US scores surprise victory over Spain

• Source: Global Times
• [23:07 June 25 2009]
• Comments

  Charlie Davies (No. 17) celebrates their first goal with Jozy Altidore. Photo: AFP

Brilliant tactics helped the United States pull off a stunning 2-0 win over Spain yesterday and reach the Confederations Cup final, something coach Bob Bradley described as huge.

“For us it’s a big night, huge,” said Bradley.

A first-half strike from Villarreal’s Jozy Altidore and another 16 minutes from full time by Fulham’s Clint Dempsey did the damage in what will go down as one of the biggest victories in US football history.

They also had a flawless performance by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and a commendable defensive display to thank for earning them a shot at the trophy Monday.

“When you play Spain, you certainly have to work very hard as a group to defend,” said Bradley after the match.

Spain’s head coach Vicente del Bosque admitted his side were outfoxed.

“We faced a team that played with good energy, was good in attack and was fast. We were surprised. The entire team was very dangerous for us,” he said.

It was a remarkable upset on a freezing night that not only ended Spain’s record of 15 consecutive wins but also prevented them from surpassing Brazil’s 35-match unbeaten run.

Spain will have to be content with going into the history books level with the South Americans after their first loss since November 15, 2006.

Spain had the first chance of the match but the US weren’t sitting back and Charlie Davies sent
a spectacular bicycle kick flashing just wide.