Confederations Cup - Tired USA wary of Spain

Eurosport - Tue, 23 Jun 17:41:00 2009

The USA are prepared to battle fatigue and frustration in a daunting Confederations Cup semi-final against Spain.

FOOTBALL 2009 - Etats-Unis - Donovan - 0

"We are very excited to still be around in this tournament but it has been tiring," USA captain Landon Donovan (pictured) said in Bloemfontein.

"It's a big challenge in a lot of ways. It's a game in which we know they will have a lot of possession and a big part of playing against them is not getting frustrated.

"On the other hand, we need to try and put them under pressure and see how they react to that," added the 27-year-old.

"We have never been to the semi-final of a tournament of this calibre and in some ways this is even tougher that the World Cup just in terms of the quality of opposition."

In terms of quality, it does not get any better than Spain, the European champions who extended their winning run to a record 15 matches with three comfortable victories in the group phase.

The USA lost their two opening group games to Italy and Brazil but staged a near-miraculous recovery to beat Egypt 3-0 in their last Group B game and qualify for the last four ahead of the world champions on the number of goals scored.

"It's a big accomplishment to have got to this point," Donovan added.

Coach Bob Bradley said he expected Spain to pose myriad problems for his team.

"They play the ball quickly, the keep possession well and they have some special players," Bradley said. "But we have the ability to put their defence under pressure. It will take a good game plan and a complete effort from the players to beat them."

Bradley said goalkeeper Tim Howard would return to the starting line-up after Brad Guzan was given a chance to play against Egypt.

Defender Carlos Bocanegra is still not sure of a place despite returning to training after a hamstring injury.

The winners advance to the final in Johannesburg on Sunday where they meet either Brazil or hosts South Africa whose semi-final is at Ellis Park on Thursday.

The third place play-off match is on Sunday in Rustenburg.

Reuters

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  1. With goal scorers live Villa and Torres USA need an­ amazing back line which they don't. Up front to get­ through a tight back four plus Reina in goal they need­ a world class strikers which is not available. The only­ way the USA can win is if Spain come out with the wrong­ attitude. Though in truth spains second team would­ probably be part of USAs first team and beat the old­ tired team being played by Bradley.

    From fiona, on Wed 24 Jun 10:47AM

  2. US is lucky to be where they are. Spain 5 USA 0 A­ snowball has a better chance in Hell than the US does­ against a soccer power like Spain. People told us­ 15years ago that our program would improve and so far­ it is about the same or worse. We get a little better­ and the world leaves us in the dust. Our team is­ already too old, we have not developed any new talent.­ You look at every other team and they have new players.­ We have left overs that are injured and washed up.

    From WillyWolf, on Wed 24 Jun 10:09AM

  3. Arcata FC - win or lose they'll stay in S.A. the­ same amount of time...

    From Grady B, on Wed 24 Jun 12:39AM

  4. Sure thats what they said about USA not making it to­ the next round!

    It's possible!

    From TeenBaby77515, on Tue 23 Jun 10:26PM

  5. The only chance for the US is to win an early goal­ somehow (whether its luck, a PK, or some Spain­ defensive blunder) which is NOT very likely at all.­ Good for them to "squeak" through to this­ point, but thye better not make any extended stay plans­ in South Africa this week.

    From Arcata FC, on Tue 23 Jun 9:51PM

  6. Up USA! Its exciting that we're playing in a­ semi-final of something not in the CONCACAF.

    From E, on Tue 23 Jun 7:55PM

  7. miracles­ happen....................................

    BUT NOT IN­ THIS GAME 2-0 TO SPAIN OLE OLE OLE OLE VAMOS ESPANA

    From SANDRA A, on Tue 23 Jun 7:34PM

  8. hopefully it will be a good match, but it is hard to­ imagine US knocking of Spain..

    From Joel, on Tue 23 Jun 5:45PM
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