USA shocks the world beating top ranked Spain 2-0

There was no pressure on the US mens soccer team Wednesday evening in South Africa.  Very few thought they had a chance against the #1 ranked team in the world.  Spain had not been beaten since 2006.  Spain had a world record 35 match unbeaten streak.  Spain had won 15 in a row.  Spain had cruised through the Confederations Cup group stages not even allowing a goal.  The Americans would be little more than a speed bump towards a Confederations Cup final showdown with Brazil.

Somebody forgot to tell the US.  Quotes had been coming out of the US camp for days.  Jozy Altidore said the US could play with Spain.  Kljestan and Donovan expressing confidence.  It showed on the pitch as the Americans came out the first 15 minutes and asked questions of Spain.  A close shot from Clint Dempsey and a bicycle kick from Charlie Davies almost put the US ahead.  Spain was on the attack as well, but in the 27th minute it was the Americans that would jump ahead.  Dempsey sent a deflected ball into young Jozy Altidore who held off his man, turned and fired at goal.  Spain keeper Iker Casillas could only get a hand on the ball and it slipped inside the left post 1-0 USA.

After the goal Spain piled on the pressure.  Corner kicks, possession and shots came and came, but the US defense held behind Tim Howard, Gooch Onyewu and Jay DeMerit.  The Americans kept giving the ball away cheaply, but the match went 1-0 to the half.

The second half saw an early couple of minutes of US attack and then Spain put on the pressure again.  Tim Howard was forced into a couple of early saves to keep the lead and Spain was just unable to get the decisive shot.  US players were laying it on the line.  Sliding to block balls and giving up the body to keep Spain out of the box.  In the 73rd the decisive minute would come as sub Benny Fielhaber picked up a ball in the midfield and found Landon Donovan on the right who glided into the box before sliding the square ball into the six yard box.  There Clint Dempsey pounced on the loose ball firing it into the net from close range to push the lead to 2-0.

Spain would continue to attack, but it was to no different result.  Onyewu, DeMerit and crew were just unbeatable.  The final ball was always either won or pushed away by the US men and the result would be USA 2 Spain 0.  The longest unbeaten streak in world history was over and the #1 squad in the world walked off dejected before a celebrating American team who advances to the Confederations Cup final on Sunday in South Africa.