Well for 45 minutes of play in the FIFA Confederations Cup championship match the U.S. team did what no one thought they could do, score two goals against mighty Brazil.
Fans everywhere knew, even with a 2-0 halftime lead, Brazil was capable of getting the lead right back. A lot of nervous energy was being felt by U.S. supporters. That quickly was ratcheted up a notch as Brazil scored their first goal only a minute into the second half, meaning the next 44 minutes of play were going to be very nerve racking.
True to form the Samba stormed all the way back and put the game away in the 86 minute on a text-book world class goal off of a corner kick to seal their second-consecutive Confederations Cup title (the first country in FIFA history to pull that feat off), and their third overall.
Was the result the ideal ending for the U.S. team? No, of course not. Did any U.S. fan ever real feel like the game was in hand, even up 2-0 at the half? Not any smart one that had ever seen Brazil play and know their penchant for scoring a lot of goals in a hurry. Are there some great experiences, lessons, and positives to take from the game, and the entire tournament from a U.S. perspective? You bet.
If the U.S. has been able to hold on and take the Confederations Cup title it would have easily been the biggest win ever for the team, clinching their first ever title in a FIFA international tournament. But it is important to put this match, and this tournament in perspective. At its core the Confederations Cup is meant to be a dress rehearsal for the host nation of the next World Cup, in this case South Africa. Giving those on the operations team, the host cities, media operations, and other aspects of the tournament a slight taste of what is coming the next year.
Likewise, it gives the teams a taste for what the stadiums look and feel like, scout out new training facilities and other important details that are vital to a World Cup effort. Then, there is the little issue of the actual matches themselves. It gives the players an opportunity to play great competition, and coaches to see what their team looks like in this setting. In that regard, the U.S. was able to play Brazil twice, Italy, Spain, and Egypt in matches that actually meant something (more than just an international friendly).
Players like Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey cemented their role in the starting 11 for the U.S. team while a good mix of young players also got to get their feet wet and have a good showing in the tourney.
Looking at the larger picture, the 2009 Confederations Cup was a massive success for the U.S., especially considering they were 90 minutes away of being sent home before the Egypt match started. Another step was taken and now the U.S. can only be happy with getting wins at these tournaments (World Cup included) and not just having a “good showing.” This new perspective for the players, fans, and coaches, means the bar has been raised and that in itself, could turn out to be the biggest positive for the National Team in a longtime.
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