Making history and moving ahead

What a match. The US toppled Spain, FIFA's top-ranked side, 2-0. A side that just one week ago was being buried for poor play has instead made it to the championship game of the Confederations Cup. An improbable result, a thrilling one, but not a shock to some.

This match was all about US discipline and tactics. As the CounterAttack had hoped, the US consistently stepped into Spanish passing lanes, breaking up plays in the midfield and thwarting attacks in the American defensive third. The Spaniards owned the lion's share of the statistics. Spain had three times as many corner kicks, shots and shots on goal. But the Men's National Team owned the two most important statistics: six saves to Spain's zero, and of course, two goals to none.

Spain clearly had the better individual talent, no surprise. The MNT, however, played better as a team. Time and again, US defenders overlapped to protect a beaten teammate. The discipline in the back line was the key. What the US had to do was keep formation and not overcommit against any one player. As a result, there were few one-on-one opportunities where Spain's superior individual talent could break through.

The return of Carlos Bocanegra to the lineup was an immense help. His experience was critical in keeping the backs calm, a fact that became more important as Spain stretched the MNT defence throughout the second half. Moving DeMerit to left back was a vast improvement over Jonathan Bornstein, who looked overmatched in his previous outings. DeMerit's time at Watford has allowed him to grow into a capable, versatile fullback. Gooch Onyewu made his presence felt, particularly on corners. His size was a factor but his ability to read plays is rapidly making him one of the best backs in the world. Fenerbace is getting a fantastic defender, if they finalize his transfer there.

And although Spain had seemingly endless opportunities from corner kicks, those were never a problem for the stronger, taller American defenders. This was a feature the CounterAttack was hoping the US could use to its best advantage.

In attack, the US played it perfectly. Two shots on goal, two goals. MNT strikers tracked back to fill holes on defence, but were ready to spring counterattacks when they could. Charlie Davies had the first best chance of the match, his bicycle kick in the fourth minute beating Iker Casillas but just wide. Altidore had his seventh international goal, in 15 games. Enough said.

The biggest difference between the poorly-played games of the MNT - which, including World Cup qualifiers, was three of their past five - and the past two games was the improvement in the midfield. Spain were the more talented midfielders but the US stepped up the pressure, denying passing lanes. When Spain did break through, the American midfielders tracked back and held formation to create another defensive line.

It is therefore poetic that the killing 79th minute second goal was created off an intercepted pass from Dempsey, which fell to Michael Bradley, who fed Feilhaber, and the goal was put away by Dempsey. Throw in Donovan's tireless efforts and it is obvious that the MNT midfield has come of age. With the hoped-for arrival of highly-rated defensive midfielder Jermaine Jones, this is a midfield that can start to become a force.

What are the implications of this match, besides the championship game on Sunday? Well, it is only the second time the MNT has beaten a FIFA number-one ranked side. Unlike that 1998 scrambling defeat of Brazil, however, this match shows what the US can do when it plays to its abilities. Yesterday, the US had less shots on goals than Spain but created more higher-percentage opportunities - most of Spain's shots were from long distance, and few were one-on-one. The US has a sophisticated and for some reason highly underrated defence. That perception should change.

Most importantly, this tournament has demonstrated to the MNT - and its fans as well - that in tournament play, the results are the most important thing if the team doesn't play to form. You can play like crap but then you have to get the results you need. Play like crap, no results = slating in the media and disgust from the fans.

Does this win make the US more dangerous? Not really. The team did not play above itself but rather played to what they could do. Until the team becomes more consistent with finishing its strike opportunities, moving to the next level, where teams fear you, will not happen. This game did show, however, that it can play and does belong with the highest competitors. It is a big step in the maturation process. It was also the best tactics that Bob Bradley has put together in the face of superior talent.

Some of the players - Donovan, Dempsey, Howard (who had a fantastic night in goal), Bocanegra, Onyewu - are rounding into their peak playing years. Others like Bradley, Altidore and Davies are still in the early days of their careers. The next five years could be a lot of fun for both the US and its fans.

Photo via Soccernet.com