US Soccer Plays at an Elite Level
A silent few probably saw some of the best soccer played by a US team in a long time on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, the second half brought out a ferocious Brazilian side that was not to be denied the Confederations Cup for the 2nd year in a row.
Kudos to Bob Bradley and team for their:
Athleticism: They looked like the fitter team for most of the night, yet the Brazilians played smarter and more opportunistic soccer, especially in the 2nd stanza.
Execution: The Americans converted on their chances in the 1st half, but the 2nd half was devoid of scoring opportunities. Conversely, Brazil weaved through the US defense for many 2nd half chances.
Communication: To succeed against the Brazilians, a team must communicate relentlessly. The defense looked solid and tight, but Brazil got into a rhythm that wore the US side down as the night grow longer.
