BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (June 24, 2009) — In one of the greatest matches in U.S. Soccer history, the U.S. got goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey to stun No. 1-ranked Spain 2-0 and advance to the finals of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. The U.S. Men's National Team will face the winner of the other semifinal match between Brazil and South Africa in their first ever final in a FIFA tournament on Sunday, June 28 in Johannesburg.
Altidore ignited the upset with a fantastic show of strength and skill to score from the top of the 18-yard box in the 27th minute, while Dempsey surprised the Spaniards to provide the insurance goal in the 74th minute. Tim Howard, who returned to goal after resting for the final group match against Egypt, made eight saves to match an impressive performance by the U.S. defense, which shutout Spain to snap their world record 15-game winning streak and 35-game unbeaten streak.
"For us it's a big night," said U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley. "The players all work hard. We constantly talk about reaching higher and trying to accomplish new things. Spain is a team that we have the greatest respect for. They are a super team. Their ability to play, pass and move. We knew it was a challenge, but we felt that we would have a chance and that we could win this game.
"We had a real confidence that we could try to make it harder for them than some of the other teams they have played against, and we had the weapons that could cause them some trouble. We have some speed up front. We have some guys that come out of the midfield. I think that those are all things that work for us."
Altidore ignited the upset with a fantastic show of strength and skill to score from the top of the 18-yard box in the 27th minute, while Dempsey surprised the Spaniards to provide the insurance goal in the 74th minute. Tim Howard, who returned to goal after resting for the final group match against Egypt, made eight saves to match an impressive performance by the U.S. defense, which shutout Spain to snap their world record 15-game winning streak and 35-game unbeaten streak.
"For us it's a big night," said U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley. "The players all work hard. We constantly talk about reaching higher and trying to accomplish new things. Spain is a team that we have the greatest respect for. They are a super team. Their ability to play, pass and move. We knew it was a challenge, but we felt that we would have a chance and that we could win this game.
"We had a real confidence that we could try to make it harder for them than some of the other teams they have played against, and we had the weapons that could cause them some trouble. We have some speed up front. We have some guys that come out of the midfield. I think that those are all things that work for us."
| U.S.Midfielder LANDON DONOVAN On the scope of the win and expectations moving forward: |
"It's a big win. There's no way around out. If we want to continue to get better, then this isn't necessarily the expectation, but we need to expect to be able to compete that way all the time with these teams. That was huge tonight, and you see when you compete like that you have a change to win."
On the tactics of the team's win:
"I thought we did a very good job of making it hard on them. Most teams against them respect them a little too much and back off. We did a good job of being harder and more aggressive than most teams are against them. We had our chances, we took them and that was important too."
On the second U.S. goal:
"It was a good play from Benny Feilhaber, who had come on the field. He made a good move in the middle and slipped the ball to me. My first thought was actually to shoot it, and as I got to that spot I tried to put it across in a good spot because I felt that would be more dangerous. Clint made a great play at the end of it."
His thoughts on the U.S. advancing to the final:
"Sports are amazing. I've grown up loving sports, and I think this is the reason why people love it. Sometimes the improbable can happen. We were really down and out going into the last game of our group, but give us a lot of credit. We did what we needed to do to get through. We got a little bit of help from Brazil, and tonight we put on a really good show."
On Brazil and South Africa:
"They both present different challenges. Brazil we know well because they beat us pretty badly a week ago. They would probably be comfortable playing against us, but I think we're in a better place now. If you play South Africa. They are the hosts, and if they beat Brazil tomorrow and are in the finals that stadium will be rocking."
On the tactics of the team's win:
"I thought we did a very good job of making it hard on them. Most teams against them respect them a little too much and back off. We did a good job of being harder and more aggressive than most teams are against them. We had our chances, we took them and that was important too."
On the second U.S. goal:
"It was a good play from Benny Feilhaber, who had come on the field. He made a good move in the middle and slipped the ball to me. My first thought was actually to shoot it, and as I got to that spot I tried to put it across in a good spot because I felt that would be more dangerous. Clint made a great play at the end of it."
His thoughts on the U.S. advancing to the final:
"Sports are amazing. I've grown up loving sports, and I think this is the reason why people love it. Sometimes the improbable can happen. We were really down and out going into the last game of our group, but give us a lot of credit. We did what we needed to do to get through. We got a little bit of help from Brazil, and tonight we put on a really good show."
On Brazil and South Africa:
"They both present different challenges. Brazil we know well because they beat us pretty badly a week ago. They would probably be comfortable playing against us, but I think we're in a better place now. If you play South Africa. They are the hosts, and if they beat Brazil tomorrow and are in the finals that stadium will be rocking."
U.S. Goalkeeper TIM HOWARD
On the team's advancement:
"We're proud that this group is the one that is going to represent the U.S. in the final. We are scratching our heads the same way you are, but it goes to show you what heart work and commitment to each other can bring."
On the play of the U.S. back line:
"They played great today. Anytime you come out with a shock win you need to take your chances in front of goal – we did – and you need some guys who are defending like bandits, and you need your goalkeeper to come up with some saves and sometimes you get lucky on certain occasions. We rode our luck today, but Spain is unbelievable – I don't need to tell you that, though. They are No. 1 in the world."
On the credit Bob Bradley should be given for the victory:
"We've had our share of critics and I think everyone, including the coaching staff, stood up and took it on the chin. We just kept going. The press was hard on us, maybe rightfully so, but it never phased him, it never took its toll on him and he continued to prepare the team as though he believed we could do something like we did tonight, and that was infectious."
U.S. Midfielder CLINT DEMPSEY
On the win:
"This win is huge for American soccer because it's the first time for the men to be in a final in a major competition. This one is much sweeter because we were down and out, came back fighting in the Egypt game. No one expected us to win this game. We fought hard, showed a lot of heart, stayed compact defensively, picked our moments when to go forward and scored some goals and that made it difficult on them. I'm excited about the result, and think all the fans back at home will be excited as well."
On if he ever thought the team would be in this position after the loss to Brazil:
"You never know. The coaching staff came to us and said that there is a possibility. We knew it was going to be a long shot to advance. We knew we would have to score a lot of goals in the Egypt game. We worked hard and the other result went our way as well so we are excited about that. We carried that over to this game. Worked hard with the same mentality and we're excited about the result but we're looking forward to the final and whoever we play we know it's going to be a difficult match."
U.S. Defender and Captain CARLOS BOCANEGRA
On tonight's game:
"Spain had the long winning streak, is the No. 1 team in the world and it was a huge game for us, the semifinals of a major tournament. We put in a great effort as a team and it was nice to get a win."
On whether he thought the team could compete with Spain:
"We played them last summer, and we thought we were a bit tentative when we started that game. So, we wanted to make sure we got after them (tonight) and pressure them and make sure they didn't have the ball the whole time. I thought we did well with that. At the beginning of the game we had a few chances, and we were getting some shots on goal. Obviously, toward the end of the game we were absorbing a lot of their pressure, but before the game they had all the pressure on them. They were the big team, and we just went out there and play without any worries and it went great tonight."
On how he felt coming back from injury:
"Tonight I felt good. I was getting a bit tired obviously in the second half because that was difficult to come back to in your first game back, but a lot of guys were doing running for other people tonight so it was good."
On whether he wants to play Brazil again:
"We played (Brazil) already, and we didn't have a good game against them, but we're not worried about that tonight. We're just going to be happy with our victory and celebrate a little back in the hotel, relax, and then we'll watch the game tomorrow night and see what happens."
On how it felt to play at left back:
"I played pretty much the entire season with Rennes at left back so I'm pretty comfortable back there. The guys in the center did fantastic again tonight, and they've been doing well this entire tournament. Bob and I spoke about this about a year ago and he said that he was going to use me at left back if we ever needed it. I told him I'm happy to do that, so whether he needs me in the middle or out left it's not a problem for me."
On if he thinks Spain was getting frustrated near the end of the game:
"Maybe a little bit. Toward the end they were playing long balls a little bit more but, I don't know, I'm still in a little bit of disbelief to be honest. We're in the finals of a major competition and we're confident, but it hasn't really sunk in yet. We're going to go back and just enjoy it tonight."
On what the team has done to showcase American soccer in this tournament:
"It just shows that we can compete with the best. Now we need to do it on a consistent basis, and that's the biggest thing moving forward. We've been a bit inconsistent, especially in CONCACAF, which we need to improve on. Coming here we've shown that we can play with the big boys and we can beat them."
U.S. Defender JONATHAN SPECTOR:
On the performance of the back line:
"It was certainly a hard fought win and it took the entire team defending, not just the back four, we needed our midfielders and even the front runners. We knew they wanted to go through middle so we forced them wide and defended whatever crosses came in. It was successful for us tonight."
On the back line changing a lot over the past few games:
"There have definitely been changes to the back four recently and it's not easy, obviously, when there isn't as much cohesiveness because we haven't all played together as much. I think the entire team dealt with it really well."
On what the game means for U.S. Soccer:
"It's certainly a huge win for us, probably one of the biggest that the team has had. It's our first major final and beating a team like Spain is a great result, especially with their win streak."
On whether he sensed Spain becoming frustrated:
"I think after the second goal you could tell they were, not panicking, but just that they needed to get one back quickly. We all knew that if we could hold them for five minutes that we would have a great chance of going on to win the game. At that point I'd say is when I could feel it."
On what he wants fans in the U.S. to know about his team:
"Well we certainly hope that we'll gain a few fans who will watch the final, and we hope that we can turn in another good performance like we just had."
Bradley made just two changes to the lineup that started against Egypt, with Howard returning in goal and team captain Carlos Bocanegra making his first appearance of the tournament. Bocanegra, making his first start at left back since March 25, 2007, joined a back line of Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit and Jonathan Spector.
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 21-Jonathan Spector, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 15-Jay DeMerit, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.); 10-Landon Donovan, 13-Ricardo Clark, 12-Michael Bradley, 8-Clint Dempsey (2-Jonathan Bornstein, 88); 9-Charlie Davies (22-Benny Feilhaber, 69), 17-Jozy Altidore (4-Conor Casey, 84)
Subs not used: 18-Brad Guzan, 23-Luis Robles, 6-Heath Pearce, 7-DaMarcus Beasley, 11-Marvell Wynne, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 19-Freddy Adu, 20-Jose Francisco Torres
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
SPA: 1-Iker Casillas (capt.); 15-Sergio Ramos, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol, 11-Joan Capdevila; 10-Cesc Fabregas (20-Santi Cazorla, 68), 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi Hernandez, 18-Albert Riera (22-Juan Manuel Mata, 77); 7-David Villa, 9-Fernando Torres
Subs not used: 23-Pepe Reina, 13-Diego Lopez, 2-Raúl Albiol, 4-Carlos Marchena, 6-Pablo Hernandez, 12-Sergio Busquets, 16-Fernando Llorente,17-Daniel Güiza, 19-Alvaro Arbeloa, 21-David Silva
Head Coach: Vicente del Bosque
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