USA in FIFA Finals

The FIFA Confederations Cup is held every four years, in the year preceding the World Cup. Considered a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, the tournament is not as significant as the grand-daddy of them all, but it is important in establishing which countries will be the teams to watch in the following year’s World Cup, and is still good for international bragging rights. Whereas 32 teams participate in the World Cup, only eight can qualify for the Confederations Cup. Six spots are held for the winners of the six FIFA confederations: UEFA (Europe), CAF (Africa), CONMEBOL (South America), AFC (Asia), CONCACAF (North and Central America, Caribbean), and OFC (Oceania). The seventh spot is given to the reigning World Cup champion, and the eighth to the tournament’s host country. (The host of Confederations Cup is also the host of the following year’s World Cup).

This year’s Confederations Cup was held in South Africa, and was important for the USA because it was marked by surprising—albeit lucky—upsets on behalf the Americans. After early losses to Brazil and Italy in group play, only under the most unlikely circumstances could the US qualify for the semifinal round. In the third round of group play, the US played Egypt and Brazil faced Italy. The American team could not advance with only a win on their part; they had to win by three goals. They could not advance with only a three-goal victory over Egypt; Brazil had to defeat Italy. They could not advance with only a three-goal victory over Egypt and a Brazilian victory; Brazil had to win by at least three goals. As you can see, the US had their work cut out for them. Often, soccer games see less than three goals between each team!

Considered the underdogs against Egypt, the Americans had a surprising 1-0 lead when Brazil-Italy’s final score flashed on the scoreboard: 3-0, Brazil. If the US could score two more goals and keep Egypt scoreless, they would advance to the semifinals. In the 71st minute, Charlie Davies scored the goal that put USA through to the finals.

But this was just the beginning for the Americans. Spain, riding a 35 game unbeaten streak in international play, was waiting to eat the American team like tapas. The Spaniards had outscored opponents in the tournament 9-0 in three games of group play and controlled the ball for nearly 60% of the game each of the three games. Should, by some stroke of luck, the Americans beat the #1 team in the world, it would be their first finals appearance in a FIFA-sponsored tournament ever. The few, the proud—the soccer fans of America, prayed for a victory, and the FIFA gods listened over the buzz of the vevuzela trumpets that permeated all of South Africa this week. The United States defeated Spain 2-0, and advanced to the Confederations Cup finals.

This Sunday, they will face a deep Brazil team, to whom they lost seven days ago in their second tournament game. Since that match, however, the Americans are 2-0 and have not allowed a single goal. The Brazilians struggled to score against a valiant South Africa team, but finally did in the 88th minute in their semifinal round. Come Sunday, Brazil will have but two days of rest after their grueling match against the hometown favorites, and the US will be coming off a full three days of rest and preparation. That extra day of rest and the newfound confidence after beating the best team in the world could be what America needs to beat Brazil in the finals. I know I talk a lot about soccer and hockey trying to create a broader fanbase in America, but this animated tournament and unexpected success will go a long way in creating interest among casual soccer fans here in America.