Taking a 2-0 lead into halftime during the FIFA Confederation Cup championship game was Team USA. Who would have ever thought they could score two goals against Brazil in the first half, much less a whole game? I'll be honest, not I.
But there I was getting ready for church Sunday afternoon, buttoning up my shirt, tying my tie, grooming the best I could and watching this match unfold before my eyes.
The first USA goal was a stunner. I literally had to pinch myself to make sure I was awake. However, the second USA goal was a thing of beauty. Brazil on the offense and near our goal box with all but two of their players pressing offensively. Then it happened, Team USA's defense popped the ball out to Landon Donovan and the race was on. He had three-quarters of the length of the field to run with only two defenders in his way. He makes a great pass to a teammate - I forget who - and both USA players blew by one Brazilian defender. One defender to go. The teammate passes back to Donovan just outside the Brazilian goal box and Donovan takes advantage of the Brazilian defenders over pursuit by dribbling the ball - one touched it actually - the opposite way then, SHOT....SCORE...Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal! I nearly passed out from the jig I was dancing and all the screaming I could muster.
I decided with Team USA up 2-o, that would be a good time to head for church. Oh how safe and secure I felt throughout the block meeting. I was sure I would come home and find that Team USA had one its first ever FIFA tournament championship. I was 99.87% sure. Oh man, how that last .13% nagged me throughout Gospel Doctrine and Priesthood lessons though.
I kept saying to myself, "...but this is Brazil we're talking about...BRAZIL!" True to form, and true to history, I came home and jumped on the Internet to see the score...and there it was in all its awful glory...Brazil 3, Team USA 2.
Crap. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.
Well, I was hoping for a chance to run to my wife and Eddie and scream, "TEAM USA WON, HALLELUJAH!!!" But instead I got to fill them in on the loss, what a missed opportunity it was and how Team USA always seems to find ways to lose.
Blah!
So where does that leave USA soccer? Well, we did beat number one ranked Spain and we came thisssssssssssss close to beating Brazil. You would think that was a huge step in the right direction. I wonder though, because in both games Team USA was out shot almost 3-1 on goal. Them's is not good numbers.
Hopefully by the 2010 World Cup, we will find Team USA capable of creating more scoring chances.
Go USA!
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