The U.S. Re-Defines "Sneaking In"

After getting destroyed by Italy and Brazil in their first two games of the Confederations Cup, the United States received an incredible gift when Egypt beat Italy 1-0 last Thursday. While still a longshot, that result meant that the United States still had a slim chance of advancing to the semifinals of the tournament.

Still, they needed some crazy results to happen, such as Brazil beating a strong Italy team by a score of like 3-0, and they themselves needed to be Egypt by a score of 3-0. Somehow, someway, that is exactly what happened, and the United States is moving on to face Spain in the semifinals next Wednesday. Unbelievable.

Even though they've already been blessed with one miracle, there's no way in hell they are going to beat Spain this week. Spain hasn't lost in thirty-five straight games, including a current seventeen game win streak. Still, the United States is much better off getting a game in against a quality opponent then they would have just flying home after beating Egypt. I guess you never know though, maybe the U.S. could pull this thing out (no chance).

As I said in my last soccer blurb, the U.S. still has a long way to go before they can feel comfortable heading into the 2010 World Cup. However, knocking off an emerging team in Egypt in convincing fashion, as well as advancing to the semifinals of this Confederations Cup, is a huge boost of confidence for a team that was desperately looking for one.