Miracle in South Africa

All that was missing was Al Michaels counting down the time; 3, 2, 1 Do you believe in miracles?

USA 2 Spain 0. The USA team that a week ago looked like they did not even belong in the tournament, delivered the knockout punch to the #1 team in the world.

The USA came out early and played with passion and strategy. They knew that the only way to stop control Spain was to attack the midfield and try to score early and they did just that dominating the play in the first 3o minutes and getting the score on a brilliant move by Josie Altidore to get free and score. The goal signaled everything the USA needed. First they attacked in an odd man rush then Altidore made a great move to get in on goal. Finally the shot was partially saved by the Spanish keeper but still manged to catch the inside post and go in for the goal. This was a great break and great breaks never seem to go against the USA in big games.

Once the first goal was scored, the game was on. The giants from Spain realized this would be a dogfight and came out swinging. Tim Howard was breathtaking in the goal. He took a barrage a shots. The back line of the USA looked like hockey players laying out in front of shots to deflect them. As the game wore on and Spain kept pushing it seemed like it was impossible for the USA to hold them off. Then out of nowhere the USA was on the counter and Landon Donovan opted to pass instead of shoot, which seemed like a terrible decision but the deflection sat on Sergio Ramos foot for a second too long and Clint Dempsey put it home for an improbable 2nd goal. Now the win seemed possible. Despite and iffy red card on Michael Bradley in the 87th minute, the defense continued to protect the goal.

As the time ran out their was a sense of shock. I sat there in disbelief that it actually happened. I went into this game hoping that the USA could save face and keep it close. This was Spain the #1 team in the world, the defending EURO Champs, riding a world record 15 match winning streak, unbeaten in 35 games, and had yet to give up a goal in the entire tournament. The USA had backed their way into the semifinals. There was no way the USA was supposed to even compete in this game let alone win.

USA soccer is in a position to win a FIFA tournament for the first time ever. If they manage to beat Brazil/South Africa, it would be one of the most improbable turnarounds in soccer history. Regardless of the outcome the USA has found something that was severely lacking on the national team, confidence and pride. Next year the USA can show up to the World Cup and know that if they play with passion and strategy, they can hang with and beat anybody in the world.

What happens next is up to the 23 members of the national team and Bob Bradley, but for the first time in a long time I feel confident that the USA National Team is heading down the right path.