Running Commentary: U.S.-Spain, Confederations Cup semifinals

Random thoughts while watching today's U.S.-Spain Confederations Cup semifinal:

• Charlie Davies' bicycle kick, had it gone in, would have been legendary
• Landon Donovan has been fantastic so far, very patient and very deliberate with his passes
• John Harkes raises an interesting possibility, that if this game goes into the penalty kicks, Tim Howard is a great equalizer there for the U.S.
• The rest of Harkes' drivel? Not so much
• Is Spain actually giving Donovan space--out of respect?
• Pardon my ignorance, but is it cold in South Africa this time of year?
• Ban the horns Sepp
• Spain, slow and sloppy. A little overconfident; a lot outplayed so far
• Torres was offside, but Jesus Christ, no one knew he was there.
• U.S. defense playing a bit ambitiously, pushing forward and getting caught in counters by Spain
• U.S. doesn't want to have to play from behind
• That's twice Altidore has passed up shots in the Spain last third of the field. Shoot the ball son.
• Spain doing a little bit of internal bickering, sloppy passes leads to U.S. counter and Donovan shot
• Bocanegra's bad throw-in was fugly
• Um, yeah, Donovan's looking, um, world class
• Jonathan Spector is a marked man, Spain LOVES his side of the field - and with good reason so far
• GOAL -- Altidore finally shoots- and scores.
• Davies and Dempsey just relentless in keeping possession. And Altidore beats back the Spain defender and gets a break from Casillas' incomplete save. Wow, 1-0 27 minutes in.
• First goal against Spain in the tournament.
• Torres again offside; wonder how long before the flag stays down on one of those exchanges?
  
• Is Torres just being arrogant on these offsides calls?
• U.S. is really doing a solid job in the middle defending their end of the field
• Great sequence from Spain.
  
• A lot of desperation on that field right now, from both teams
• A first half to remember for the U.S.
• SECOND HALF
• Xavi a tad high with that boot challenge
• Howard setting up to be the hero in this one, tremendous hit from Villa, better save from Howard
• Demerit leans on Villa there
• Looks like the U.S. is gonna sit on it
• U.S. is asking a lot of its back four right now.
  
• Possession is key for the U.S.; can they manage to keep the ball?
• Another opportunity for Spain and another corner
• Spector is just scary.
• Bradley is setting this team up to fail. They're not playing the same game they were in the first half
• Wow
• It's not all Spain Harkes!
• Xavi was offside on that chip.
• Constant turnovers from the U.S.
• At this rate, it's a matter of time for Spain. Reminiscent of the Italy game; early lead, floodgates open in the second half.
• When does exhaustion become a factor too for the U.S.?
• Is it more tiring to defend than play in the flow of the game?
• Howard is so solid, but none of these shots aside from Villa's is really testing him.
• Altidore wins a corner, nicely.
• What is Bradley's first move off the bench?
• Failharber? Or does he swap out a fullback. And when does he make the move?
• There's a lot on the coach's plate right now, especially with a tiring Starting Eleven. How well does he know these guys?
• Goodness, eight, even nine white shirts defending in the U.S. box. Wow
• Already playing the clock. I hate this tactic
• At least pretend you're playing for another goal U.S.
  
• At least the U.S. challenges every cross, a foot, a back, something tries to get in the way
• A for effort there Altidore, but pretty transparent try for a PK
• 30 minutes to go
• ESPN rant: Stop with the graphic about the U.S. beating a No. 1 ranked team. This isn't the NCAA where the freaking polls somehow matter. No one outside of ESPN ever pays attention to the rankings. /endrant
• Awesome run from Davies, but selfishly, he kept it. Shoulda gone to Donovan.
• Has Spector challenged any crosses on his side of the field? Any? He's awful. Riera is having his way over there
• What is Bradley waiting for? 24 minutes to go. Put someone on.
• Have I mentioned how awesome Donovan's been? [Did I say that?]
• Feilharber coming in. Soon I hope.
• Feilhaber for Davies
• I'd rather have seen Altidore come off there. Davies much quicker, much more disruptive on the counterattack. That's the only semblance of offense from the U.S. on the bench right now.
• Possession. Feilhaber. Imagine that
• Squeaky-bum time has arrived
• This has to be murder on Spain. So dominant and nothing to show for it.
• GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!! DEMPSEY
• Amazing!!!!!!
• Counterattack. Spain disaster on defense and Dempsey finishes
• Great run from Feilhaber. Great clusterfuck from the Spain defense.
• 2-0
• 76 minutes. Hurry up clock
• Feilhaber fouls in a bad spot. ho-boy
• 80 minutes. Hurry up clock
• Howard or Donovan for man of the match? Close call right now
• Feilhaber has been the perfect sub. Can we get another one Butcher Bob?
• Spector tries a trap in the box. Awesome. GET HIM OUT OF THERE
• Altidore out, Connor Casey in. Finally another fresh body. Possession boys
• 84 minutes. Hurry up clock
• Onyewu, high marks in the last 15 minutes.
  
• Anyone else smell a PK for Spain? I sense something
• Oh Boy. Bradley gets a straight red. No Bradley in the final. Wrong Bradley.
• 88 minutes. Hurry up clock
• Dempsey out. Bornstein in.
• 3 minutes stoppage time. Hurry up clock.
• 1 minute to go
• Just an amazing win. Quite a feat. Very proud.
• U.S. 2, Spain 0. Suck it Spain.
  

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