DownSwinging.com

Sunday afternoon, the U.S. National Soccer team was set to play a meaningless group game against the surprisingly underrated Egyptians. After consecutive, two and three goal, losses to Italy and Brazil respectively, the Americans were the only side in the four-country group to be considered eliminated, though not statistically, from the Confederations Cup. The Americans went on to astonish the spectators in South Africa, galloping to a 3-0 win over the north-African nation. Goals from Charlie Davis, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey, saw Egypt stunned, and the wrong-footed Italians, looking for answers. I’m surely not the only one that has experienced great frustration when watching the U.S. play in the past several years, since their unlikely ascension to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals. Heart and determination was not something that had been seen or even looked to be bubbling on the surface. That all changed Sunday night. The tie-breaking procedure is based on points, then goal difference, then, if teams are still tied, goals scored (or goals forced). Here is what the group looked like after two of the three games:

An Italian defeat to Brazil and a victory over Egypt would bring the Americans level on points, but as you can see from above, catching up on goal difference would be a different proposition altogether. The U.S. had to beat Egypt by three goals, then count on Brazil to do the same to the world champs. No easy feat. Well, as you know, the U.S.A beat Egypt 3-0 and Brazil dominated a lackluster Italy, winning 3-0, leading to the final table to look like this:As you can see the American’s scored one more goal than the Italians which is why they are now in the Semi-Finals. The Confederations Cup is not a very important Cup, however, it can be a measuring stick with which the United States can evaluate their squad. Needless to say, playing against Honduras and El Salvador doesn’t exactly give Bob Bradley, the U.S. Coach, an adequate challenge. As Bradley heads into his first major tournament one year from now, he needs all of the experience he can get, especially in a tournament which carries the exact same format as the World Cup will.

Therefore, don’t look at this astonishing comeback as a sign of things to come for, what some consider, a highly overrated American team (as they are ranked a generous 14th in the world). But consider it one more rung on the latter, towards America becoming a more established team in the world. The more performances like the one on Sunday, the more confidence this team will have in itself, thus relaying into more positive results.