for the defenders, as we found out last game. And if they pick up an early goal and we're forced to press forward they'll exploit every chance we give them. So we'll have to maintain a stout central defense but, at the same time, go for goal. Just as it's said that basketball teams that use the press hate to be pressed back, a team that relies on the counterattack can be successfully counterattacked right back if you defend them well.

Happily, the US defense has been terrific the last couple games, with Onyewu and Demerit forming a dominant center and Jonathan Spector playing very well. Carlos Bocanegra is the captain and has the sort of experience Coach Bradley may want on the field, but he had some shaky moments against Spain. Ricardo Clark and Michael Bradley have reinforced that defense from the midfield and whoever replaces the latter (please, God, not DeMarcus Beasley) has to be capable of continuing the partnership. It's the four guys in front of that six who it seems fair to criticize the coach about.

Charlie Davies has shown that he can offer a nice burst of energy for about a twenty minute stretch and he's difficult enough for the other team to account for that it does provide Altidore with some space. But one would think he's best saved for the final twenty minutes rather than spent in the first and then necessarily subbed for.

Clint Dempsey seems to be of the, perhaps justified, opinion that since he can score regularly in the EPL he ought to be a primary offensive option for the USA. He's a completely different player on the front line than in midfield, much more interested and hard-working, and he's got the scent of the net right now. Teamed with Altidore, he'd also give us a physical presence in front of the goal that could create problems for the defense.

Then you put Landon Donovan and Benny Feilhaber in between the front two and the two defensive midfielders and have them provide service for the scorers. Put Feilhaber in the middle of the field--a la Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard--and swing Donovan out wide where he'd have enough room to lift balls into the box. Numerous goals in this tournament have demonstrated that if we just get the ball into dangerous places our physicality can produce scores.

Finally, Tim Howard certainly deserves to start. He just produced a clean sheet against the best team in the world and the best offense by some considerable margin. But he has to stop out-kicking his coverage. We're Americans and we're all mighty impressed that every time he has a goal kick he can boot it all the way down field to the back defensive line, but the object isn't actually to turn over possession on every single kick. And even if he's doing it to temporarily relieve pressure in front of his own goal, giving it away isn't the best option--against Brazil it may be suicidal. A little less foot would produce better opportunities for us to get and control the ball, even if it wouldn't look so pretty.

It's a winnable game and, for once, people in the States might be watching. They got great press coverage after beating Spain and the Sunday afternoon ESPN coverage is convenient. If they manage another upset and do it playing a distinctly American sort of game (as American as soccer can be) they can put the team on the radar, not as a peer of the NFL, college football, NBA, etc., but on par with NASCAR, golf, & hockey and above stuff like UFC, bowling, poker, and the many other sports that get regular tv coverage. Not only would a win be the greatest accomplishment ever for the Men's national team but they could keep the momentum going for their game at Mexico on August 12th, where they've never won. They're a better team than Mexico now and winning there is the last stumbling block to their becoming the dominant side north of the Canal. Americans aren't soccer fans but we are patriots and we love winners and a side in any sport that can beat foreigners, especially ones who are ashamed to lose to us, can develop a following.

But first they better play well on Sunday....

MORE:
U.S. Starting XI vs. Brazil: No Surprises (Jack Bell, 6/27/09, NY Times: Goal)

Who replaces Michael Bradley?

Probably Benny Feilhaber, who entered the match against Spain in the 67th minute, controlled the ball well when he had the chance, calmly started the play that led to the second U.S. goal and was generally a positive factor.

A start for Feilhaber would be a delicious turn of events for the 24-year-old midfielder. Feilhaber was born in Brazil, after his family fled Austria before the start of World War II. They moved to the United States when Feilhaber was a child. [...]

The defense seems to be settled and solid with Tim Howard in goal, Jonathan Spector and Carlos Bocanegra on the flanks, and the imposing tandem of Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu in the middle.

In the midfield, Clint Dempsey, Ricardo Clark and Landon Donovan are mostly likely to be joined by Feilhaber, or perhaps Sacha Kljestan, who was drafted by and played for Bob Bradley at Chivas USA in M.L.S.

The twosome up front is likely to be the same as started and played well against Spain: Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies.

What about playing Bocanegra in Bradley's spot and Bornstein on defense?
Confederations Cup Final Preview: Brazil - U.S.A.: Goal.com rate the chances of the brilliant Brazil and the shock troops of America in Sunday's final in South Africa... (Goal.com, 27 Jun 2009)

Defensively, the pairing of Ogushi Onyewu and Jay Demerit were a towering presence, subduing the prolific David Villa and Fernando Torres like very few sides have achieved previously. They blocked, they headed, they challenged, they were inspirational, and it was a particularly sweet victory for striker Jozy Altidore. His big-money move to Villarreal in 2008 has been a disaster, but he reaped some level of vindication by embarrassing Casillas for the opening goal.

The team, as a whole, will be required to produce a similar level of commitment in the final, but the key factor may be whether Landon Donovan et al still have an element of surprise. It could be questioned if the Spanish superstars took the American challenge seriously enough, but they have paid for their complacency. However, the Brazilians, surely, will be more vigilant.

After a debatable start in the Samba hotseat, coach Dunga has instilled a level of discipline and tactical nous that, so far, has complemented the trickery and style to tremendous effect. World Cup 2010 qualification is almost secured and in this Confederations Cup campaign they have looked extremely comfortable. Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano and the mercurial Robinho have linked superbly in an attack full of pace and agility.

Decision Time for U.S. Before the Final (Jeré Longman, 6/27/09, NY Times: Goal)

Bradley said he was leaning toward Benny Feilhaber, whose skittering move across the top of the penalty area began the sequence that led to the second American goal in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat of Spain. That the United States is playing Brazil is something of note beyond soccer: Feilhaber was born in Rio de Janeiro after his family fled Austria before the start of World War II.

Bradley must also consider whether to stick with a 4-4-2 formation or perhaps use a five-man midfield to provide extra cover in Michael’s absence. In that case, Sacha Kljestan might get a start. It seems unlikely that it will be DaMarcus Beasley, considering Beasley’s elemental blunder in losing the ball on a short corner in the 3-0 group play defeat to Brazil, which became a lightning-fast goal on a counterattack.

Bradley has said that his team feels more comfortable in a 4-4-2. And Jozy Altidore said Friday that he preferred to be paired with another striker.

“Tactically, in every game, you have to weight the different factors,” Bob Bradley said. “At times, there’s a need to make a small tactical adjustment to make a big change in how you play. At the same time, it’s not always the case that we handle those changes well.”

The United States started in a 4-4-1-1 against Italy before losing Ricardo Clark early to a red card, then shifted to a 4-4-1 and a 4-3-2. It has seemed more assured in the 4-4-2 since.

Whether by design or not it clicks when they're in 4-2-2-2.
USA need to change tactics against the Samba style (Jonathan Wilson, June 27. 2009 , The National)

It is Robinho who presents opponents with the greatest tactical conundrum. He plays in an odd three-quarter position, neither forward nor midfielder, neither central nor wide, and thus falls into the sphere of neither right-back nor centre-back to mark.

If a defensive midfielder is assigned to pick him up, that draws resources from the other flank, where both Ramires and Maicon can attack from deep.

South Africa restricted Brazil in the semi-final by taking the game to them, and playing the game largely in Brazil’s half; the reverse of how the USA frustrated Spain in their semi-final, which was to sit deep and deny Spain’s playmakers space to thread passes.

Brazil, it must be expected, will be rather better than they were in the semi-final. In the wake of their astonishing victory over Italy, Brazil may have been underwhelmed by the prospect of a game against dogged minnows. Yet, as Gilberto Silva hinted, South Africa’s man-marking had unsettled them.

That is something for the USA to consider. Certainly to sacrifice the wings and allow their opponents to cross would be a far riskier policy against Brazil than it was against Spain and, besides, USA’s centre will be weakened by the absence of Michael Bradley, the third American to be sent off.

Charlie Davies may again use his pace to try to get in behind Maicon, as he did against Sergio Ramos in the semi-final; he may not have created much from there, but he successfully disrupted the Spanish right as Ramos became reluctant to advance.

It's an all-Americas final: Seasoned Brazil, upstart U.S. meet for Confederations Cup title (Grahame L. Jones, June 28, 2009, Chicago Tribune)

Most recent meeting: Brazil 3, U.S. 0 in a Confederations Cup first-round game on June 18 in Pretoria.

All-time head-to-head record: Brazil, 13 victories and 26 goals; U.S., one victory and eight goals.

Most expensive player: Kaka (Brazil), acquired this year by Real Madrid from AC Milan for $94 million; Jozy Altidore (U.S.), acquired last year by Villarreal from the New York Red Bulls for $10 million.

Oddity No. 1: The American roster has only five players who play in the U.S. The Brazilian roster has only seven players who play in Brazil. The other 34 players are scattered around 11 European countries, Canada and Mexico.

PREVIEW: UNITED STATES - BRAZIL (Brent Latham, June 27, 2009, Yanks Abroad)

The back line will likely remain the same, with captain Carlos Bocanegra nearly entrenched in his new left back role, and having had a few extra days to regain his fitness after a nagging hamstring injury.

Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies have formed a dynamic duo up front, and will hope to continue their exploits in the Americans' first FIFA final.

Dunga brings a exciting team into the final as well. The Brazilians have scored eleven goals over four Confederations Cup matches, but looked far from their best in their semifinal win Thursday over South Africa. A late Dani Alves free kick gave the South Americans the slim victory.

The defending Confederations Cup champs will have to do without his stalwart in the center of defense, Juan, who has been ruled out for the tournament.

The match gets under way at 8:30 local time on what is expected to be a cool, clear evening in South Africa's capital.

Brazil advantage at Confederations final (Fred Kaweesi , 6/27/09, Sunday Vision)

The one difference in the side is likely to be the suspension of Michael Bradley, who was sent-off against Spain.

The counter-attacking prowess of USA could make for an uncomfortable night for Brazil’s back four — especially if the industrious Felipe Melo struggles to offer them protection like it was against South Africa.

Against the Bafana Bafana, Brazil showed signs of fallibility and it remains to be seen whether their lumbering performance was a one-off or the high altitude in Johannesburg will continue to affect their confidence and customary swagger.

With decent players available in every other position, how USA coach Bob Bradley must wish he could call upon a prolific, match-winning striker. Once again this patently isn’t the case, with none of Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies entirely convincing in the crucial role of lone striker that is in their 4-2-3-1 system.

The flip side of this is that USA’s six goals so far at the finals have been spread among five different players, but the lack of a constant threat and reliable source of goals is an undeniable hindrance. The centre back pairing of Oguchi Onyewu and Jey DeMerit has been as strong as any in the competition in the last two games, and will have to be against Brazil’s attack of Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano.

Confederations Cup Soccer Final Preview (Mark Lincir, 6/27/09, 90 Minutes)

Against Brazil Sunday the U.S. needs to start out with the same intensity and commitment to defense that they did against Spain the other day. It will take another grueling day at the office for the U.S. to keep things close and be in a position to get a result.

The only adjustment I would make is to insert Benny Feilhaber at center mid for the suspended Bradley. I actually liked the game that Ricardo Clark had the other day and hope that he has landed on somebody's radar in Europe.

Even though I'm not a huge fan of the 4-4-2 against world-class teams, I think if they play it low pressure, it will still work with Davies and Altidore up front. I was not a fan of Davies initially, but like what he does out there and want to see more of it.

Altidore needs to be allowed to stay more centralized. He needs to use his body and strength to brutalize the Brazilian defense, get shots off in dangerous spots and draw fouls, just like he did the other night against Spain.

I am not quite a Coach Bob Believer yet...but if he can pull off a victory tomorrow, I may well just have to become one.

I do have to give him credit as of late for simply putting the best players in the best spots and going out and playing in the best system possible to earn a result, which he has been doing the last couple of games (how noble, it's only his job!).

A tactical genius he is not. But a practical person who is finally listening to reason (ME) he just might be!

Boca Raton's Jozy Altidore, U.S. soccer hero, is enjoying the American Dream (HAL HABIB, 6/27/09, Palm Beach Post)

A few days after Christmas in 1975, a man named Joseph boarded a plane from Port-au-Prince to New York. He carried $300 in his pocket and hopes of a new life in his head. He couldn't have known that shortly before him, a woman named Gisele was leaving Haiti under nearly identical circumstances.

Their lives first crisscrossed in Orange, N.J. Boarding bus No. 20 one stop after Joseph had, Gisele chose the seat next to his and found that they could talk to each other about most anything. Even marriage.

Although two years passed before they encountered each other again, they began dating, married and eventually moved to Boca Raton - a happily-ever-after story that has everything to do with the United States having an equally improbable shot today at its greatest feat ever in men's soccer.

Joseph and Gisele are better known as the parents of Boca Prep graduate Jozy Altidore, who at 19 years old is a key reason the Americans will face powerhouse Brazil in the Confederations Cup final in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 28, 2009 8:31 AM