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: