USA v. Spain: Post Mortem

OK, I've had a couple of hours to decompress from that surprisingly tense semi-final. And I say "surprisingly tense" because I really wasn't sure we were gonna be in this match for long. I know Spain didn't look great against Iraq (or South Africa for that matter), but I chalked that up to them taking it easy waiting for the knockout stages. Yes, the US played a great game against Egypt, but, c'mon it was Egypt. Don't get me wrong, they are a good side, but they are no Spain.

Anyway, here are some of the highlights from the press roundups:

New York Times:

Unlike that loss to Brazil last week, though, the Americans were confident, not nervous, in the opening minutes Wednesday. They bothered Spain with early high pressure, and the defense remained alert and cohesive throughout. By kickoff, the temperature had dipped near freezing early in the Southern Hemisphere winter, and Spain’s attack immediately congealed.

Tackling by the United States was superb, deference was nonexistent, recovery was vigilant and dramatic:

A muscular shoulder halted a Spanish run. A head arrived just in time to clear a ball away. A desperate slide smothered a shot. A leg raised at the last second deflected a threatening pass.

After a 3-0 win over Egypt on Sunday and an unlikely advance to the semifinals after defeats to Italy and Brazil, the United States’ previous caution became assertiveness. Against a team so secure in possession of the ball, the United States dictated the action at times, while Spain seemed back on its heels, out of sorts, its players grumbling and frustrated, raising their arms and leaning their heads back in exasperation.

Goal.com:

So how did it happen? What magical tactics were used to help the U.S. pull of this shocker? Here are my initial reactions to what I just saw, even if my eyes don’t believe it happened.

Tim Howard: Without question, my man of the match. Save after save, Howard was subject to a furious red firing squad for most of the match, and well, look at the score. The usually lethal Spanish frontmen couldn’t beat Howard who looked as good as he ever has.

The Midfield: Against Italy and Brazil, the center four players in the U.S. XI were non-existent. Not only that, but when on the ball, it just seemed like they wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible and they certainly didn’t show any determination. The same can’t be said about their performance in the Spain match. Flowing and aggressive, the ball was pushed around the pitch at will they made their opposition look lackluster for stretches, particularly in the first half.

The Center Backs: How strong were Oguchi Onyewu and Jay Demerit? For the entire 90 minutes they played excellent defense, guarding Tim Howard’s net like two hawks guarding their nest (the way it should be played, mind you). Every time the ball came inside, it was immediately sent flying in the other direction thanks to Onyewu and Demerit’s play in the middle. Much of the credit has to go to them.

The BBC:

Time and time again in the first half, the USA managed to read Spain's trademark killer passes by sticking tight to potent forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres.

In fact, prior to USA's goal, Spain's best opportunity fell to Liverpool hot-shot Torres whose attempt at a volley from six yards was superbly scuppered by Watford's Jay DeMerit.

What was starkly apparent on the Free State Stadium pitch, was the superior athleticism of the Americans.

On occasions during the opening 45 minutes, they had as many people in their attacking third as they did in their own box.

They went close on a couple of occasions before taking the shock lead, with Charlie Davies sending his bicycle-kick two yards wide before Dempsey missed by the same margin with a low 20 yard drive.

The goal came as a result of a one-two between Carlos Bocanegra and club team-mate Dempsey who found well-built forward Altidore.

The Villarreal striker turned Capdevila far too easily before smacking his drive, which Iker Casillas only managed to get a weak hand to en route, into the back of the net.

The Kansas City Star:

The United States' 2-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup Wednesday was nothing short of miraculous.

As I said when they were losing earlier games, it wasn't just the results, it was the way they went about the game. But, clearly, the fact that they're now in their first Confederations Cup final is a bonus.

I'd joined a chorus of voices after the first couple games of this tournament calling for head coach Bob Bradley to be fired. The reasons, at the time, were obvious. The team was playing without passion, without commitment and without a clue.

But, as the book title tells us, that was then. On Wednesday, Bradley's U.S. team was brilliant. If it needs saying, here it is: Bradley has certainly now earned the right to coach this team through next summer's World Cup.

This is what the Americans look like when they're at their best. They were energetic and fast. They made the most of what the game gave them. They took space away from the Spanish side, closing them down on both ends throughout the first half.

They gave up more possession than they kept, but Spain fielded an entire team of players who are more skilled than the U.S. This was a Spanish team that had just set a record for consecutive victories, and was hoping to set a record for consecutive games without a loss on Wednesday.

But when the Americans got ahold of the ball, they pushed forward quickly and smartly. Special praise has to go to Landon Donovan, who baffled the Spanairds from the wings (both wings, as he switched back and forth with Clint Dempsey).

Donovan always works hard, but too often he's looked lost. Now, he's finally found a permanent home. Playing on the edge of the field he's able to control the flow of the American attack, and the U.S. is much the better team for that.

In addition to Donovan, the American defense was stunning, from Tim Howard in goal, to Jonathon Spector to Gooch. But no on the field played any better than Jay DeMerit. DeMerit is always all action, all effort, but light on experience and skill. Wednesday, he controlled arguably the world's best striker in Fernando Torres. It was a defensive masterclass, from a defender who had many wondering if he'd ever graduate.

I'll add a couple of observations:

1. This game was nothing like the US topping Brazil 1-0 back in the day. Howard had to be good today, real good, but he did not have to make a ton of miracle saves as Keller did against the Brazilians. Where the US excelled today was in getting defenders between the Spanish shots and the goal. I've never seen a US side block as many shots as this one did today. Gooch and DeMerit were great, and Spain seemed a little surprised by their ability to recover quickly.

2. We still look out of sorts in midfield. Clark played better, but he is still making bad decisions, not supporting the attack when he should and not playing the smart ball when needed. Donovan played a good game out wide, but Dempsey played too centrally at times.

3. I love playing Davies up front with Altidore. Until Davies legs fall off this should never change. I don't think I've seen Davies play a minute before this tournament (or if I did it didnt register) but I think I love him.

My ratings:

Howard: 8
Bocanegra: 7
Onyewu: 7
DeMerit: 8
Spector: 7
Clark: 6
Bradley: 6
Donovan: 7
Dempsey: 7
Davies: 7
Altidore: 8

Feilhaber: 6
Casey: NR
Bornstein: NR

Final note: If FIFA doesn't rescind the red card to Bradley they are pond scum.