United States Loses FIFA Confederations Cup In Closing Minutes

Gambling News - June 28, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

When all the dust settled, and all the smoke cleared, it was Brazil that stood atop the World of Soccer, as champions of the FIFA Confederations Cup. Brazil won the game, against the Americans, by a score of 3 to 2, in a dramatic comeback. It was a very exciting game, and real tale of two halves, one that was dominated by the Americans, in the first half, and the Brazilians, in the second half. In the end, it was Brazil that fought a little harder and can now claim themselves as the best in the World.

Things looked good early for the Americans, as they took a 1 to 0 lead, after just 9 minutes of play. The goal came off the foot of Clint Dempsey, and the Americans celebrated an early lead. Things would get even better for the United States, this time as Landon Donovan, landed one in the back of the net, in the 27th minute. Things were going quite well for the Americans going into halftime, with a 2 to 0 lead.

The second half, would be a different story. It didn't take long for Brazil's Luis Fabiano, to score his 4th goal, in 5 games. As the 46th minute closed out, Brazil found themselves down by just 1 goal. Brazil was constantly on the attack during the second half, as they had for most of the game. The Americans were constantly on defense, and eventually got worn out, against the much more experienced Brazilian team. It would be in the 73rd minute, when Luis Fabiano, would score yet again, tying the game at 2 goals a piece. At this point, Brazil clearly had all the momentum, and it was only a matter of time, before they clinched the FIFA Confederations Cup Final, with their 3rd goal, in the 83th minute. It was the Brazilian captain, Lucio, put on in the back of the net, off a header, which was delivered through a corner kick.

This was a valiant showing for the Americans, but they just came up short. They got beat by a better Brazil team, but they fought to the end, and for more than an hour, they had the World convinced that they could compete. A win in the FIFA Confederations Cup Final would have catapulted Soccer back into the American mainstream, however, that will have to wait until 2010, if even then.

Now that the FIFA Confederations Cup has wrapped up, both teams will start to prepare for the 2010 World Cup, which is also taking place in South Africa. Teams like the champions, Brazil, and others like Spain, Italy, Germany, and England, will all be competing for the real World Championship. The United States will begin qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They must prove themselves, should they want to make a name for American Men's Soccer.