And now, the Spanish Armada

This afternoon, the CounterAttack and Fellow Football Junkie Friend were discussing the improbable: how the US can beat Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

Almost all will say, that's impossible, and with good reason. This is the hottest team on the planet: European champions, winners of a record 15 consecutive international matches, unbeaten since November 2006, FIFA's top-ranked team, home to the attacking force that includes Fernando Torres, David Villa, Andrés Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas....

No, we're not insane, on drugs or for some reason thinking that it's actually a basketball game (or this basketball game) coming up. It is definitely a long shot and admittedly several factors have to go right, but it is not impossible that the Men's National Team beat Spain. We are not the CounterAttack for nothing, after all.

First, it was exactly 12 months ago that the US fought Spain to a veritable standstill for 80 minutes. It took an excellent effort from Xavi to bring the MNT down, 1-0. In this match, the US played smart and disciplined, cutting off Spanish passing lanes and preventing the Spaniards from spreading out and overwhelming the US.

That's one of the keys for the US to beat Spain: squeeze the Spanish attack so that they cannot use their killing speed. It can be done but it would take the same discipline as in last year's game. This time, however, they must also concentrate the entire match.

Michael Bradley will have to be the link between defence and attack. He has to sit back a little, in front of the defenders, shoring up the back and cranking up the attack. His job will be the most critical of all. As important, Donovan and Dempsey will have to fill the slots ahead of Bradley, spinning out to the wing when necessary, crashing inside as needed. All three have demonstrated they can fill these roles, which is encouraging.

Up front, coach Bradley has to pair Jozy Altidore with Charlie Davies again because skilled attack will be vital. Davies' work rate can complement Altidore's goal-facing style. But Jozy has to step it up. He has wasted opportunities in this tournament. This could be the coming-out party for the 19-year-old, but he has to make it happen.

The CounterAttack would have wanted Mastroeni as the midfielder behind Bradley for this match, for his size. By rights, that spot should fall to Jose Torres, who would have the chance to play the game of his nascent international career. There is no margin for error, and Kljestan and Clark just make too many mistakes. Torres can play on the ball and he knows Spanish style football, playing in the Mexican league.

The backs simply have to play as they have but without overcommitting. Gooch Onyewu and Jay DeMerit have created a physical presence in the back. If they can play physically against the smaller Spanish forwards, it might be enough to throw Spain off track. Spector needs to know when to stay home and when he can cruise up in the wingback role.

Most of all, the US has to finish its passes and take their shots on goal. Score early, inside the first 15 minutes, and then keep attacking without getting careless. The squad will be harassed and harried by the Spanish midfielders. If Bradley and (hopefully) Torres can hold the ball and spray it around, it will keep the Spaniards on their heels. Then the US has to score. Altidore showed in the Beckham Game that he can take over a high-profile match. If ever there was a time for him to explode onto the international scene, to prove he deserves a starting role for club and country, this would be it.

The tactics have to be set according to what the US can do, not what they will try to stop Spain from doing. That has proven to be impossible over the past 35 matches. So the MNT mentality must be to play their own game, adjust as needed, and play to the limits of their talents. The physical gap is not enormous, it is the mental hardness that the US has not yet honed consistently. It could be done for this match.

To be honest, while the CounterAttack and FFJF can see a potential US win, it is not likely. It would be enough to suffer a loss in a match where the US goes toe to toe for 90 full minutes. Let the MNT slug it out with the European champions, to show that they do belong. That would be sufficient. But why not try for it all?

After all, mighty Spain had similar overwhelming odds going for them 421 years ago, against another wannabe power, and look how that turned out.