Today started out better than I possibly could have dreamed of. With two goals in the first half an hour (the second a particularly splendid goal from Donovan) it seemed as if a second miracle was in the offing. It was not to be and Brazil proved why they are the best offensive team in the world today as they overpowered the US for three goals (which should have been four, one saved off the line appeared to be in). It was a loss yes, but one that showed how far this team has come.
Since the shock performance in the 2002 World Cup, the US has struggled to maintain anything close to that form with the notable exception of one match (a 1-1 draw vs. Italy in the 2006 WC). In particular they had struggled to score goals, scoring exactly one goal in the 2006 WC (the other was an Italy own goal). Even a few weeks back, they looked absolutely horrid against Costa Rica and not much better against Honduras in WC Qualifiers.
Then last Sunday happened and the miracle that was the one and only result that would see the Americans through to the semis. Then they beat Spain and nearly beat Brazil. While my head tells me that this is just an aberration, that the US just caught fire in a bottle the last week and may never again, my heart and indeed my instincts say more than that.
What's more, the world notices us. We are no longer just another after thought, another minnow for the true world giants to crush, in short we are step-children no more.
Just look at these headlines/comments from around the world:
BBC-
Those celebrations from Brazil showed you everything about how much it meant - Lucio was in tears at the end. Brazil really took the game to USA in the second half and they ran out of steam, you have to feel a bit sorry for them. It wasn't cagey at all though, it was a brilliant final.
Folha Online (Brazil, Google translated)-
Brazil wins over valiant US squad.
Gazetta Dello Sport (Italy, Google translated)-
In losing, the US showed the world that they are for real, they have truly arrived.
El Pais (Madrid, my translation)-
The Confederations Cup was almost perhaps the most stunning upset in FIFA history. For much of the night, it seemed that we were going to see a miracle of epic proportions, much like Obama's win of the Presidency in the United States last year. It was not to be but the courage and much of the glory go to the United States.
So don't hang your heads my friends, be happy for we have arrived!