Do You Believe in Miracles? Part Two: US Stuns Spain…and World

The Americans’ defeat of the best soccer team in the world (Spain) today in Bloemfontein, South Africa will go down as one of the greatest sports victories internationally in the history of our country. The 2-0 victory in the semifinals of South Africa’s Confederations Cup is being dubbed “The Miracle on Grass” in honor of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” over the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics. ......

Like in 1980 the Americans were giant underdogs going up against a much more talented, experienced opponent, but with a fighting spirit and a refusal to quit the US was able to do what was thought to be impossible.

Sports pundits in this country aren’t forced to talk about soccer often so when confronted with the world’s game they typically resort to negativity. When the US Men’s National Team snuck its way into the semifinal game of the Confederations Cup in South Africa across the American sports media cited a sketchy rule in the tournament that allowed the US to advance. It was a miracle in itself that the US made it to the semifinals after losing their first two games of the tournament to Italy and Brazil respectably. It took a gutty 3-0 win against the champions of Africa, Egypt, and help from the Brazilians defeating Italy by the same score line to send the Americans through on goal deferential.

Unlikely as it was, the United States was set to face the FIFA ranked #1 team in the world with a chance to make the final. Spain had not lost a game since 2006 and in the Confederation Cup’s group stage they had not allowed a single goal. Spain’s starting eleven consisted of players from some of the best teams in Europe all of who get paid millions of dollars to play professionally. The arguable best player on the US, Landon Donovan, only makes $900,000 a year with his MLS side LA Galaxy. Spanish strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa are two of the most dangerous forwards in the world. It was expected by every sound soccer mind that the Spanish would pass the American defense to death.

US Coach Bob Bradley instructed his players to adopt a “bend but not break” attitude to containing the fearsome Spanish attack. From the kickoff Spain controlled the possession of the ball, but the Americans stayed true to their game plan. US goalie Tim Howard was tested early and often, but kept himself always in good position denying the defending champions of Europe again and again. In the 30th minute the US took a 1-0 lead when Clint Dempsey played a ball into 19-year-old forward Jozy Altidore who out-muscled defender Joan Capedevila and sending the ball off keeper Iker Casillas’s fingertips into the Spanish goal. In the second half Spain stepped up the onslaught on the United States defense.

The eleven Americans ran, jumped, slid, and dived all over the pitch to keep their opponents out of their net. It was evident that US squad began to believe more in themselves as the minutes ticked by drawing them closer and closer to sports history.

In the 73rd minute Clint Dempsey, who against Egypt helped the US out of the group stage scoring a late header, struck again as Landon Donovan crossed a dangerous ball into the Spanish box where Dempsey dislodged the ball from center back Gerad Pique and buried it into the net putting the underdogs up 2-0.

Though Spain continued to attack the Americans after going down by two you could almost see the air go out of the number one team in the world as they were unable to find a way past the gritty US. When the official’s final whistle blew in the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein the crowd comprised of mostly South Africans applauded the United States for pulling of a historic upset.

The US will face the winner of Brazil and host nation South Africa on Sunday. When asked to express his feelings after the game Tim Howard struggled, “I can’t explain anymore than you can. Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something you can achieve it.”

This victory doesn’t instantly push the United States into the upper echelon of soccer countries, but it does prove the point that the Americans can play with the best in the world on any given occasion and sometimes even beat them. Today is a great day to be a US Soccer fan and for anyone for that matter who takes pride in the good old Red, White, & Blue.