VOA标准英语2009-US Soccer Team Squeaks Into Confederations C

The U.S. Soccer Team has overcome long odds 1 to reach the Confederations Cup semifinals in South Africa. The U.S. defeated Egypt, 3-0, and got help from Brazil, which beat World Cup champion Italy by an identical 2 3-0 score.
　
USA's Charlie Davies, top, challenges Egypt's Hani Said, (l), and goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, (r), during Confederations Cup Group B match in Rustenburg, S. Africa, 21 June 2009

Counted out by just about everyone after lopsided losses to Italy and Brazil at this Confederations Cup, the U.S. Soccer team is surprisingly moving on to the semifinals by the narrowest of margins 3.

The second group tiebreaker had to be used after the USA, Italy and Egypt all finished with three points from one win and two losses. Brazil won all three of its matches to top Group B with nine points.

The Americans and Italians finished with goal differences of minus two, while Egypt had minus three. The next tiebreaker was goals scored, and the USA won out over Italy - 4 - 3.

The U.S. took the lead against Egypt in the 21st minute on a goal by forward Charlie Davies, who had not played in the previous two games. He managed to control a rebound 4 off the Egyptian goalkeeper who was sprawled 5 on the ground by the left post and booted it in off the keeper's hand.

The Americans held the 1-0 halftime lead. U.S. coach Bob Bradley said they knew in the other group match being played at the same time that Brazil had grabbed 6 a 3-0 lead over Italy at the intermission.

"At halftime, we felt if we were smart and we continued to press in a good way, then there would be chances and that we could get two more goals," Bradley said. "So in that regard, credit 7 the players for the push that they made throughout the game. And we're excited to move on."

The second goal for the United States came from the coach's son, midfielder Michael Bradley, in the 63rd minute, off a well-placed cross from captain Landon Donovan. The third goal - the one that would be the key to reaching the semifinals - was scored in the 71st minute on a header by midfielder Clint Dempsey off a long high pass into the box from defender 8 Jonathan Spector.
　
US Soccer team Coach Bob Bradley with Clint Dempsey at press conference in South Africa, 21 June 2009

Dempsey was named "Man of the Match". He said he knew only the day before the game that the Americans still had a mathematical 9 chance to make it to the semifinals. He said that to achieve what they did is something special and something to build on.

"You know, you want to end on a good note and try to get something out of this tournament," Dempsey said. "It was important to us to deal with what we dealt with - losing two games to two good teams [Italy and Brazil]. But we were still going to work hard and try to get something out of it, and we did. And I think that says a lot about our coaches and a lot about our team and our mentality 10 in trying to move forward and better ourselves as a national team and as footballers."

So the surprising turn of events on Sunday night with Brazil's 3-0 win over Italy and the Americans 3-0 win over Egypt puts the United States into the semifinals against European champion Spain - the Group A winner. Spain is on an international record 15-game winning streak 11.

Group B winner Brazil will face Group A runner-up, host South Africa.