BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - Talk about tests: After reaching the Confederations Cup semifinals in unlikely fashion, the reward for the United States soccer team is a matchup today with top-ranked Spain.
“The team is on a high for sure,’’ US coach Bob Bradley said Tuesday. “From a football standpoint, it’s a great challenge but we couldn’t be more excited for this chance.’’
The US is 0-3 against Spain, losing 3-1 in the first round of the 1950 World Cup, 2-0 in a 1992 exhibition at Valladolid and 1-0 in an exhibition on June 4 last year at Santander, when Xavi Hernandez beat backup goalkeeper Brad Guzan with a low shot in the 79th minute.
“They have less pressure, they have nothing to lose,’’ said Spanish midfielder Xavi Hernandez. “For them, it’s a positive that we assume the title of favorite, the responsibility and the pressure.’’
Spain, the European champion, has set an international record with 15 straight victories and will be trying to stretch its unbeaten streak to a record 36, breaking the mark set by Brazil from December 1993 to January 1996. Brazil’s streak includes a loss on penalty kicks to Uruguay in the 1995 Copa America final, which is considered a tie in FIFA’s records.
“A big part of playing them is not getting frustrated because you don’t have the ball,’’ said US forward Landon Donovan. “The other side of that is trying to put them under pressure. That’s our goal, and if we can do that we have a chance.’’
After losing, 3-1, to world champion Italy and 3-0 to South American champion Brazil, the 14th-ranked US reached the semis with a 3-0 victory over African champion Egypt as Brazil beat the Azzurri, 3-0. The winner of today’s game advances to the final against Brazil or host South Africa Sunday, while the loser goes to the third-place match the same day.
The US is 1-7-1 against top-ranked teams, beating Brazil in the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup, losing to Brazil seven times and tying Argentina June 8 last year during a downpour at Giants Stadium.
“We have to be very careful,’’ Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. “They have a very talented midfield that pushes upfield easily. They play very direct, attacking football.’’
