Red Rants 25 August @ 01:30 AM EST
The tale of Fletcher's ascent is best sung to the familiar tune of "zero to hero." The young
Scot, originally billed as the next Beckham, experienced a break-out season last term, making 26
Premier League appearances for United. However, when I try to explain his rise, I find myself at
a loss for words.
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The U.S. Men's National Team advanced to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final for the third time in a row
and seventh overall with a clinical 2-0 victory against Honduras in the semifinals this evening
behind goals from Clarence Goodson and Kenny Cooper at Soldier Field in Chicago. Troy Perkins
recorded his third shutout of the Gold Cup and his second against Honduras, making two spectacular
saves to preserve the clean sheet.
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WVHooligan 16 July @ 02:05 PM EST
Our boys are ESPY winners! (Getty Images)
The U.S. men's national team's amazing upset of Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal
is now an award winning upset. The national team won the award at the ESPY Award Ceremony on
Wednesday night in Los Angeles for Best Upset in American sports.
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The U.S. men's national team's stunning upset of Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal
was a game that won't soon be forgotten by American fans. Now, the victory has been awarded for its
dramatic impact with an ESPY Award for Best Upset in American sports. The national team won the
award at the ESPY Award Ceremony on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
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The U.S. men's national team's stunning upset of Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal
was a game that won't soon be forgotten by American fans. Now, the victory has been awarded for its
dramatic impact with an ESPY Award for Best Upset in American sports. The national team won the
award at the ESPY Award Ceremony on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
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The latest FIFA World Rankings are out and Brazil has overtaken Spain for the top spot with
their win in the 2009 Confederations Cup. The United States saw their ranking improve with a strong
performance to reach the finals but the biggest mover into the top 20 were Australia (moved up 13
spots) and the Ivory Coast (moved up 20 spots).
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Final
USA 2 Brazil 3
Johannesburg
The 2009 Confederations Cup Final lived fully up to expectations last night. From the moment we
heard the distinctive sound those vuvuzelas to the moment when Brazil lifted the trophy for a
record third time, everything seemed to be perfectly predictable and ultimately satisfying.
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While this post won't be specifically about college players moving into the professional ranks I
will try to work the theme of the blog in here. However, I mainly want to get my thoughts on paper
regarding the US' improbable run to the final of FIFA's Confederations Cup.
Here is a question to the US soccer fans reading.
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It's all over. The 2009 Confederations Cup is in the books and Brazil reigns supreme as the
greatest team in the world.
Ok, maybe not. Or maybe so ... Hard to tell. What does the Confederations Cup really mean?
One thing the Cup does is serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup.
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Ok, so the United States gave Brazil all it could handle in the 2009 Confederations Cup final,
falling to the 5-time World Cup champions, 3-2.
But what does it really mean?
According to the Boston Globe's Mark Stokes, this final could be the match that pushes soccer into
the forefront of American sports.
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Now that the 2009 Confederations Cup is over (congrats to Brazil from a disgruntled American), how
did it go?
The 2010 World Cup dress rehearsal seems to have gone over well with football's world governing
body FIFA. The organization's president, Sepp Blatter, addressed the media today.
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See The Cup 29 June @ 09:45 AM EST
Brazil came back from two goals down at half time to beat The United States 3-2 in the 2009
Confederations Cup final, which was played at the Coca Cola Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday
night.
The entertaining final provided a fitting end to what has been a goal-filled ‘Festival of
Champions', full of thrilling action and top class play by the world's best footballers.
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See The Cup 28 June @ 04:09 PM EST
Not an usual game, I should say. After eliminating Spain, the US had acquired a different aura
in the eyes of Brazilians. Suddenly, the squad that was massacred 3-0 became a respectful team.
That way, both sides started the match nervous. Brazil for the reason already mentioned. The US for
losing virginity in a FIFA tournament final against Brazil.
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US National Team keeper Tim Howard was named the keeper of the tournament for the 2009
Confederations Cup and Clint Dempsey won the Bronze Ball for the third best player in the
tournament. Fabiano won the Silver Ball and Kaka was the Golden Ball winner.
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Spain defeats South Africa 3-2 to take 3rd place - Video Highlights - Spain
recovered from a disappointing semifinal match against the United States to defeat South Africa for
3rd place in the 2009 Confederations Cup. The match was a thriller to the end with several goals in
the final minutes.
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See The Cup 28 June @ 11:25 AM EST
See The Cup 28 June @ 11:15 AM EST
It was a very balanced match with both team creating chances and a lot of last-minute goals. But
Spain managed to beat South Africa 3-2 on extra-time, after a 2-2 tie on regular time.
It's not everyday that you see a match with so many last-minute goals. Spain almost got its
second consecutive loss if it weren't for Güiza.
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18 yards 28 June @ 10:33 AM EST
In an otherwise uninteresting match to decide 3rd place at the 2009 confederations cup. South
Africa upset Spain who then upset South Africa who then upset Spain once again.
You could be forgiven for falling asleep watching this match as both sides seemed drained or
uninterested for the most part.
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US National Team players Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan are among ten players nominated for
FIFA's Golden Ball, the Most Valuable Player Award for the 2009 Confederations Cup. The winner is
determined by a media vote. Brazil: Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Robinho South Africa: Bernie Parker, Steven
Pienaar Spain: Fernando Torres, David Villa, Xavi USA: Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan
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South Africa came oh-so-close to advancing to the Confederations Cup final against the United
States this Sunday. For now, they'll have to settle for a third-place match against Spain.
Still, the host nation's performance against Brazil in a 1-0 loss in the semi final has made
believers of Bafana Bafana's supporters.
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See The Cup 25 June @ 05:14 PM EST
See The Cup 25 June @ 04:22 PM EST
It wasn't going to be easy. The home team always grows in FIFA competitions. And difficulty
increased as the locals have a coach who knows so well the Brazilian players. The only option for
Brazil was to take advantage of the nerves of their rivals. So Brazil started the match marking
South Africa in its defensive field as a way to force a mistake.
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Head coach Bob Bradley, in the midst of preparing for the 2009 Confederations Cup Final, has
announced his 23-man roster for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup to be played in early July.
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See The Cup 24 June @ 08:29 PM EST
Watch all the highlights and goals from Confederations Cup semi-final between US and Spain. In
great American fashion, by the way, with music on the background!
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See The Cup 24 June @ 08:24 PM EST
Today is a historic day for soccer in America. The US beat number one ranked Spain 2-0 and have
reached the final fo FIFA's Confederations Cup after barely qualifying for the semis. This is the
first time the Americans reach a final of a FIFA tournament and they have done it in great
style.
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Here it is. The day none of us thought the USMNT would reach.
The semifinals of the 2009 Confederations Cup.
The opponent: No. 1 Spain
A team that has set records for a top-ranked team in consecutive wins and consecutive non-losses. A
team that boasts perhaps the world's best goalkeeper, the world's best forward pairing and the
world's best midfield.
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SoccerLens 23 June @ 03:30 PM EST
Watch the Brazil v South Africa semifinal live online - right here.
Spain v USA (1st Semifinal)
Date: Wednesday 24th June 2009
Venue: Bloemfontein
Kickoff: 19:30 GMT
Brazil
On paper alone Brazil should win this - such is the gulf in class when talent between the two
sides is compared.
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SoccerLens 23 June @ 03:08 PM EST
Watch the Spain v USA semifinal live online - right here.
Spain v USA (1st Semifinal)
Date: Wednesday 24th June 2009
Venue: Bloemfontein
Kickoff: 19:30 GMT
The Spanish juggernaut faces surprise package USA in the first semifinal on Wednesday night.
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                                         Photo
by ISIphotos.com
When rating the players for the 2009 Confederations Cup, the newly-created Castrol Player Rating
Index has taken into account all aspects of player activity, providing us with what is supposed
to be a great way to measure the effectiveness and quality of the players participating.
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After Sunday's shocking turn of events (a.k.a. The Miracle on Grass) led to a surprising
semifinal berth at the 2009 Confederations Cup, the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team sets its sights
on Spain, whom it will face Wednesday afternoon. The European champions, winners 15 straight games
and unbeaten in their last 35, present the most formidable hurdle the U.
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The FIFA Confederations Cup is down to the semifinals with Spain taking on the United States and
Brazil against hosts South Africa. The tournament is a warm-up for next year's FIFA World Cup
Finals as most of the semifinalists should qualify. Spain easily made the semifinals, winning all
three of their group matches, while South Africa had a win and a draw to qualify.
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See The Cup 21 June @ 11:38 PM EST
I love Lucio. Such a solid defender. And today he almost scored... twice! Soon Lucio, soon you
will be celebrating your own goal!
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See The Cup 21 June @ 11:11 PM EST
Today was a day that went against all odds in Confederations Cup. As everyone was talking of the
fight between Egypt and Italy to qualify to the semi-final of Confederations Cup, the USA was
actually the one to move to the next round after surprisingly beating Egypt 3-0 wth goals from
Davies, Bradley and Dempsey.
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See The Cup 21 June @ 06:43 PM EST
