Benny Feilhaber of the U.S. (C) celebrates with a teammate after defeating Spain in their Confederations Cup semi-final soccer match at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, June 24, 2009. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez (SOUTH AFRICA SPORT SOCCER IMAGES OF THE DAY)I'm still dining on the same plate of crow as every other US soccer fan. Even the thrill of the US' improbable entry into the Confederations Cup semifinals --- by virtue of their 3-0 dismantling of Egypt combined with Italy's utter collapse against Brazil with the same result --- couldn't make me believe that there was any chance of beating #1-ranked Spain. Surely the fire and energy that delivered the win over the Pharaohs would convert right back to the awkward, timid form that marked the first two group games.
I'm very happy to have been so wrong. Nearly every US player on the pitch turned in performances that put them in the running for Man of the Match. For my money, it's a toss-up between GK Tim Howard and CB Oguchi Onyewu, who anchored the US defense against a blistering second-half Spain onslaught.
As I write, Brazil and South Africa are 0-0 in the 69th minute of their semifinal match. The US could conceivably face either squad in the final this Sunday, yet another scenario few could have imagined just a few days ago.
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