I'm Speechless

After the US Men's National Team was soundly thrashed by Italy and blew scoring chance after scoring chance with wretched finishing, followed by a crushing 3-0 defeat to Brazil, I thought that the US team would be flying back from the Confederations Cup in South Africa after today's game against  Egypt regardless of the result.

I'm so pleased to be wrong:

In a marvelously energetic and entertaining game, played with desperate inspiration from one end of the field to the other, the Americans advanced on the tie breaker of total goals scored after Brazil defeated Italy, 3-0. The United States got exactly what it needed: a victory by three goals and a three-goal loss by Italy.

The United States, Italy and Egypt all finished group play here with 1-2 records. Earlier, the Americans lost to Italy by 3-1, but, unlike in many sports, head-to-head matchups are not the first measure to break ties in soccer tournaments.

Instead, the first tie breaker is the difference between goals scored and goals allowed. The United States and Italy were even at minus-two, while Egypt was minus-three. In the second tie breaker, total goals scored, the Americans prevailed by four to three.

How tenuous was their advancing? One goal by Italy or one fewer goal by the US would have sent Italy through on their head-to-head  record.

That, of course is the good news. The bad news is that the US faces Spain, the number one ranked team in the world in the semifinals. As happy as I am now, I'm not expecting too much in the semis.

Comments

[Tambopaxi]

U.S.:2, Spain:0....!!! That's football for you!!