So, that set up a huge match-up of USA vs. Spain.  Spain ranked #1 in the FIFA world rankings, for whatever that’s worth.  They had won 15 games in a row, and they were undefeated in the last 35 going back to 2006.

The U.S. was ready for the task at hand, getting out to a goal lead on a power turn and shot by 19 year-old, Jozy Altidore.  The second half Spain had plenty of chances, Howard and his back line came up huge time after time.   With a 74th minute goal by the Nacogdoches talent, Clint Dempsey, the yanks held on to the 2-0 win, setting up the finals with Brazil.

Brazil needed late heroics to advance on a Daniel Alvez free kick that he was able to curl into the right side netting of the goal.  Really you couldn’t ask for a better start for the Yanks.  In the 9th minute, after looking dangerous form the start, Dempsey again was able to volley in a cross from the impressive West Ham United Right Back, Jonathan Spector.  The US continued to look dangerous throughout the 1st half.   The second goal came on a perfectly executed breakaway by Charlie Davies and Landon Donovan.  This left Landon with an easy finish past the Brazilian goal keeper Julio Cesar in the 27th minute.

Brazil began to play much more organized and by the end of the first half they had a few chances, but the US back line was able to bail them out.  The Second half’s beginning was a sign of how fast Brazil can strike.  In the first minute back after the break Luis Fabiano made a quick turn and a shot through Jay Demerit’s legs to score to Tim Howard’s left.  After the 1st goal, the U.S. backed off and became a defensive shell as Brazil forced U.S. turnover after turnover.  For the final 44 minutes they dug in on the final third, but the Brazilians were simply too crafty and made chance after chance.  In the end, there were too many for the US back 4, which at this point of the game was more like a back 8.

Luis Fabiano was able to head in a ball sent to the box by a cross by Kaka, tying it at 2-2 in the 74th minute.  After this goal, the U.S. showed a bit of potential to hold the Brazilians @ 2 goals and force extra time, but a late corner kick set up the Brazilian Captain, Lucio (who I swear has make-up on),  to beat Dempsey’s attempt to clear and put the 3rd goal away past Howard.  There were also a couple of other near goals for Brazil.  One of which really looked like the entire ball got past the line, but the linemen didn’t call it a goal.  3-2 Brazil was the final, but it could’ve been worse.

So, after the tournament got to such a sore start, the Americans were able to regroup, come up with 3 solid efforts, and play probably their best football in a really long time. This might have been their best since their 2002 World Cup run to the quarterfinals, which inevitably lead to a 0-1 loss to the hands of football power Germany, a game dominated by the Americans.

This tournament has me completely stoked for the World Cup next year!