Confederations Cup, USA vs. Brazil Preview: Drunk on Delusion and Hope

June 17th, 2009 | by: Brooks Peck |

Since Barack Obama bought us all one way tickets on his crazy train of positivity, it’s been difficult to be morbidly realistic when looking ahead to big matches like this (after the fact? not so much), even just two days after that 3-1 loss to Italy.

But this lack of hopelessness is not without its justifications. As you may remember, the US MNT once beat Brazil in the long-ago time of 1998, when they finished on the happy side of a 1-0 Gold Cup semifinal against the then reigning World Cup champions.

So what does that have to do with the present? Well, very little — aside from setting a precedent.

But this match will be important in evaluating where we stand ahead of the World Cup. Under Bob Bradley, the US is 0-4-1 against FIFA ranking’s top five. In most of those matches (that didn’t involve Ricardo Clark getting himself sent off), their defense kept them within strike distance of more points, but their inability to score didn’t achieve a more respectable record. And since moral victories aren’t worth any points in the World Cup or here at the Confederations Cup, further improvement is obviously necessary.

Will this be the match where we see that happen? As our new familiar refrain goes: we’ll see.

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elle

i’m pretty sure the title of this post says it all.
if i have to wake up at 7 am to see the US get destroyed i don’t really know how i’ll cope.
please play freddy, papa bradley.
DAinLA

Brazil always gives up a lot of goals early on in group stages. They get better with each game and then go on a roll.

But, we are no Egypt. I fear watching Gooch attempt to control Fabiano or Kaka. I think it’s going to be very ugly
Dustin

Gooch is either gonna be too timid to stand up Fabiano or Kaka, or he’s just going to barrel through them and get carded over and over. GO US this is a gonna be a fun match. I wonder if Madrid will get their money back if Gooch accidentally kills Kaka.
Nicholas

Romario on the the performance of Keller in 1998….“[it] was the greatest performance I’ve ever seen by a goalkeeper. It was an honor to be on the field with him.”
Ryan

Beasley??? No Torres, no Adu????
Bud

I can’t believe the lack of confidence the US has been playing with. When teams figure out that your no threat to score, look out. They throw everyone forward and kill you. Bradley needs to go and they need to get a foreign coach who can motivate and teach attacking skills. We have gone backwards in international soccer and at one time we were moving forward. If they continue this type of play they shouldn’t play in the world cup
Mike

What’s the deal with this squad getting so many send offs in non-friendly, non-CONCACAF matches? It seems they like to play with 10 instead of 11. Today’s performance is flat out pitiful.
http://redbulls.theoffside.com Dave Martinez

What do Obama and Beasley have in common?

They stink at their jobs.

Worst. Game. Ever.
Adam

Please can someone tell me why we lost today? LOL oh thats right, Mr Predictable aka. Bob Bradley decides to play the most boring form of soccer ever seen, and cannot motivate his players to do anything outside of commit fouls and turn the ball over. If Bradley is making the decisions after this tournament, I have no more love for the decision makers involved with American Soccer. Thank god its almost American Football season.
Ramiro

There are so many bad things to take away from this game, it’s gonna take a while before I can put it all on paper.
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Brooks

Dave, please don’t use this space to make stupid political statements.
DAinLA

This is simple: Bradley is in way over his head.

He needs to go, now.
http://redbulls.theoffside.com Dave Martinez

Who is making a political statement? Were you when you posted the “positive vibes” comment to start a post?

Take it easy Brooks. It’s a joke. I did what you did; relating our Presidents reputation on the soccer game we are covering. Relax.
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Brooks

My comment in the post wasn’t a criticism, though.

I just wanted to nip any political flame wars in the bud.
Antihate

I’m no fan of Bradley’s either. Though I had high hopes. But I still think people are being a little harsh on Brad. The players themselves don’t necessarily play with the most confidence either. Watch Brazil play. Their players are so confident on the ball. Can you say the same for our players? This comes from a train of thought. In America you’re called a showoff a showboat if you have ball skills and display them. Creativity is almost always stifled here. What did people expect TEam USA to do vs Italy and Brazil??? And watch out I’m afraid USA will fare no different against Egypt.
Brian

I am so glad we brought Connor Casey up so we could watch him stand in the center circle for 30 minutes. I seriously think he left that area less than 5 times. I would really like to see a forward other than Donovan that runs to defend the opposing teams defenders.

I don’t know if I can watch the game against Egypt. I almost broke a few things in my house from disgust because of this last game.
http://redbulls.theoffside.com Dave Martinez

Hey Brooks, I am the same way – avoid politics on the page as much as possible – even during the damn election cycle! But we both made political implications in our statements – I just didn’t expect to be shot down like that. Criticism or Positivity, you mention Obama, it becomes political in a heart beat.

Peace made.
http://N/A Lou

Well…Well…Well…What the heck has happened to the team? Two red cards (and we can agree they were questionable reds at best)and our National Team is no longer a contender. Look at what Brazil did to the US when we hosted the World Cup in ‘94. We were up a man and they still beat us 1-0. When will we get a clue as a National Team and also as a National Team Coaching Staff? It is unaccpetabel to watch pplayers walking aimlessly when you are losing 3-1 or 3-0. They players on the pitch put our country to shame and do not desrve to wear the National Team Jersey with performances in the past two games. Somebody needs to kick them in the a** and yell – WAKE UP! (I do not think I can watch the Egypt game. Egypt has a lot of momentum comin into the game and can smell blood. It may likely be a disaster for the US.)