US excited to have chance to play Brazil in final

This is kind of exciting. I'm not a big soccer fan, but I do know how extremely important this is to everyone and anyone who lives anywhere but the US. This game will be HUGH!

US excited to have chance to play Brazil in final
By Andrew Dampf, AP Sports Writer


JOHANNESBURG — Landon Donovan remembers the first time he played the Brazilians, when his under-23 team trudged off the field, victims of a 7-0 thrashing.

"I haven't beaten Brazil on any level," the U.S. forward said. "It would be amazing to do it tomorrow."

Amazing, unbelievable, spectacular -- any adjective would apply.

When the Americans play Brazil in the Confederation Cup final Sunday, they have a chance to create a watershed moment in U.S. soccer. The Americans have never won a FIFA tournament -- this is the first time they've even made it to a final -- and a victory over the five-time World Cup champions would signal they are closer than ever to the likes of Spain, England, Argentina, Italy and Germany.

It would be a big hit back home, too, where fans who couldn't tell a corner kick from a handball just a few days ago have suddenly become soccer aficionados.

"For U.S. Soccer, this is a very special day," coach Bob Bradley said Saturday. "It's the first time we're playing in a final of a world competition like this, and to play against Brazil -- everybody knows their history -- is extra special."

more...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2009-06-27-1936603985_x.htm

When you're gonna get your head chopped off, you want it done by the master executioner who'll do it quick and clean, not somebody who might botch it and need two or three strokes. :evilgrin:

Or not. I love underdogs! ;)

(somebody had to ask it.)

So few people are interested in playing soccer. A nation of 300 million and it cannot produce a world-class soccer team?

for something.

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/us-keeps-things-in-perspective/

(devoted soccer hater here) :)

Soccer it the most popular sport world-wide, by far.

I have no problem being different and being in a minority. the assumption that if the rest of the world loves it, it MUST be good, is silly.

It is a very real sport. Real football, where they actually kick the ball with the foot, unlike most of American football.

it's called an opinion. deal with it.


fwiw, i am a human. we evolved opposable thumbs. in soccer, you can't even use them (except on a throw from out of bounds) or as a goalie.

blech!

fwiw, i think the sport of lacrosse is infinitely superior to soccer. and it has a much smaller following than soccer even in the USA.

it's a fricking opinion. soccer sucks. you are free to disagree.

(Damn soccer haters!)

:P

We probably won't win the game but that is OK. If we can stay within one goal anything is possible and we do have strikers that can score. Everyone I know will be watching the game.

For you die-hard fans, I watched a couple of matches yesterday featuring 15- and 16-year old boys, including an "Academy" team of the Chicago Fire. I've played and coached for quite a few years, so I'm very happy to tell everyone that those kids are REALLY GOOD. The skill level, touch, combination play, speed of play were all excellent. And, the size of the players is increasing. Which means that a lot of athletes who might have played basketball, football, or baseball are now choosing soccer. Not that being bigger means everything, because a highly-skilled and athletic smaller player can be a game-changer too; however, large American players with excellent skills have been few and far between.

It won't be long before we are a world soccer power in men's soccer (the women have been there for years).

I'm proud to be a jingoistic American when our team meets Brazil today. GO USA!!

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