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the USA men’s national team truly made a positive impact on the world stage in South Africa at the inter-continental FIFA-sponsored soccer tournament that ended Sunday.

Bob Bradley, the chief helmsman, showed the world he can coach! After dropping the first two games in the preliminary rounds with a whopping six goals against and one for, he made necessary adjustments to decimate Egypt 3-0 in the final group game. Then came the semis where they were given no chance against Spain.

Bradley had uncharacteristically shared with the press that he believed he knew how to beat Spain, and beat them he did. 2-0 in a game that featured US’s discipline and technical prowess.

For what they lack in natural grace in ball handling (at least compared to quite a few other nations), US players more than make up for in stamina, discipline, and playing to instructions.

They shut down Spain’s major threats with double, often triple tackles snuffing out attempted shots on goal. Similarly they contained Brazil for all of 45 minutes, going up on the world soccer power 2-0! However, Brazil’s perception seemed like they were playing for more than the Confederation Cup. This occasion was as major as the World Cup and some unheralded team was about to show them up.

Once again “sports analysts” with access to mass media failed to get it when it comes to soccer. All the major news outlet sports desks didn’t see it appropriate to share with the viewing public that

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Luis Fabiano’s 46th minute goal – a quick spin around and blast was the type of stuff that often catches goalies flat-footed. The triangulation of goal coordinates is comparable to Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant releasing the b-ball from a specific spot inside the arc; they know how much weight goes into the launch and what tilt to give to the palm. Luis Fabiano didn’t need to look up; he knew where he was and hit the inside of the net past Tim Howard’s late reaction.

However, my goal of the championship game was US’s 2nd goal. My, what a beauty! I called this “Give and SERIOUSLY Go”. With Brazil committing practically all their 11 players and bench to US’s 3rd of the field, US won the ball and found the fleeting feet of Donovan who split the seams between a retreating full-back and the lone sweeper left in Brazil’s half to lay the ball into wing space for speedy Charlie Davies.

The beauty of the play was in Donovan’s Olympics-calibre 100-meter dash pace after releasing the ball. The center defender was no match – especially considering they were all committed so far up field. With obvious discipline, Davies bent the ball FIRST TIME past the sweeper and out of the range of the center back into Donovan’s path. Donovan neatly dribbled his marker and easily picked his spot in the net. Beauty!

The future is bright for the USA in the most popular sport (most people like me are beyond saying the future is bright for soccer in the USA). There is enough passionate interest in the sport to eventually get truly knowledgeable followers of the game in position to express appreciation for jobs when they’re well done.

Sunday, July 28, 2009, the US served notice to the world to be on the lookout for the Stars and Stripes in 12 months. The way they played, I can proudly wave their banner.

Bolaji - June 28, 2009