TORONTO (AP) - Dwayne De Rosario and Pablo Vitti scored either side of halftime to give Toronto FC a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.
In Major League Soccer's other match, the Colorado Rapids drew 1-1 with FC Dallas at home.
The home side opened the scoring in the 28th minute after a moment of indecision by Danny Cepero allowed forward Vitti to outjump the Red Bulls goalkeeper and nod the ball into the net.
Toronto doubled its lead in the 59th minute when Chad Barrett's cross found De Rosario behind the Red Bulls' defenders. De Rosario easily beat Cepero for his team-leading fifth goal.
The Red Bulls showed their frustration in the 77th minute when Adrian Serioux and Richards clashed at midfield. Both players were issued yellow cards for unsportsmanlike behavior.
The Red Bulls haven't won away from home since a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 10, 2008.
Toronto, which also beat last-place New York 2-1 on June 13, moved into sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference.
Omar Cummings scored the equalizer for Colorado in the 84th minute as the Rapids extended their franchise-record unbeaten streak to eight.
David Ferreira opened the scoring for Dallas in the 37th minute, before Cummings, who has four goals in his last five games, dribbled the ball inside the penalty area, where he fired a low shot past goalkeeper Ray Burse.
6/25/2009
Revolution, Wizards draw 1-1
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (AP) - New England defender Darrius Barnes conceded an own goal in the final minutes to give the Kansas City Wizards a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution in the Superliga club tournament Wednesday.
In Wednesday's other match, Santos earned its first point of the tournament in a scoreless draw with Atlas, which is yet to score or give up a goal.
The defending champion Revolution dominated most of the game despite playing a man short for the last 55 minutes after Michael Videira was sent off when his elbow to the head of Aaron Hohlbein earned him a red card.
Kenny Mansally and Videira missed chances in the first half before New England took a 1-0 lead in the first minute first-half stoppage time. Mansally chipped a ball over the head of a Kansas City defender to Kheli Dube, who easily beat keeper Kevin Hartman.
Barnes deflected Hercules Gomez's shot past goalkeeper Matt Reis in the 85th minute to concede the draw.
Both teams could advance to the second round. The Revolution host Atlas of Mexico on Sunday, while the Wizards are at home against Santos Laguna of Mexico.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the two Mexican teams played a 0-0 tie.
New England has four points after a win and tie in Group B of the tournament, which matches four teams from Major League Soccer with four teams from Mexico's Primera Division. The Wizards have two ties for two points.
Atlas dominated the play for most of the first half that featured few scoring chances. But Santos Laguna defender Christian Sanchez and Atlas striker Hebert Alferez both left after cracking heads in a violent collision early in the game.
Santos' Jorge Estrada had the two best opportunities. His shot at the near post in the 61st minute was turned away by keeper Jose Francisco Canales, and Estrada, after a setup from Vicente Vuosos, narrowly missed during second-half stoppage time.
"It was a complicated game, a very congested game, and neither team could generate many chances," Atlas captain Hugo Ayala said. "We know we have to win no matter what Sunday to continue in the tournament."
The Superliga matches four teams from Major League Soccer with four teams from Mexico's Primera Division.
In Wednesday's other match, Santos earned its first point of the tournament in a scoreless draw with Atlas, which is yet to score or give up a goal.
The defending champion Revolution dominated most of the game despite playing a man short for the last 55 minutes after Michael Videira was sent off when his elbow to the head of Aaron Hohlbein earned him a red card.
Kenny Mansally and Videira missed chances in the first half before New England took a 1-0 lead in the first minute first-half stoppage time. Mansally chipped a ball over the head of a Kansas City defender to Kheli Dube, who easily beat keeper Kevin Hartman.
Barnes deflected Hercules Gomez's shot past goalkeeper Matt Reis in the 85th minute to concede the draw.
Both teams could advance to the second round. The Revolution host Atlas of Mexico on Sunday, while the Wizards are at home against Santos Laguna of Mexico.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the two Mexican teams played a 0-0 tie.
New England has four points after a win and tie in Group B of the tournament, which matches four teams from Major League Soccer with four teams from Mexico's Primera Division. The Wizards have two ties for two points.
Atlas dominated the play for most of the first half that featured few scoring chances. But Santos Laguna defender Christian Sanchez and Atlas striker Hebert Alferez both left after cracking heads in a violent collision early in the game.
Santos' Jorge Estrada had the two best opportunities. His shot at the near post in the 61st minute was turned away by keeper Jose Francisco Canales, and Estrada, after a setup from Vicente Vuosos, narrowly missed during second-half stoppage time.
"It was a complicated game, a very congested game, and neither team could generate many chances," Atlas captain Hugo Ayala said. "We know we have to win no matter what Sunday to continue in the tournament."
The Superliga matches four teams from Major League Soccer with four teams from Mexico's Primera Division.
Colorado Rapids 1-1 FC Dallas
For the first 83 minutes, the Colorado Rapids appeared to be a desperate lot. Frustration grew with each missed scoring chance.
"It felt like one of those nights when nothing went you're way," Rapids forward Omar Cummings said. "But we were hoping and we got a chance."
The chance belonged to Cummings, and he made the most of it, scoring the tying goal in the 84th minute to help the Rapids extend their franchise-record unbeaten streak to eight with a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas on Wednesday night.
"Lucky, but we worked for it," Cummings said. "It wasn't given to us."
Cummings, who has four goals in his last five games, dribbled the ball inside the penalty area, where he fired a low shot past goalkeeper Ray Burse. The Rapids (5-2-6), 3-0-5 during their unbeaten stretch, bettered the previous mark of seven matches established April 10-May 27, 1999, and equaled Aug. 16-Oct. 2, 2003.
"I had been scoring lately, and the ball has been rolling my way," Cummings said. "Even after I got that goal, I felt like I should have gotten one on an earlier header."
"But we got a point and I'm happy for it."
Colorado's last loss was a 1-0 defeat April 19 at Houston.
"Sure, I would have liked a win," Rapids coach Gary Smith said. "We just couldn't finish."
David Ferreira scored in the 37th minute for Dallas (3-7-5).
"We did have the game under control most of the first half," Smith said. "They didn't have a shot and then they score on the first shot they take."
Despite being dominated in the first half, Dallas grabbed the lead on Ferreira's goal. Kenny Cooper sent a pass to Jeff Cunningham, who nudged the ball ahead to Ferreira outside the goal box, where he beat goalkeeper Matt Pickens for his second goal of the year.
Colorado had several chances to score first before Ferreira's goal. But Burse dived to swat away a shot by Nick LaBrocca in the 15th minute and knocked away a shot by Colin Clark from 25 yards in the 16th.
Clark missed wide right from just inside the penalty area in the 24th minute, and LaBrocca's header in the 45th sailed over the crossbar.
"We got a goal that surprised us and we were able to hold on for quite a while," FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. "Colorado put us under a tremendous amount of pressure and credit them for fighting it down to the end and getting a good goal from Cummings to tie the game."
Each team had a quality chance in the second half. Burse caught Cory Gibbs' shot in the 55th minute, while Pickens smothered a shot in the 66th by Andre Rocha, who got behind Colorado's defense for a breakaway.
Ugo Ihemelu missed on a header in the 81st minute for Colorado.
I don't we believe we're ever going to lose now," Clark said. "We believe we'll always find a goal."
The feeling was different in the FC Dallas locker room.
"The boys are very disappointed right now," Cunningham said. "We did get a point on the road against a very good team and we should be happy."
"It felt like one of those nights when nothing went you're way," Rapids forward Omar Cummings said. "But we were hoping and we got a chance."
The chance belonged to Cummings, and he made the most of it, scoring the tying goal in the 84th minute to help the Rapids extend their franchise-record unbeaten streak to eight with a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas on Wednesday night.
"Lucky, but we worked for it," Cummings said. "It wasn't given to us."
Cummings, who has four goals in his last five games, dribbled the ball inside the penalty area, where he fired a low shot past goalkeeper Ray Burse. The Rapids (5-2-6), 3-0-5 during their unbeaten stretch, bettered the previous mark of seven matches established April 10-May 27, 1999, and equaled Aug. 16-Oct. 2, 2003.
"I had been scoring lately, and the ball has been rolling my way," Cummings said. "Even after I got that goal, I felt like I should have gotten one on an earlier header."
"But we got a point and I'm happy for it."
Colorado's last loss was a 1-0 defeat April 19 at Houston.
"Sure, I would have liked a win," Rapids coach Gary Smith said. "We just couldn't finish."
David Ferreira scored in the 37th minute for Dallas (3-7-5).
"We did have the game under control most of the first half," Smith said. "They didn't have a shot and then they score on the first shot they take."
Despite being dominated in the first half, Dallas grabbed the lead on Ferreira's goal. Kenny Cooper sent a pass to Jeff Cunningham, who nudged the ball ahead to Ferreira outside the goal box, where he beat goalkeeper Matt Pickens for his second goal of the year.
Colorado had several chances to score first before Ferreira's goal. But Burse dived to swat away a shot by Nick LaBrocca in the 15th minute and knocked away a shot by Colin Clark from 25 yards in the 16th.
Clark missed wide right from just inside the penalty area in the 24th minute, and LaBrocca's header in the 45th sailed over the crossbar.
"We got a goal that surprised us and we were able to hold on for quite a while," FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. "Colorado put us under a tremendous amount of pressure and credit them for fighting it down to the end and getting a good goal from Cummings to tie the game."
Each team had a quality chance in the second half. Burse caught Cory Gibbs' shot in the 55th minute, while Pickens smothered a shot in the 66th by Andre Rocha, who got behind Colorado's defense for a breakaway.
Ugo Ihemelu missed on a header in the 81st minute for Colorado.
I don't we believe we're ever going to lose now," Clark said. "We believe we'll always find a goal."
The feeling was different in the FC Dallas locker room.
"The boys are very disappointed right now," Cunningham said. "We did get a point on the road against a very good team and we should be happy."
Revolution and Wizards tie 1-1
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - New England defender Darrius Barnes deflected Hercules Gomez's shot past goalkeeper Matt Reis in the 85th minute for an own goal to give the Kansas City Wizards a 1-1 tie with the Revolution in a Superliga tournament game Wednesday.
The defending champion Revolution dominated most of the game despite playing a man short for the last 55 minutes after Michael Videira was sent off when his elbow to the head of Aaron Hohlbein earned him a red card.
Both teams could advance to the second round. The Revolution host Atlas of Mexico on Sunday, while the Wizards are at home against Santos Laguna of Mexico.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the two Mexican teams played a 0-0 tie.
New England has four points after a win and tie in Group B of the tournament, which matches four teams from Major League Soccer with four teams from Mexico's Primera Division. The Wizards have two ties for two points.
The Revolution, playing without their top three scorers and with seven players on the injured list, carried the early play.
Kenny Mansally and Videira missed close-in chances in the first half before New England took a 1-0 lead in the first minute of stoppage time. Mansally chipped a ball over the head of a Kansas City defender to Kheli Dube, who easily beat keeper Kevin Hartman.
New England kept the Wizards bottled up until the final minutes. Gomez's dangerous cross in the 76th minute was stopped by Reis, and Josh Wolff's header barely missed in the 83rd minute.
Kansas City pressed after tying the game on the own goal, but the undermanned Revolution hung on for the draw.
"We'll dust ourselves off, take the point, and go home to face a good Santos Laguna team," said Kansas City coach Curt Onalfo, who admitted his team was "lucky" to be down only 1-0 at the half. "I thought we regrouped and played extremely hard in the second half."
Revolution coach Steve Nicol criticized Videira's red card, calling it "accidental contact" and claiming it was called by the fourth official, not the referee.
"If we're going to send people off for accidental contact, there' going to be a lot of people going off," he said.
Vieira will not be available for Sunday's game.
A frustrated Nicol also criticized the tournament format, which calls for the teams to play three times in eight days, as "impossible."
Atlas has yet to score or give up a goal in the tournament. Santos garnered its first point,
Atlas carried the play for most of the first half that featured few scoring chances. But Santos Laguna defender Christian Sanchez and Atlas striker Hebert Alferez both left after cracking heads in a violent collision early in the game.
Santos' Jorge Estrada had the two best chances. His shot at the near post in the 61st minute was turned away by keeper Jose Francisco Canales, and Estrada, after a setup from Vicente Vuosos, narrowly missed during second-half stoppage time.
"It was a complicated game, a very congested game, and neither team could generate many chances," Atlas captain Hugo Ayala said. "We know we have to win no matter what Sunday to continue in the tournament."
The defending champion Revolution dominated most of the game despite playing a man short for the last 55 minutes after Michael Videira was sent off when his elbow to the head of Aaron Hohlbein earned him a red card.
Both teams could advance to the second round. The Revolution host Atlas of Mexico on Sunday, while the Wizards are at home against Santos Laguna of Mexico.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the two Mexican teams played a 0-0 tie.
New England has four points after a win and tie in Group B of the tournament, which matches four teams from Major League Soccer with four teams from Mexico's Primera Division. The Wizards have two ties for two points.
The Revolution, playing without their top three scorers and with seven players on the injured list, carried the early play.
Kenny Mansally and Videira missed close-in chances in the first half before New England took a 1-0 lead in the first minute of stoppage time. Mansally chipped a ball over the head of a Kansas City defender to Kheli Dube, who easily beat keeper Kevin Hartman.
New England kept the Wizards bottled up until the final minutes. Gomez's dangerous cross in the 76th minute was stopped by Reis, and Josh Wolff's header barely missed in the 83rd minute.
Kansas City pressed after tying the game on the own goal, but the undermanned Revolution hung on for the draw.
"We'll dust ourselves off, take the point, and go home to face a good Santos Laguna team," said Kansas City coach Curt Onalfo, who admitted his team was "lucky" to be down only 1-0 at the half. "I thought we regrouped and played extremely hard in the second half."
Revolution coach Steve Nicol criticized Videira's red card, calling it "accidental contact" and claiming it was called by the fourth official, not the referee.
"If we're going to send people off for accidental contact, there' going to be a lot of people going off," he said.
Vieira will not be available for Sunday's game.
A frustrated Nicol also criticized the tournament format, which calls for the teams to play three times in eight days, as "impossible."
Atlas has yet to score or give up a goal in the tournament. Santos garnered its first point,
Atlas carried the play for most of the first half that featured few scoring chances. But Santos Laguna defender Christian Sanchez and Atlas striker Hebert Alferez both left after cracking heads in a violent collision early in the game.
Santos' Jorge Estrada had the two best chances. His shot at the near post in the 61st minute was turned away by keeper Jose Francisco Canales, and Estrada, after a setup from Vicente Vuosos, narrowly missed during second-half stoppage time.
"It was a complicated game, a very congested game, and neither team could generate many chances," Atlas captain Hugo Ayala said. "We know we have to win no matter what Sunday to continue in the tournament."
Mexico wins friendly over Venezuela 4-0
ATLANTA (AP) - Giovani Dos Santos scored twice and set up another to help Mexico beat Venezuela 4-0 in a friendly in the Georgia Dome on Wednesday.
Mexico plays a second friendly against Guatemala on Sunday in San Diego.
Coach Javier Aguirre was using these matches to hone El Tri for an Aug. 12 World Cup qualifier in Mexico City against the United States, which advanced to the Confederations Cup final with a stunning 2-0 upset of top-ranked Spain on Wednesday in South Africa.
According to El Tri general manager Nestor De La Torre, Mexico's current squad will stay in place only through the friendlies. He and Aguirre could make several changes before the Gold Cup games.
"It's too early to draw conclusions," Aguirre said. "I have told the players that all 23 of them will be playing in these five matches. After that, we should have a good idea as to who will be starting."
Dos Santos fed Carlos Vela, who easily beat Rafael Romo when the Venezuela goalkeeper fell in front of the box, for the opening goal in the 45th minute.
Four minutes earlier, Romo fell face-down on the grass with an apparent injury, but he never left the field.
Dos Santos fired in his first goal three minutes after halftime, and less than three minutes later he made it 3-0 when he went for a high kick against Romo in the box. The ball ricocheted off Romo, and Dos Santos quickly gained control to hit the back of the net.
Omar Arellano capped the scoring in the 73rd before a mainly pro-Mexico crowd of 51,115.
Georgia Dome operators installed a temporary grass surface for the first time since it opened in 1992.
Mexico plays a second friendly against Guatemala on Sunday in San Diego.
Coach Javier Aguirre was using these matches to hone El Tri for an Aug. 12 World Cup qualifier in Mexico City against the United States, which advanced to the Confederations Cup final with a stunning 2-0 upset of top-ranked Spain on Wednesday in South Africa.
According to El Tri general manager Nestor De La Torre, Mexico's current squad will stay in place only through the friendlies. He and Aguirre could make several changes before the Gold Cup games.
"It's too early to draw conclusions," Aguirre said. "I have told the players that all 23 of them will be playing in these five matches. After that, we should have a good idea as to who will be starting."
Dos Santos fed Carlos Vela, who easily beat Rafael Romo when the Venezuela goalkeeper fell in front of the box, for the opening goal in the 45th minute.
Four minutes earlier, Romo fell face-down on the grass with an apparent injury, but he never left the field.
Dos Santos fired in his first goal three minutes after halftime, and less than three minutes later he made it 3-0 when he went for a high kick against Romo in the box. The ball ricocheted off Romo, and Dos Santos quickly gained control to hit the back of the net.
Omar Arellano capped the scoring in the 73rd before a mainly pro-Mexico crowd of 51,115.
Georgia Dome operators installed a temporary grass surface for the first time since it opened in 1992.
Cruzeiro downs Gremio 3-1 in to open semis
BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) - Cruzeiro took an important step toward reaching the Copa Libertadores finals with a 3-1 win over fellow Brazilian side Gremio 3-1 on Wednesday.
Gremio looked all but eliminated after falling three goals behind in the Mineirao stadium, but Souza scored a vital away goal to ensure the second leg of the semifinal will be a tense affair.
The home side played a confident first half and took the lead in the 38th minute when Kleber crossed from the right for Wellington Paulista to beat his marker and score.
Cruzeiro continued to pressure after the break and extended the lead barely 90 seconds into the second half when Wagner's deflected shot beat Gremio goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe.
Wagner should have scored again in the 58th minute, skewing his shot badly when free at the back post, but Fabinho headed Cruzeiro into a three-goal lead in the 67th minute.
Chilean referee Enrique Osses left the pitch with an injury shortly after and his replacement Jorge Osorio penalized Kleber for handball on the edge of the Cruzeiro box in the 79th minute.
Souza took full advantage, whipping a free kick over the wall to keep Gremio's hopes alive for the return leg at the Olimpico stadium in Porto Alegre.
Cruzeiro had won all its previous home matches in the Libertadores, but lined up against Gremio without midfield inspiration Ramires, who was on international duty for Brazil in the Confederations Cup.
Souza had a chance to equalize from long range in the 42nd minute, but his shot was palmed away at full stretch by Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio.
Nacional of Uruguay and Estudiantes of Argentina will dispute the other semifinal at Montevideo on Thursday. The return legs will be played Wednesday and Thursday next week.
The two-legged final of the Copa Libertadores will be played on July 8 and 15.
Gremio looked all but eliminated after falling three goals behind in the Mineirao stadium, but Souza scored a vital away goal to ensure the second leg of the semifinal will be a tense affair.
The home side played a confident first half and took the lead in the 38th minute when Kleber crossed from the right for Wellington Paulista to beat his marker and score.
Cruzeiro continued to pressure after the break and extended the lead barely 90 seconds into the second half when Wagner's deflected shot beat Gremio goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe.
Wagner should have scored again in the 58th minute, skewing his shot badly when free at the back post, but Fabinho headed Cruzeiro into a three-goal lead in the 67th minute.
Chilean referee Enrique Osses left the pitch with an injury shortly after and his replacement Jorge Osorio penalized Kleber for handball on the edge of the Cruzeiro box in the 79th minute.
Souza took full advantage, whipping a free kick over the wall to keep Gremio's hopes alive for the return leg at the Olimpico stadium in Porto Alegre.
Cruzeiro had won all its previous home matches in the Libertadores, but lined up against Gremio without midfield inspiration Ramires, who was on international duty for Brazil in the Confederations Cup.
Souza had a chance to equalize from long range in the 42nd minute, but his shot was palmed away at full stretch by Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio.
Nacional of Uruguay and Estudiantes of Argentina will dispute the other semifinal at Montevideo on Thursday. The return legs will be played Wednesday and Thursday next week.
The two-legged final of the Copa Libertadores will be played on July 8 and 15.
Toronto FC 2-0 New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls haven't won a regular-season game on the road in well over a year. On Wednesday night in Toronto that streak showed no signs of nearing an end.
Dwayne De Rosario and Pablo Vitti scored to give Toronto FC a 2-0 victory over the Red Bulls, extending New York's road winless streak to 21 regular-season games.
New York (2-11-4) dropped to 0-7-2 in its last nine games overall with its second defeat to Toronto (6-5-4) in 11 days. The Red Bulls haven't won away from home since a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 10, 2008.
"The stats tell you that we have not won on the road. But in the playoffs we beat Real Salt Lake away from home and probably most importantly Houston away from home. So I disagree," said Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "I tell my players we are capable of winning away from home and hopefully we will change it soon."
Toronto opened the scoring in the 28th minute after a moment of indecision by Danny Cepero allowed forward Pablo Vitti to outjump the Red Bulls goalkeeper and head home his first MLS goal.
"I was slow to react. With Toronto shooting a lot from long range I was a little hesitant and didn't except it so I was caught off guard," Cepero said of the goal. "On a better day I would come and collect it or at least try to punch it out."
The goal from Vitti seemed to ignite the home side, which went on to test Cepero with several long-range strikes.
"There wasn't much in the game up until the goal and then I think we dominated the game without really stretching ourselves," Toronto coach Chris Cummins said. "It was a very good professional performance."
Toronto doubled the lead in the 59th minute when a Chad Barrett cross found Dwayne De Rosario behind the Red Bulls' back four to easily chip Cepero. The goal was De Rosario's team-leading fifth of the season.
"We got beat (twice) by the ball over the top, the second to De Rosario of all people, who we pointed out was a dangerous, attacking player," Cepero said. "It's frustrating."
New York played the entire second half without captain Juan Pablo Angel, who was replaced by Dane Richards at the restart.
"(Angel) is carrying an injury so unfortunately we could not keep him in the game," Osorio said.
The Red Bulls play two more road games before returning home July 16 to face Los Angeles in what is expected to be David Beckham's return to MLS.
"That is the 64,000 dollar question," Cepero said of how to fix the team's inability to win away from home. "It is not a talent thing. We have the players here who are very capable of winning. It comes down to the intangibles: the fire, the passion and the belief that we can win."
New York played without defender Mike Petke, who served the first of a two-game suspension for comments made toward an official. Defender Kevin Goldthwaite was also suspended for New York due to yellow-card accumulation.
Toronto wore pink jerseys in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Prior to the match, Toronto traded midfielder Kevin Harmse to Chivas USA for allocation money.
Dwayne De Rosario and Pablo Vitti scored to give Toronto FC a 2-0 victory over the Red Bulls, extending New York's road winless streak to 21 regular-season games.
New York (2-11-4) dropped to 0-7-2 in its last nine games overall with its second defeat to Toronto (6-5-4) in 11 days. The Red Bulls haven't won away from home since a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 10, 2008.
"The stats tell you that we have not won on the road. But in the playoffs we beat Real Salt Lake away from home and probably most importantly Houston away from home. So I disagree," said Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "I tell my players we are capable of winning away from home and hopefully we will change it soon."
Toronto opened the scoring in the 28th minute after a moment of indecision by Danny Cepero allowed forward Pablo Vitti to outjump the Red Bulls goalkeeper and head home his first MLS goal.
"I was slow to react. With Toronto shooting a lot from long range I was a little hesitant and didn't except it so I was caught off guard," Cepero said of the goal. "On a better day I would come and collect it or at least try to punch it out."
The goal from Vitti seemed to ignite the home side, which went on to test Cepero with several long-range strikes.
"There wasn't much in the game up until the goal and then I think we dominated the game without really stretching ourselves," Toronto coach Chris Cummins said. "It was a very good professional performance."
Toronto doubled the lead in the 59th minute when a Chad Barrett cross found Dwayne De Rosario behind the Red Bulls' back four to easily chip Cepero. The goal was De Rosario's team-leading fifth of the season.
"We got beat (twice) by the ball over the top, the second to De Rosario of all people, who we pointed out was a dangerous, attacking player," Cepero said. "It's frustrating."
New York played the entire second half without captain Juan Pablo Angel, who was replaced by Dane Richards at the restart.
"(Angel) is carrying an injury so unfortunately we could not keep him in the game," Osorio said.
The Red Bulls play two more road games before returning home July 16 to face Los Angeles in what is expected to be David Beckham's return to MLS.
"That is the 64,000 dollar question," Cepero said of how to fix the team's inability to win away from home. "It is not a talent thing. We have the players here who are very capable of winning. It comes down to the intangibles: the fire, the passion and the belief that we can win."
New York played without defender Mike Petke, who served the first of a two-game suspension for comments made toward an official. Defender Kevin Goldthwaite was also suspended for New York due to yellow-card accumulation.
Toronto wore pink jerseys in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Prior to the match, Toronto traded midfielder Kevin Harmse to Chivas USA for allocation money.
Revolution and Wizards draw 1-1 in SuperLiga
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (AP) - New England Revolution defender Darrius Barnes deflected in Hercules Gomez's cross in the 85th minute for an own goal to give the Kansas City Wizards a 1-1 draw in a SuperLiga match on Wednesday.
Kheli Dube put New England ahead on halftime.
Defending champion New England dominated most of the game despite playing a man short for the last 55 minutes after Michael Videira was sent off for an elbow to the head of Aaron Hohlbein.
Both teams could advance to the semifinals. New England host Atlas of Mexico on Sunday, while Kansas City is at home against Santos Laguna of Mexico.
Kheli Dube put New England ahead on halftime.
Defending champion New England dominated most of the game despite playing a man short for the last 55 minutes after Michael Videira was sent off for an elbow to the head of Aaron Hohlbein.
Both teams could advance to the semifinals. New England host Atlas of Mexico on Sunday, while Kansas City is at home against Santos Laguna of Mexico.
6/24/2009
Biggest U.S. win ever? You better believe it
The United States made history tonight in South Africa, stunning the No. 1 ranked team in the world and reaching the finals of the Confederations Cup with a 2-0 victory over the European giants, Spain.
The win snapped a 35-game unbeaten streak by the Spaniards and gives the USA a chance to win its first FIFA title at the senior level.
It was also unbelievable.
This was the victory American fans have been dying to see. It was against a major team, in a major tournament, and on foreign soil. Tonight's result was the biggest win ever in American soccer's long and fitful history, and the first time the USA had downed a No. 1 ranked team since that famous 1998 win over Brazil in the Gold Cup. That night, keeper Kasey Keller was the hero, stopping some 35 shots.
Tonight, it was a team effort, and it was arguably the best game the American senior team has ever played start to finish.
Even more remarkable was the fact that this win came on the heels of two dismal games to open a tournament seemingly headed for disaster. This side looked cooked. U.S. Soccer was flooded with angry emails, and for perhaps the first time, the team was put on notice just how many people were paying them serious attention.
Let's put this in perspective. The Americans have never before won a big game away from home quite like this. Yes, in 2002, they made the World Cup quarterfinals in Korea — but the team they beat was Mexico, an opponent they were familiar with.
The opening night win over Portugal in that Cup was perhaps the signature win before tonight, but even that one didn't look quite as great after the Portuguese nose-dived out of the Korean event in the first round.
And, in 1998, a spectacular Gold Cup victory over Brazil came in a tournament that the South American giants were invited to as guests. And that 1-0 win was staged on home soil, in Los Angeles.
Even the best result in recent memory is a bit underwhelming. Arguably, it was the 1-1 draw against eventual world champions Italy in the 2006 World Cup. We praised a nine-man team's courage that night more than anything else.
Maybe you have to go all the way back to the 1950 World Cup, and the USA's upset of England in Belo Horizonte, to get a comparable result to tonight's. And that was 59 years ago, before U.S. Soccer was the organization it is today. And remember, as has been so often reported, the result made no impression on the American sporting public whatsoever.
This, tonight, is very different. There was live television coverage and there will be post-game talk on sports radio and TV. This is now the Internet age and the web will be filled with reactions — applause, not silence, will greet the winners this evening.
The Americans are now assured of having their best-ever finish in a FIFA tournament at the senior level in the modern era. And even if they come in second, it's a huge achievement for a program that finished dead last in the 1998 World Cup and last in their group in 2006.
The question remains — was this a one-off? Is this a sign of growing maturity for a team that has too often underperformed and been wildly erratic? And what does this mean for next year's World Cup?
Because the Americans have built up so many hopes over the years, only to flame out, the fact is that until the USA puts together a solid streak of wins, some of those doubts will remain.
Yet as it happens, the USA's finish in the Confederations Cup has been a remarkably accurate predictor for future World Cup success.
When the USA have played well in the Confederations Cup — 1992, 1999 — the Americans have gone on to some World Cup success. When they have flopped, such as in 2003, they have gone on to stink out the house at the big show.
Fans should keep in mind that this group represents the core of the squad. It's a radically different eleven from the side which started a "prove it" month with a 3-0 loss in Costa Rica and even began this event with back-to-back losses. The changes have been gradual — some forced by injury, some by players' form costing them their jobs. Coach Bob Bradley may finally have hit the right combination with tonight's group, especially the back four that performed so well under pressure.
If Bradley and his group can build on today's success, the future is bright. That said, this team now will be held to a higher standard. Now they will have to keep winning big ones to carry the momentum into next year's World Cup.
But back to the game. It took a gutsy 3-0 win against a tired Egypt side — combined with a shocking 3-0 collapse by Italy against Brazil — to put the Americans into tonight's game through the back door.
That was lucky.
Tonight wasn't.
Perhaps riled up by insistent criticism of their style of play and their seemingly indifferent manner, the Americans came out attacking from the whistle, startling a Spanish side that probably thought they were in for an easier night. Some of their fans will try to call it an off night for the champs. To be sure, Spain didn't look as sharp as they could have. But, given that they had an extra day of rest, the onus was on them. And the scoreboard is plain.
Landon Donovan, the player of the tournament for the USA, was again the man of the match, steering the USA calmly through the Spanish midfield, and using Charlie Davies to great effect.
While the USA mainly employed "Route One" soccer and attacked right down the gut, the Americans grew more confident as the game went on and started to play the type of possession game Spain is feted for. Ricardo Clark and Michael Bradley linked up well in midfield, pushing off one another and covering a great deal of ground out wide and down the gut.
But the revelation of the evening had to be the use of Carlos Bocanegra at left back. Employed at that position by his club team, Rennes, and earlier on the national team by former U.S. boss Bruce Arena, Bocanegra has often looked at sea alongside Oguchi Onyewu in the middle.
Due to what now appears to be a most fortuitous hamstring injury to Bocanegra, Jay DeMerit seized that central position in this tournament and has clearly stolen it, forming an unbreakable tandem with the burly Belgium-based defender. Having Bocanegra out wide opposite Jonathan Spector finally gave the USA some speed and bite down the flanks, allowing them to play the kind of countering game not seen since 2002.
We lost count of the times that either DeMerit or Onyewu got a boot in just in time to cut off a Spanish cross. But we never failed to notice that both men stayed on their feet most of the game, were never in danger of fouling near their goal and read the match with impeccable precision.
Oh yes, they both won just about everything that came their way in the air, foiling a frustrated Spain whenever their crafty play did create space wide and made room for a cross.
Jozy Altidore, who scored the game-winner in the 27th must be elated. The burly 19-year old, left on the bench at not one but two Spanish clubs, flung aside his teammate Joan Capdevila to score on a breakaway created by Davies and passed along by Clint Dempsey. It was a feat of sheer strength and willpower, and it was the goal that broke the game wide open. Suddenly, the Americans were ahead, to stay.
And how sweet is it for Dempsey, who has come under intense, and often unfair, scrutiny for his supposed lack of defensive effort? The Fulham man nailed the capper, reeling in a ball from Donovan, and tipped by Gerard Pique, to slam it home through Sergio Ramos' legs. His goal didn't totally deflate the Spanish, but it did ice the game.
The Americans would not have been able to hold on if not for that back four. DeMerit and Onyewu were tireless, and spent 20 minutes under heavy siege by an increasingly desperate Spanish side. Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who had sat during the last match, turned in an virtuoso effort in a start not everyone thought was fully deserved after the performance Brad Guzan turned in on Sunday. Howard made five critical saves to preserve not only the win, but also a clean sheet, by stonewalling David Villa and Fernando Torres.
But it all comes back to Donovan. In this tournament, he has shone. In the losses, he was the man urging his team to wake up. In the wins, he has been the man pulling the strings. Donovan's been the architect, and he deserves credit for the wins, just as he has been willing to publicly shoulder the losses. Tonight may finally allow him to shake off the naysayers who have dogged him his entire career.
There are still problems, though. For the third time in four games, an American player was sent off. Michael Bradley was shown the exit in the 86th for a tackle on Xavi Alonso and will now miss the final. That didn't matter much tonight, but it may hurt the Americans badly against Brazil (who should beat South Africa on Thursday in the other semifinal).
The USA is likely to appeal the red — also, likely, to no avail — for the tackle was neither reckless nor dangerous. But, seeing as the USA has made a habit of bad tackles in this tournament, refs have been keeping a close eye on matters, and the coach's son, unfairly, paid the price.
Tonight, however, the USA is sure to celebrate. They deserve it. For once, they've been able to put together the pieces and play a complete game. And look what happens.
The win snapped a 35-game unbeaten streak by the Spaniards and gives the USA a chance to win its first FIFA title at the senior level.
It was also unbelievable.
This was the victory American fans have been dying to see. It was against a major team, in a major tournament, and on foreign soil. Tonight's result was the biggest win ever in American soccer's long and fitful history, and the first time the USA had downed a No. 1 ranked team since that famous 1998 win over Brazil in the Gold Cup. That night, keeper Kasey Keller was the hero, stopping some 35 shots.
Tonight, it was a team effort, and it was arguably the best game the American senior team has ever played start to finish.
Even more remarkable was the fact that this win came on the heels of two dismal games to open a tournament seemingly headed for disaster. This side looked cooked. U.S. Soccer was flooded with angry emails, and for perhaps the first time, the team was put on notice just how many people were paying them serious attention.
Let's put this in perspective. The Americans have never before won a big game away from home quite like this. Yes, in 2002, they made the World Cup quarterfinals in Korea — but the team they beat was Mexico, an opponent they were familiar with.
The opening night win over Portugal in that Cup was perhaps the signature win before tonight, but even that one didn't look quite as great after the Portuguese nose-dived out of the Korean event in the first round.
And, in 1998, a spectacular Gold Cup victory over Brazil came in a tournament that the South American giants were invited to as guests. And that 1-0 win was staged on home soil, in Los Angeles.
Even the best result in recent memory is a bit underwhelming. Arguably, it was the 1-1 draw against eventual world champions Italy in the 2006 World Cup. We praised a nine-man team's courage that night more than anything else.
Maybe you have to go all the way back to the 1950 World Cup, and the USA's upset of England in Belo Horizonte, to get a comparable result to tonight's. And that was 59 years ago, before U.S. Soccer was the organization it is today. And remember, as has been so often reported, the result made no impression on the American sporting public whatsoever.
This, tonight, is very different. There was live television coverage and there will be post-game talk on sports radio and TV. This is now the Internet age and the web will be filled with reactions — applause, not silence, will greet the winners this evening.
The Americans are now assured of having their best-ever finish in a FIFA tournament at the senior level in the modern era. And even if they come in second, it's a huge achievement for a program that finished dead last in the 1998 World Cup and last in their group in 2006.
The question remains — was this a one-off? Is this a sign of growing maturity for a team that has too often underperformed and been wildly erratic? And what does this mean for next year's World Cup?
Because the Americans have built up so many hopes over the years, only to flame out, the fact is that until the USA puts together a solid streak of wins, some of those doubts will remain.
Yet as it happens, the USA's finish in the Confederations Cup has been a remarkably accurate predictor for future World Cup success.
When the USA have played well in the Confederations Cup — 1992, 1999 — the Americans have gone on to some World Cup success. When they have flopped, such as in 2003, they have gone on to stink out the house at the big show.
Fans should keep in mind that this group represents the core of the squad. It's a radically different eleven from the side which started a "prove it" month with a 3-0 loss in Costa Rica and even began this event with back-to-back losses. The changes have been gradual — some forced by injury, some by players' form costing them their jobs. Coach Bob Bradley may finally have hit the right combination with tonight's group, especially the back four that performed so well under pressure.
If Bradley and his group can build on today's success, the future is bright. That said, this team now will be held to a higher standard. Now they will have to keep winning big ones to carry the momentum into next year's World Cup.
But back to the game. It took a gutsy 3-0 win against a tired Egypt side — combined with a shocking 3-0 collapse by Italy against Brazil — to put the Americans into tonight's game through the back door.
That was lucky.
Tonight wasn't.
Perhaps riled up by insistent criticism of their style of play and their seemingly indifferent manner, the Americans came out attacking from the whistle, startling a Spanish side that probably thought they were in for an easier night. Some of their fans will try to call it an off night for the champs. To be sure, Spain didn't look as sharp as they could have. But, given that they had an extra day of rest, the onus was on them. And the scoreboard is plain.
Landon Donovan, the player of the tournament for the USA, was again the man of the match, steering the USA calmly through the Spanish midfield, and using Charlie Davies to great effect.
While the USA mainly employed "Route One" soccer and attacked right down the gut, the Americans grew more confident as the game went on and started to play the type of possession game Spain is feted for. Ricardo Clark and Michael Bradley linked up well in midfield, pushing off one another and covering a great deal of ground out wide and down the gut.
But the revelation of the evening had to be the use of Carlos Bocanegra at left back. Employed at that position by his club team, Rennes, and earlier on the national team by former U.S. boss Bruce Arena, Bocanegra has often looked at sea alongside Oguchi Onyewu in the middle.
Due to what now appears to be a most fortuitous hamstring injury to Bocanegra, Jay DeMerit seized that central position in this tournament and has clearly stolen it, forming an unbreakable tandem with the burly Belgium-based defender. Having Bocanegra out wide opposite Jonathan Spector finally gave the USA some speed and bite down the flanks, allowing them to play the kind of countering game not seen since 2002.
We lost count of the times that either DeMerit or Onyewu got a boot in just in time to cut off a Spanish cross. But we never failed to notice that both men stayed on their feet most of the game, were never in danger of fouling near their goal and read the match with impeccable precision.
Oh yes, they both won just about everything that came their way in the air, foiling a frustrated Spain whenever their crafty play did create space wide and made room for a cross.
Jozy Altidore, who scored the game-winner in the 27th must be elated. The burly 19-year old, left on the bench at not one but two Spanish clubs, flung aside his teammate Joan Capdevila to score on a breakaway created by Davies and passed along by Clint Dempsey. It was a feat of sheer strength and willpower, and it was the goal that broke the game wide open. Suddenly, the Americans were ahead, to stay.
And how sweet is it for Dempsey, who has come under intense, and often unfair, scrutiny for his supposed lack of defensive effort? The Fulham man nailed the capper, reeling in a ball from Donovan, and tipped by Gerard Pique, to slam it home through Sergio Ramos' legs. His goal didn't totally deflate the Spanish, but it did ice the game.
The Americans would not have been able to hold on if not for that back four. DeMerit and Onyewu were tireless, and spent 20 minutes under heavy siege by an increasingly desperate Spanish side. Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who had sat during the last match, turned in an virtuoso effort in a start not everyone thought was fully deserved after the performance Brad Guzan turned in on Sunday. Howard made five critical saves to preserve not only the win, but also a clean sheet, by stonewalling David Villa and Fernando Torres.
But it all comes back to Donovan. In this tournament, he has shone. In the losses, he was the man urging his team to wake up. In the wins, he has been the man pulling the strings. Donovan's been the architect, and he deserves credit for the wins, just as he has been willing to publicly shoulder the losses. Tonight may finally allow him to shake off the naysayers who have dogged him his entire career.
There are still problems, though. For the third time in four games, an American player was sent off. Michael Bradley was shown the exit in the 86th for a tackle on Xavi Alonso and will now miss the final. That didn't matter much tonight, but it may hurt the Americans badly against Brazil (who should beat South Africa on Thursday in the other semifinal).
The USA is likely to appeal the red — also, likely, to no avail — for the tackle was neither reckless nor dangerous. But, seeing as the USA has made a habit of bad tackles in this tournament, refs have been keeping a close eye on matters, and the coach's son, unfairly, paid the price.
Tonight, however, the USA is sure to celebrate. They deserve it. For once, they've been able to put together the pieces and play a complete game. And look what happens.
U.S. euphoric after upset of Spain
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - Landon Donovan's father e-mailed him a photo of the United States ice hockey team's upset of the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics before Wednesday's game.
After upsetting European champion Spain 2-0, U.S. coach Bob Bradley compared it to the Americans' 1-0 victory over England at the 1950 World Cup.
It was that kind of night for the U.S., one in which emotions mixed with history.
"It's always important to look at the milestones and it began with that one with England. But there have been many more since and we're just glad to add to the list," Bradley said upon reaching the Confederations Cup final - the first FIFA men's final at any level for the Americans.
The opponent on Sunday will be either five-time World Cup champion Brazil or host South Africa - and at this point the Americans believe they're capable of beating either team.
"Sure. We just beat the best team in the world," Donovan said. "Emotionally we're on a bit of a high. We might be a little tired physically but we'll be ready for it. We don't play in a lot of finals."
Donovan was taken aback when a reporter asked him if beating Spain could be compared to the 1980 hockey game.
"My dad e-mailed me that photo today," he said. "It's funny you mentioned that."
While the United States reached the semifinals of the 1930 World Cup, the team experienced some very dark times before re-emerging in the last 20 years. The Americans reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, losing to eventual runner-up Germany.
"This isn't the first game where we've showed well against a big opponent," said 19-year-old forward Jozy Altidore, who set the tone by scoring in the 27th minute on Wednesday. "But then again, everyone is harsh against us, which is fine. We just have to try and keep producing these results. Slowly but surely we're getting better as a nation."
Bradley took over from Bruce Arena in 2006 when Juergen Klinsmann turned down the job.
"We're learning how to move on the field as a team. Everything we're doing is at a higher level," Bradley said.
"It's not like it's one thing. It's a package of everything. I think in the last year more and more players are starting to realize that and we have a chance now against great teams like tonight. It's not like we just feel we belong on the field, but that we can win."
After upsetting European champion Spain 2-0, U.S. coach Bob Bradley compared it to the Americans' 1-0 victory over England at the 1950 World Cup.
It was that kind of night for the U.S., one in which emotions mixed with history.
"It's always important to look at the milestones and it began with that one with England. But there have been many more since and we're just glad to add to the list," Bradley said upon reaching the Confederations Cup final - the first FIFA men's final at any level for the Americans.
The opponent on Sunday will be either five-time World Cup champion Brazil or host South Africa - and at this point the Americans believe they're capable of beating either team.
"Sure. We just beat the best team in the world," Donovan said. "Emotionally we're on a bit of a high. We might be a little tired physically but we'll be ready for it. We don't play in a lot of finals."
Donovan was taken aback when a reporter asked him if beating Spain could be compared to the 1980 hockey game.
"My dad e-mailed me that photo today," he said. "It's funny you mentioned that."
While the United States reached the semifinals of the 1930 World Cup, the team experienced some very dark times before re-emerging in the last 20 years. The Americans reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, losing to eventual runner-up Germany.
"This isn't the first game where we've showed well against a big opponent," said 19-year-old forward Jozy Altidore, who set the tone by scoring in the 27th minute on Wednesday. "But then again, everyone is harsh against us, which is fine. We just have to try and keep producing these results. Slowly but surely we're getting better as a nation."
Bradley took over from Bruce Arena in 2006 when Juergen Klinsmann turned down the job.
"We're learning how to move on the field as a team. Everything we're doing is at a higher level," Bradley said.
"It's not like it's one thing. It's a package of everything. I think in the last year more and more players are starting to realize that and we have a chance now against great teams like tonight. It's not like we just feel we belong on the field, but that we can win."
Preview: Colorado vs. FC Dallas
The Colorado Rapids are on the brink of a franchise-record unbeaten streak, and Omar Cummings is playing a key role filling in for their top scorer.
The MLS player of the week will try to help the Rapids remain unbeaten for an eighth consecutive game Wednesday night when they host FC Dallas.
The Rapids (5-2-5) have gone 3-0-4 in their last seven games, an undefeated run that they haven't achieved since Aug. 16-Oct. 2, 2003. Colorado also went seven matches without a loss from April 10-May 27, 1999, when they had a seven-game winning streak at a time when MLS used shootouts to break ties.
Colorado kept its run intact Saturday, when Cummings had two goals and assisted on Colin Clark's score in a 3-0 win over Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United.
"I thought we were disappointing with the ball, there were a lot of occasions where we squandered possessions easily, but the difference was Omar," Rapids coach Gary Smith said.
Cummings is second on the team with five goals and his career-high six assists are second-most in the league, one less than the total of Houston's Brian Davis.
Cummings has three goals and three assists in the last four games, picking up the scoring slack for a Rapids team that has been without forward Conor Casey for the past two contests. Casey is second in the league with eight goals.
Colorado was expected to have Casey available against Dallas (3-7-4). However, the United States' improbable qualification for the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa will rule him out until the Rapids host Chicago on July 4.
Cummings will also be leaving the club, as he's been recalled to the Jamaica national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup from July 3-26. He's expected to join the squad after Sunday's match at Seattle.
Smith appears to already be in communication with another forward who can provide Colorado with more depth up front.
"He will come from outside the MLS, definitely, and we want him here by the end of the month working with us," Smith told the league's official Web site.
Colorado is fourth in the West, two points back of third-place Seattle.
The Rapids went 2-0-1 against Dallas last season after going winless in the prior 11 meetings. They took the only matchup at Dick's Sporting Goods Park last year, 2-1 on June 1.
Dallas, seventh in the conference, is looking to win consecutive games for the first time since September.
Kenny Cooper scored on a penalty kick seven minutes after Eric Avila netted his first career goal in the 80th minute, rallying FCD to a 2-1 win over Columbus on Saturday.
"Hopefully we're back on track, it's a big win against the defending (MLS Cup) champion Crew," Cooper said.
Cooper, named to the U.S. roster for the Gold Cup, is tied with Seattle's Fredy Montero for third in MLS with seven goals after scoring a career-high 18 last year. The forward has three goals in the last four games after coming up empty in the previous five.
Cooper has three goals in eight games against Colorado.
The MLS player of the week will try to help the Rapids remain unbeaten for an eighth consecutive game Wednesday night when they host FC Dallas.
The Rapids (5-2-5) have gone 3-0-4 in their last seven games, an undefeated run that they haven't achieved since Aug. 16-Oct. 2, 2003. Colorado also went seven matches without a loss from April 10-May 27, 1999, when they had a seven-game winning streak at a time when MLS used shootouts to break ties.
Colorado kept its run intact Saturday, when Cummings had two goals and assisted on Colin Clark's score in a 3-0 win over Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United.
"I thought we were disappointing with the ball, there were a lot of occasions where we squandered possessions easily, but the difference was Omar," Rapids coach Gary Smith said.
Cummings is second on the team with five goals and his career-high six assists are second-most in the league, one less than the total of Houston's Brian Davis.
Cummings has three goals and three assists in the last four games, picking up the scoring slack for a Rapids team that has been without forward Conor Casey for the past two contests. Casey is second in the league with eight goals.
Colorado was expected to have Casey available against Dallas (3-7-4). However, the United States' improbable qualification for the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa will rule him out until the Rapids host Chicago on July 4.
Cummings will also be leaving the club, as he's been recalled to the Jamaica national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup from July 3-26. He's expected to join the squad after Sunday's match at Seattle.
Smith appears to already be in communication with another forward who can provide Colorado with more depth up front.
"He will come from outside the MLS, definitely, and we want him here by the end of the month working with us," Smith told the league's official Web site.
Colorado is fourth in the West, two points back of third-place Seattle.
The Rapids went 2-0-1 against Dallas last season after going winless in the prior 11 meetings. They took the only matchup at Dick's Sporting Goods Park last year, 2-1 on June 1.
Dallas, seventh in the conference, is looking to win consecutive games for the first time since September.
Kenny Cooper scored on a penalty kick seven minutes after Eric Avila netted his first career goal in the 80th minute, rallying FCD to a 2-1 win over Columbus on Saturday.
"Hopefully we're back on track, it's a big win against the defending (MLS Cup) champion Crew," Cooper said.
Cooper, named to the U.S. roster for the Gold Cup, is tied with Seattle's Fredy Montero for third in MLS with seven goals after scoring a career-high 18 last year. The forward has three goals in the last four games after coming up empty in the previous five.
Cooper has three goals in eight games against Colorado.
Howard in net helps U.S. to historic win
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - Goalkeeper Tim Howard's standout performance helped to beat European champion Spain 2-0 on Wednesday in one of America's greatest football victories.
"It certainly can be argued that if it's not the top, it's up there," Howard said after the stunning win put the Americans into Sunday's Confederations Cup final.
"We're scratching our heads the same way you guys are, but it goes to show what hard work and commitment to each other can bring. Sometimes football is a funny thing."
Spain peppered the American goal with 29 shots and when Howard wasn't stopping eight of them, many were being blocked by his lunging defenders, who kept Spain off the scoresheet for the first time since last summer's European Championship.
"Anytime you come out with a shock win you have to take your chances in front of goal and we did. We had some guys who were defending like bandits and you need your goalkeeper to come up with some saves," the Everton keeper said. "You get lucky on certain occasions but we rode our luck today. Unbelievable."
The surprising run by the U.S. continued after enduring a 3-1 loss to Italy and 3-0 to Brazil to open the World Cup warmup event. It got through to the semifinal against FIFA's top-ranked team on goal difference after a 3-0 win over African champion Egypt.
"Three games ago I think it would have been impossible to think about a night like tonight," Howard said. "We've had our fair of critics but we stood up and took it on the chin and kept going.
"I could probably give you a 1,000 reasons but I don't think any of them would have done tonight justice."
U.S. coach Bob Bradley clogged Spain's flowing attack by shoring up the midfield and forced the Spanish to take their one-touch attack to the wings instead.
"We had to pick our poison at times because they can do whatever they want with the ball," Howard said. "We said you're not going to go through us, you're going to have to go around us."
Spain striker Fernando Torres said the U.S. played fantastic in front of Howard.
"Maybe it wasn't our best performance but you can't take away from what the U.S. did. They attacked and defended well and scored the goals they needed," Torres said. "I don't know if they deserved to win but they won and in the end that's what matters."
Although Howard wasn't overly keen on a rematch with Brazil in the final, he wasn't worried about a letdown on Sunday. Brazil plays South Africa in the other semifinal on Thursday.
"We're the first U.S. team to get to a major final so it's impossible to have a letdown," Howard said. "The spirit and fight will 100 percent be there."
Howard doubted whether the win would change anyone's perspective of American football.
"You hope things like this will help turn the corner but I'm not optimistic. (But) nights like this don't often happen," Howard said. "But the reality that the American football fan has to get used to is that not many teams beat Spain and beat Brazil. That's why they're (the best) in the world. That's why it's not doom and gloom when you lose."
"It certainly can be argued that if it's not the top, it's up there," Howard said after the stunning win put the Americans into Sunday's Confederations Cup final.
"We're scratching our heads the same way you guys are, but it goes to show what hard work and commitment to each other can bring. Sometimes football is a funny thing."
Spain peppered the American goal with 29 shots and when Howard wasn't stopping eight of them, many were being blocked by his lunging defenders, who kept Spain off the scoresheet for the first time since last summer's European Championship.
"Anytime you come out with a shock win you have to take your chances in front of goal and we did. We had some guys who were defending like bandits and you need your goalkeeper to come up with some saves," the Everton keeper said. "You get lucky on certain occasions but we rode our luck today. Unbelievable."
The surprising run by the U.S. continued after enduring a 3-1 loss to Italy and 3-0 to Brazil to open the World Cup warmup event. It got through to the semifinal against FIFA's top-ranked team on goal difference after a 3-0 win over African champion Egypt.
"Three games ago I think it would have been impossible to think about a night like tonight," Howard said. "We've had our fair of critics but we stood up and took it on the chin and kept going.
"I could probably give you a 1,000 reasons but I don't think any of them would have done tonight justice."
U.S. coach Bob Bradley clogged Spain's flowing attack by shoring up the midfield and forced the Spanish to take their one-touch attack to the wings instead.
"We had to pick our poison at times because they can do whatever they want with the ball," Howard said. "We said you're not going to go through us, you're going to have to go around us."
Spain striker Fernando Torres said the U.S. played fantastic in front of Howard.
"Maybe it wasn't our best performance but you can't take away from what the U.S. did. They attacked and defended well and scored the goals they needed," Torres said. "I don't know if they deserved to win but they won and in the end that's what matters."
Although Howard wasn't overly keen on a rematch with Brazil in the final, he wasn't worried about a letdown on Sunday. Brazil plays South Africa in the other semifinal on Thursday.
"We're the first U.S. team to get to a major final so it's impossible to have a letdown," Howard said. "The spirit and fight will 100 percent be there."
Howard doubted whether the win would change anyone's perspective of American football.
"You hope things like this will help turn the corner but I'm not optimistic. (But) nights like this don't often happen," Howard said. "But the reality that the American football fan has to get used to is that not many teams beat Spain and beat Brazil. That's why they're (the best) in the world. That's why it's not doom and gloom when you lose."
U.S. upsets Spain to reach Confederations Cup final
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - The United States ended Spain's record winning streak with a 2-0 upset victory Wednesday that gave it an unlikely but deserved place in the Confederations Cup final.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard make several quality saves to stop Spain's record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men's final at any level.
Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net.
Spain was caught on the break when Landon Donovan crossed into the goalmouth where two defenders misplayed the ball before Dempsey slotted it home in the 74th.
"We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final."
The Americans, who will face either Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, survived despite playing the final minutes without Michael Bradley, who was sent off in the 87th for a lunging tackle.
Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006.
"To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," United States coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took."
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque had warned his players not to be complacent, yet his team defense was tottering for much of the game.
"Losing is never good," Del Bosque said. "We're not used to losing."
The Americans knew all about it after losses to Brazil and Italy in their first two games. The team only squeezed into the semifinals because it scored more goals than a sagging Italy.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."
Against Spain's finest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Premier League, the United States had heart, grit and a big dose of luck. The Americans were outshot 29-9, but they still had enough for their biggest result since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Altidore's goal was the first time in the tournament that Spain conceded a goal. It was also the first time in 451 minutes the European champions conceded a goal since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Spain had a real struggle on its hands.
Against the 14th-ranked Americans, Spain came into the game showing little to nothing of the Red Fury that gave it the team its nickname. All the fire and determination came from a U.S. team that was never intimidated by Spain's record winning streak.
Donovan demonstrated the eagerness with two fouls in the opening five minutes, earning him a quick yellow card.
Adding flair beyond stamina, Charlie Davies executed a near perfect bicycle kick in the seventh minute which only just went wide.
Often though, Spain's famed midfield did show its own brilliance. But unlike so often, something always went wrong at the last station, either because of an imprecise pass, a crushing tackle or a block from Oguchi Onyewu or his fellow defenders.
"We lacked a little of our usual touch," Del Bosque said. "We played a very difficult rival who took us head on."
Both David Villa and Fernando Torres, the tournament's top scorers, came close to adding a fourth goal to their tally in the first half. But when the United States defense finally failed, as it did it in the 44th minute on another fluent move, Howard could be counted on to make a tough stop on a shot from Torres.
The United States goalkeeper pulled off a great one-handed save from an angled shot from Villa in the 48th minute to keep his team ahead.
The attacks, though, just kept coming and it seemed a matter of time before the underdogs would finally crumble. The Americans never did.
In the 54th, Spain wanted a penalty when Xavi Hernandez was run into the ground by Donovan as he was chasing a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Howard then deflected a fierce shot from Sergio Ramos onto the post and out in the 65th minute, and the Americans kept blocking everything which came its way.
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Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey (Jonathan Bornstein, 88), Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Benny Feilhaber, 69), Jozy Altidore (Conor Casey, 83).
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera (Juanma Mata, 78), Cesc Fabregas (Santi Cazorla, 68), Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Fernando Torres.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard make several quality saves to stop Spain's record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men's final at any level.
Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net.
Spain was caught on the break when Landon Donovan crossed into the goalmouth where two defenders misplayed the ball before Dempsey slotted it home in the 74th.
"We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final."
The Americans, who will face either Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, survived despite playing the final minutes without Michael Bradley, who was sent off in the 87th for a lunging tackle.
Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006.
"To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," United States coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took."
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque had warned his players not to be complacent, yet his team defense was tottering for much of the game.
"Losing is never good," Del Bosque said. "We're not used to losing."
The Americans knew all about it after losses to Brazil and Italy in their first two games. The team only squeezed into the semifinals because it scored more goals than a sagging Italy.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."
Against Spain's finest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Premier League, the United States had heart, grit and a big dose of luck. The Americans were outshot 29-9, but they still had enough for their biggest result since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Altidore's goal was the first time in the tournament that Spain conceded a goal. It was also the first time in 451 minutes the European champions conceded a goal since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Spain had a real struggle on its hands.
Against the 14th-ranked Americans, Spain came into the game showing little to nothing of the Red Fury that gave it the team its nickname. All the fire and determination came from a U.S. team that was never intimidated by Spain's record winning streak.
Donovan demonstrated the eagerness with two fouls in the opening five minutes, earning him a quick yellow card.
Adding flair beyond stamina, Charlie Davies executed a near perfect bicycle kick in the seventh minute which only just went wide.
Often though, Spain's famed midfield did show its own brilliance. But unlike so often, something always went wrong at the last station, either because of an imprecise pass, a crushing tackle or a block from Oguchi Onyewu or his fellow defenders.
"We lacked a little of our usual touch," Del Bosque said. "We played a very difficult rival who took us head on."
Both David Villa and Fernando Torres, the tournament's top scorers, came close to adding a fourth goal to their tally in the first half. But when the United States defense finally failed, as it did it in the 44th minute on another fluent move, Howard could be counted on to make a tough stop on a shot from Torres.
The United States goalkeeper pulled off a great one-handed save from an angled shot from Villa in the 48th minute to keep his team ahead.
The attacks, though, just kept coming and it seemed a matter of time before the underdogs would finally crumble. The Americans never did.
In the 54th, Spain wanted a penalty when Xavi Hernandez was run into the ground by Donovan as he was chasing a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Howard then deflected a fierce shot from Sergio Ramos onto the post and out in the 65th minute, and the Americans kept blocking everything which came its way.
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Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey (Jonathan Bornstein, 88), Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Benny Feilhaber, 69), Jozy Altidore (Conor Casey, 83).
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera (Juanma Mata, 78), Cesc Fabregas (Santi Cazorla, 68), Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Fernando Torres.
United's Tevez considering three offers
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Carlos Tevez, who has rejected an offer to stay with Manchester United, is considering offers from three clubs - Manchester City, Chelsea and one his adviser declined to name.
"Right now we are evaluating the proposals from City, Chelsea and one other team," his adviser Kia Joorabchian said in an interview on Radio Del Plata on Wednesday.
Joorabchian said a decision would be made in the next 10 days, after he sits down with Tevez and his agent, Adrian Ruocco.
Last Saturday, Tevez turned down a $41 million, five-year offer from United that would have made his two-year loan deal permanent.
He has already ruled out a move to Liverpool, because of its rivalry with United.
Joorabchian gave no indication of which way the Argentina striker was leaning.
"Right now we are evaluating the proposals from City, Chelsea and one other team," his adviser Kia Joorabchian said in an interview on Radio Del Plata on Wednesday.
Joorabchian said a decision would be made in the next 10 days, after he sits down with Tevez and his agent, Adrian Ruocco.
Last Saturday, Tevez turned down a $41 million, five-year offer from United that would have made his two-year loan deal permanent.
He has already ruled out a move to Liverpool, because of its rivalry with United.
Joorabchian gave no indication of which way the Argentina striker was leaning.
South Africa coach faces team he knows well
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa coach Joel Santana hopes his knowledge of Brazil's national football team will come in handy when Bafana Bafana faces the five-time world champions Thursday in the Confederations Cup semifinals.
The Brazilian is more than familiar with South Africa's opponent, and said he is thrilled with the chance to face his countrymen in such a high-profile match.
"This moment is historic for me," Santana said. "I know some of the players of the Brazilian national team, but there is no doubt that the feeling is to go out there and try to earn a positive result for my team."
He said that beating Brazil would feel like winning a championship.
"It's an extremely important match. It would be like winning a title," Santana said. "Advancing to the second stage was one title, and beating Brazil would be the second title. The final would be the third title."
He tried to make it clear that he will remain "extremely professional" and that his close connection with the Brazilians will not interfere in his work on Thursday.
"South Africa is a country that is giving me an opportunity, for the first time in 30 years, to be coaching a team at the Confederations Cup and eventually in the World Cup. I'm very thankful."
Just a year ago, Santana was in Brazil near some of the players who will be on the opposite side on Thursday. He was coaching Flamengo before accepting the offer to replace Carlos Alberto Parreira at the helm of South Africa.
Santana coached Brazil manager Dunga and assistant coach Jorginho when they were players. He coached Dunga at Vasco da Gama in 1987, and Jorginho in 2000 and 2001, also at Vasco.
"They won titles with me in the past," Santana said. "So they know what they can expect."
Santana, on the other hand, doesn't foresee any surprises coming from the Brazilians.
"I know them. Everybody knows them," said Santana, who has also coached Fluminense, Internacional, Corinthians and Botafogo. "They've been together for three years now."
The coach met with Brazilian players just before Brazil's practice at Ellis Park on Wednesday, spending time with Robinho, Gomes, Julio Baptista and Julio Cesar.
"He's a great coach, we all know that," Robinho said. "It's going to be great to face him."
Santana has been criticized in South Africa for fielding three defensive midfielders in his lineup, but he had an answer Thursday.
"So you're not satisfied that we made the semifinals? That we scored and we got four points?" Santana said. "Football is related to productivity. We are going to play which players we think should be there. This is how football is played.
"Our football players have managed to qualify for the semifinals and if you're not satisfied with that I don't know what you'd be satisfied with."
Since Santana arrived to coach South Africa about a year ago, he has often faced critics for his defensive tactics, but he hinted that he will send his players on the attack against Brazil.
"We are not going to stay in our own area waiting to see what will happen," Santana said. "It's not worth shooting the ball from our area into the Brazil area. What are we going to say to our supporters if we defend for 90 minutes?"
The Brazilian is more than familiar with South Africa's opponent, and said he is thrilled with the chance to face his countrymen in such a high-profile match.
"This moment is historic for me," Santana said. "I know some of the players of the Brazilian national team, but there is no doubt that the feeling is to go out there and try to earn a positive result for my team."
He said that beating Brazil would feel like winning a championship.
"It's an extremely important match. It would be like winning a title," Santana said. "Advancing to the second stage was one title, and beating Brazil would be the second title. The final would be the third title."
He tried to make it clear that he will remain "extremely professional" and that his close connection with the Brazilians will not interfere in his work on Thursday.
"South Africa is a country that is giving me an opportunity, for the first time in 30 years, to be coaching a team at the Confederations Cup and eventually in the World Cup. I'm very thankful."
Just a year ago, Santana was in Brazil near some of the players who will be on the opposite side on Thursday. He was coaching Flamengo before accepting the offer to replace Carlos Alberto Parreira at the helm of South Africa.
Santana coached Brazil manager Dunga and assistant coach Jorginho when they were players. He coached Dunga at Vasco da Gama in 1987, and Jorginho in 2000 and 2001, also at Vasco.
"They won titles with me in the past," Santana said. "So they know what they can expect."
Santana, on the other hand, doesn't foresee any surprises coming from the Brazilians.
"I know them. Everybody knows them," said Santana, who has also coached Fluminense, Internacional, Corinthians and Botafogo. "They've been together for three years now."
The coach met with Brazilian players just before Brazil's practice at Ellis Park on Wednesday, spending time with Robinho, Gomes, Julio Baptista and Julio Cesar.
"He's a great coach, we all know that," Robinho said. "It's going to be great to face him."
Santana has been criticized in South Africa for fielding three defensive midfielders in his lineup, but he had an answer Thursday.
"So you're not satisfied that we made the semifinals? That we scored and we got four points?" Santana said. "Football is related to productivity. We are going to play which players we think should be there. This is how football is played.
"Our football players have managed to qualify for the semifinals and if you're not satisfied with that I don't know what you'd be satisfied with."
Since Santana arrived to coach South Africa about a year ago, he has often faced critics for his defensive tactics, but he hinted that he will send his players on the attack against Brazil.
"We are not going to stay in our own area waiting to see what will happen," Santana said. "It's not worth shooting the ball from our area into the Brazil area. What are we going to say to our supporters if we defend for 90 minutes?"
Santana may drop defensive tactics for semifinals
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa coach Joel Santana may be about to shed his defensive tactics for Thursday's Confederations Cup semifinal match against his native Brazil.
Santana has been criticized for regularly fielding three defensive midfielders in his team, but the Brazilian conceded Wednesday that such an approach may not reap much reward against a potent attack that has scored 10 times in three matches.
And Santana knows that is not what the raucous crowd at Ellis Park wants to see.
"How can I say to the South African public, the supporters of the Confederations Cup and the future World Cup, that before our supporters we are going to play defensively?" Santana said. "I might lose, but I'm going to lose playing forward football.
"Do you think we can defend for 90 minutes against Brazil? We can't do that. They're going to try to expose our weaknesses. We might lose, but we are going to play forward in a more attacking style."
But what Santana might do to change his lineup is unclear, especially with key striker Bernard Parker struggling with a knee injury.
Parker made his first mark on the tournament when he stopped his own teammate from scoring a winning goal against Iraq by blocking a shot on the line, but the striker then scored both goals against New Zealand and has hit a tournament-high 10 shots on target.
Spain striker David Villa is way back in second place with seven on-target efforts, albeit with three goals.
Brazil, though, has the statistic that counts.
The South American champions have scored more goals than anyone else, two more than European champion Spain, and coach Dunga is skeptical of Santana's claim that his team may open up and attack.
"Each team has its characteristic, its way of working," Dunga said. "A lot of times things are said here, but we have to see what happens in the match, see how they will really play."
With Luis Fabiano, Robinho and Kaka exchanging positions fluidly in attack, South Africa defender Matthew Booth and his colleagues could be in for a torrid time.
Even so, Brazil will be without Juan after the key defender was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a left thigh injury and Dunga said he make more changes to the team that embarrassed Italy 3-0.
His players were not taking anything for granted ahead of a match they are overwhelming favorites to win.
"It's always hard to play against the hosts," Dunga said. "Their team is growing in the competition. They played well against Spain. These knockout matches are always harder, but we are ready to face them."
But like any opponent going up against the record five-time World Cup winners, South Africa knows it is as good as beaten if it goes onto the field star-struck by former world player of the year Kaka and Robinho.
The likes of Booth cannot match the South Americans when it comes to skill, so Bafana Bafana is relying on the home support to rouse them.
"We don't want to get carried away putting these guys up on a pedestal," South Africa goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez said. "Yes, they're idols to millions and we respect them all as footballers, but we're going to go out there Thursday and compete on the pitch.
"It's 11 versus 11, obviously, and I'm sure Matthew is dying to get stuck into Robinho and give Kaka a piece of his mind."
Fernandez and Booth are among four players in the South African squad that beat Brazil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but an under-23 tournament is quite another thing compared to a full international like Thursday's at Ellis Park.
"Playing for a draw against them isn't going to do us any good," South Africa midfielder Teko Modise said. "They're going to allow us space and time to attack them and to play and we'll look to utilize that. We really want to play our hearts out and attack. We need to score as many goals as we can because we all know they're capable of scoring many.
"When we first came into the camp, we said we want to go to the semis and, now we're here, we also want to go to the final as well. It's possible. The Brazilians are not unbeatable."
Santana has been criticized for regularly fielding three defensive midfielders in his team, but the Brazilian conceded Wednesday that such an approach may not reap much reward against a potent attack that has scored 10 times in three matches.
And Santana knows that is not what the raucous crowd at Ellis Park wants to see.
"How can I say to the South African public, the supporters of the Confederations Cup and the future World Cup, that before our supporters we are going to play defensively?" Santana said. "I might lose, but I'm going to lose playing forward football.
"Do you think we can defend for 90 minutes against Brazil? We can't do that. They're going to try to expose our weaknesses. We might lose, but we are going to play forward in a more attacking style."
But what Santana might do to change his lineup is unclear, especially with key striker Bernard Parker struggling with a knee injury.
Parker made his first mark on the tournament when he stopped his own teammate from scoring a winning goal against Iraq by blocking a shot on the line, but the striker then scored both goals against New Zealand and has hit a tournament-high 10 shots on target.
Spain striker David Villa is way back in second place with seven on-target efforts, albeit with three goals.
Brazil, though, has the statistic that counts.
The South American champions have scored more goals than anyone else, two more than European champion Spain, and coach Dunga is skeptical of Santana's claim that his team may open up and attack.
"Each team has its characteristic, its way of working," Dunga said. "A lot of times things are said here, but we have to see what happens in the match, see how they will really play."
With Luis Fabiano, Robinho and Kaka exchanging positions fluidly in attack, South Africa defender Matthew Booth and his colleagues could be in for a torrid time.
Even so, Brazil will be without Juan after the key defender was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a left thigh injury and Dunga said he make more changes to the team that embarrassed Italy 3-0.
His players were not taking anything for granted ahead of a match they are overwhelming favorites to win.
"It's always hard to play against the hosts," Dunga said. "Their team is growing in the competition. They played well against Spain. These knockout matches are always harder, but we are ready to face them."
But like any opponent going up against the record five-time World Cup winners, South Africa knows it is as good as beaten if it goes onto the field star-struck by former world player of the year Kaka and Robinho.
The likes of Booth cannot match the South Americans when it comes to skill, so Bafana Bafana is relying on the home support to rouse them.
"We don't want to get carried away putting these guys up on a pedestal," South Africa goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez said. "Yes, they're idols to millions and we respect them all as footballers, but we're going to go out there Thursday and compete on the pitch.
"It's 11 versus 11, obviously, and I'm sure Matthew is dying to get stuck into Robinho and give Kaka a piece of his mind."
Fernandez and Booth are among four players in the South African squad that beat Brazil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but an under-23 tournament is quite another thing compared to a full international like Thursday's at Ellis Park.
"Playing for a draw against them isn't going to do us any good," South Africa midfielder Teko Modise said. "They're going to allow us space and time to attack them and to play and we'll look to utilize that. We really want to play our hearts out and attack. We need to score as many goals as we can because we all know they're capable of scoring many.
"When we first came into the camp, we said we want to go to the semis and, now we're here, we also want to go to the final as well. It's possible. The Brazilians are not unbeatable."
Old Spain returns in loss to U.S. at Confed Cup
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - For the first time in nearly three years, Spain's normally potent attack couldn't pick apart an opponent and ended up on the losing end.
The United States halted Spain's rewriting of football's records book on Wednesday with a 2-0 semifinal victory at the Confederations Cup that snapped the European champion's record winning streak at 15 games.
Jozy Altidore took advantage of Spain's lethargic defense for a first-half goal and goalkeeper Tim Howard made a number of outstanding saves in the second half before Clint Dempsey sealed the Americans' first appearance in a major final.
One year after an outstanding European Championship win that seemed to remove the perennial underachiever tag, Spain returned to earth with its first loss since November 2006, a span of 35 matches that only Brazil's 1993-96 team can match.
"This is an accident, a little step backward," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "We have to look forward with optimism."
In near freezing conditions at the Free State Stadium, Spain outshot the Americans 29-9 but couldn't break through the stifling defense.
"The difference between them and Spain is that they scored two goals and we couldn't score with 10-12 shots on goal," Spain striker Fernando Torres said. "When you shoot too many times on target and you see the ball is not getting in you feel frustrated. You can't always play good and tonight was a disappointing night, for sure."
The United States backline often lunged to block many chances, which had to come from the wings with the Americans clogging up the midfield, where Spain's attack comes from.
"We had to pick our poison at times because they can do whatever they want with the ball," Howard said. "We said, 'You're not going to go through us. You're going to have to go around us."'
While the American defense excelled, Spain conceded for the first time in five games after blunders by fullbacks Joan Capdevila and Sergio Ramos. Spain last conceded two goals in a 3-2 win over Greece on the way to last year's Euro 2008 victory.
"Everything," Capdevila said about what went wrong. "A streak is over, and we have to start from zero. This sobers us up."
With a potential final against Brazil beckoning, Spain may have overlooked an opponent it had never lost to in three matches, especially after its previous four wins had come against inferior opponents.
"I hate to classify it that way," Del Bosque said. "But certainly FIFA's ranking shows we're first and that's an objective number."
Although Spain will remain in the record books, a second major trophy could have put those who doubted Spain's credentials as one of the best at ease. It will now play either Brazil or South Africa for third place on Sunday.
"We hope it works to help us and that we learn from the errors," Torres said. "Now we'll go out looking to win the third place, which we'll play like a final."
The United States halted Spain's rewriting of football's records book on Wednesday with a 2-0 semifinal victory at the Confederations Cup that snapped the European champion's record winning streak at 15 games.
Jozy Altidore took advantage of Spain's lethargic defense for a first-half goal and goalkeeper Tim Howard made a number of outstanding saves in the second half before Clint Dempsey sealed the Americans' first appearance in a major final.
One year after an outstanding European Championship win that seemed to remove the perennial underachiever tag, Spain returned to earth with its first loss since November 2006, a span of 35 matches that only Brazil's 1993-96 team can match.
"This is an accident, a little step backward," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "We have to look forward with optimism."
In near freezing conditions at the Free State Stadium, Spain outshot the Americans 29-9 but couldn't break through the stifling defense.
"The difference between them and Spain is that they scored two goals and we couldn't score with 10-12 shots on goal," Spain striker Fernando Torres said. "When you shoot too many times on target and you see the ball is not getting in you feel frustrated. You can't always play good and tonight was a disappointing night, for sure."
The United States backline often lunged to block many chances, which had to come from the wings with the Americans clogging up the midfield, where Spain's attack comes from.
"We had to pick our poison at times because they can do whatever they want with the ball," Howard said. "We said, 'You're not going to go through us. You're going to have to go around us."'
While the American defense excelled, Spain conceded for the first time in five games after blunders by fullbacks Joan Capdevila and Sergio Ramos. Spain last conceded two goals in a 3-2 win over Greece on the way to last year's Euro 2008 victory.
"Everything," Capdevila said about what went wrong. "A streak is over, and we have to start from zero. This sobers us up."
With a potential final against Brazil beckoning, Spain may have overlooked an opponent it had never lost to in three matches, especially after its previous four wins had come against inferior opponents.
"I hate to classify it that way," Del Bosque said. "But certainly FIFA's ranking shows we're first and that's an objective number."
Although Spain will remain in the record books, a second major trophy could have put those who doubted Spain's credentials as one of the best at ease. It will now play either Brazil or South Africa for third place on Sunday.
"We hope it works to help us and that we learn from the errors," Torres said. "Now we'll go out looking to win the third place, which we'll play like a final."
U.S. triumph over Spain helps image of football
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The United States' amazing 2-0 victory over Spain at the Confederations Cup on Wednesday sent out a loud and clear message that no one, not even the world's top-ranked team, is guaranteed anything in this captivating sport, that no team is ever out of contention and that a 15-game winning streak doesn't put the ball in the net.
Look at this amazing sequence of results.
The United States loses 3-1 to Italy. Italy loses 1-0 to Egypt. The Americans beat the Egyptians 3-0 and then end Spain's 35-game unbeaten run and 15-match streak of victories to reach the Confederation Cup final.
Does this make any sense? Or is it simply more proof that football, the world's most popular sport, is still capable of throwing up the biggest surprises?
Now the Americans, seemingly on their way home after losing by two goals to Italy and by three to Brazil in their first group games, will march proudly to Sunday's final in Johannesburg against either host South Africa or five-time World Cup winner Brazil.
The Spaniards, who began with a 5-0 thumping of New Zealand before beating Iraq 1-0 and South Africa 2-0, are heading for the third-place playoff, the so-called loser's final, their unbeaten and winning streaks now torn to shreds.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," said American goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it." Howard defied the Spaniards with a series of saves in the second half.
"The only thing that was going to get us through this game was sticking together, working hard and we did that. We rode our luck at times, they were a great team, they pushed us all the way to the limit but we took our chances well."
U.S. coach Bob Bradley showed that, while his players respect their opponents, his team is no respecter of reputations.
He sent his team out to play the game at a fast pace and, by crowding out their opponents in defense and midfield, did not allow the talented Spaniards room to create their interpassing moves.
They made even Fernando Torres, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas look ordinary simply by giving them no space or time to work their magic. Although the Americans left huge spaces down the wings, the stars of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool couldn't find a way through the crowded center of the field.
Yet the men in all white created enough chances in the first eight minutes in Bloemfontein to suggest they were the ones with the long unbeaten record. Charlie Davies went close twice, Clint Dempsey shaved Spain's post and Spanish captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas gestured to his teammates to calm down.
Suddenly this didn't look like the Spain that dominated and entertainingly won last year's European Championship and went on to stretch its unbeaten run into this tournament.
The strikes by Jozy Altidore and Dempsey were more than deserved because they reflected the commendable attitude of the underdog side not to cower beneath the superiority of a far more talented team.
This being a knockout game, the U.S. played this match on its own terms and the Spaniards took half the game to get into its stride.
After the break they used the width of the field to create chances but were repeatedly thwarted by well-timed challenges by Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu. When they were beaten, goalkeeper Howard punched away long range shots or dived to palm them away.
While Howard once played for Manchester United and is now with Everton in England's Premier League, DeMerit and Onyewu have been playing in Europe for a while, although not alongside the Spanish stars at Real Madrid or Barcelona.
But this is their moment.
While Spain's stars probably wish they could go home instead of hanging around for the "losers' final" on Sunday against South Africa or Brazil, the Americans have a title to go for.
Look at this amazing sequence of results.
The United States loses 3-1 to Italy. Italy loses 1-0 to Egypt. The Americans beat the Egyptians 3-0 and then end Spain's 35-game unbeaten run and 15-match streak of victories to reach the Confederation Cup final.
Does this make any sense? Or is it simply more proof that football, the world's most popular sport, is still capable of throwing up the biggest surprises?
Now the Americans, seemingly on their way home after losing by two goals to Italy and by three to Brazil in their first group games, will march proudly to Sunday's final in Johannesburg against either host South Africa or five-time World Cup winner Brazil.
The Spaniards, who began with a 5-0 thumping of New Zealand before beating Iraq 1-0 and South Africa 2-0, are heading for the third-place playoff, the so-called loser's final, their unbeaten and winning streaks now torn to shreds.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," said American goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it." Howard defied the Spaniards with a series of saves in the second half.
"The only thing that was going to get us through this game was sticking together, working hard and we did that. We rode our luck at times, they were a great team, they pushed us all the way to the limit but we took our chances well."
U.S. coach Bob Bradley showed that, while his players respect their opponents, his team is no respecter of reputations.
He sent his team out to play the game at a fast pace and, by crowding out their opponents in defense and midfield, did not allow the talented Spaniards room to create their interpassing moves.
They made even Fernando Torres, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas look ordinary simply by giving them no space or time to work their magic. Although the Americans left huge spaces down the wings, the stars of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool couldn't find a way through the crowded center of the field.
Yet the men in all white created enough chances in the first eight minutes in Bloemfontein to suggest they were the ones with the long unbeaten record. Charlie Davies went close twice, Clint Dempsey shaved Spain's post and Spanish captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas gestured to his teammates to calm down.
Suddenly this didn't look like the Spain that dominated and entertainingly won last year's European Championship and went on to stretch its unbeaten run into this tournament.
The strikes by Jozy Altidore and Dempsey were more than deserved because they reflected the commendable attitude of the underdog side not to cower beneath the superiority of a far more talented team.
This being a knockout game, the U.S. played this match on its own terms and the Spaniards took half the game to get into its stride.
After the break they used the width of the field to create chances but were repeatedly thwarted by well-timed challenges by Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu. When they were beaten, goalkeeper Howard punched away long range shots or dived to palm them away.
While Howard once played for Manchester United and is now with Everton in England's Premier League, DeMerit and Onyewu have been playing in Europe for a while, although not alongside the Spanish stars at Real Madrid or Barcelona.
But this is their moment.
While Spain's stars probably wish they could go home instead of hanging around for the "losers' final" on Sunday against South Africa or Brazil, the Americans have a title to go for.
U.S. upsets Spain to reach Confederations Cup final
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - The United States ended Spain's record winning streak with a 2-0 upset victory Wednesday that gave it an unlikely but deserved place in the Confederations Cup final.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard make several quality saves to stop Spain's record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men's final at any level.
Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net.
Spain was caught on the break when Landon Donovan crossed into the goalmouth where two defenders misplayed the ball before Dempsey slotted it home in the 74th.
"We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final."
The Americans, who will face either Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, survived despite playing the final minutes without Michael Bradley, who was sent off in the 87th for a lunging tackle.
Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006.
"To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," United States coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took."
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque had warned his players not to be complacent, yet his team defense was tottering for much of the game.
"Losing is never good," Del Bosque said. "We're not used to losing."
The Americans knew all about it after losses to Brazil and Italy in their first two games. The team only squeezed into the semifinals because it scored more goals than a sagging Italy.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."
Against Spain's finest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Premier League, the United States had heart, grit and a big dose of luck. The Americans were outshot 29-9, but they still had enough for their biggest result since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Altidore's goal was the first time in the tournament that Spain conceded a goal. It was also the first time in 451 minutes the European champions conceded a goal since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Spain had a real struggle on its hands.
Against the 14th-ranked Americans, Spain came into the game showing little to nothing of the Red Fury that gave it the team its nickname. All the fire and determination came from a U.S. team that was never intimidated by Spain's record winning streak.
Donovan demonstrated the eagerness with two fouls in the opening five minutes, earning him a quick yellow card.
Adding flair beyond stamina, Charlie Davies executed a near perfect bicycle kick in the seventh minute which only just went wide.
Often though, Spain's famed midfield did show its own brilliance. But unlike so often, something always went wrong at the last station, either because of an imprecise pass, a crushing tackle or a block from Oguchi Onyewu or his fellow defenders.
"We lacked a little of our usual touch," Del Bosque said. "We played a very difficult rival who took us head on."
Both David Villa and Fernando Torres, the tournament's top scorers, came close to adding a fourth goal to their tally in the first half. But when the United States defense finally failed, as it did it in the 44th minute on another fluent move, Howard could be counted on to make a tough stop on a shot from Torres.
The United States goalkeeper pulled off a great one-handed save from an angled shot from Villa in the 48th minute to keep his team ahead.
The attacks, though, just kept coming and it seemed a matter of time before the underdogs would finally crumble. The Americans never did.
In the 54th, Spain wanted a penalty when Xavi Hernandez was run into the ground by Donovan as he was chasing a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Howard then deflected a fierce shot from Sergio Ramos onto the post and out in the 65th minute, and the Americans kept blocking everything which came its way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey (Jonathan Bornstein, 88), Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Benny Feilhaber, 69), Jozy Altidore (Conor Casey, 83).
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera (Juanma Mata, 78), Cesc Fabregas (Santi Cazorla, 68), Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Fernando Torres.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard make several quality saves to stop Spain's record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men's final at any level.
Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net.
Spain was caught on the break when Landon Donovan crossed into the goalmouth where two defenders misplayed the ball before Dempsey slotted it home in the 74th.
"We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final."
The Americans, who will face either Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, survived despite playing the final minutes without Michael Bradley, who was sent off in the 87th for a lunging tackle.
Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006.
"To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," United States coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took."
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque had warned his players not to be complacent, yet his team defense was tottering for much of the game.
"Losing is never good," Del Bosque said. "We're not used to losing."
The Americans knew all about it after losses to Brazil and Italy in their first two games. The team only squeezed into the semifinals because it scored more goals than a sagging Italy.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."
Against Spain's finest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Premier League, the United States had heart, grit and a big dose of luck. The Americans were outshot 29-9, but they still had enough for their biggest result since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Altidore's goal was the first time in the tournament that Spain conceded a goal. It was also the first time in 451 minutes the European champions conceded a goal since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Spain had a real struggle on its hands.
Against the 14th-ranked Americans, Spain came into the game showing little to nothing of the Red Fury that gave it the team its nickname. All the fire and determination came from a U.S. team that was never intimidated by Spain's record winning streak.
Donovan demonstrated the eagerness with two fouls in the opening five minutes, earning him a quick yellow card.
Adding flair beyond stamina, Charlie Davies executed a near perfect bicycle kick in the seventh minute which only just went wide.
Often though, Spain's famed midfield did show its own brilliance. But unlike so often, something always went wrong at the last station, either because of an imprecise pass, a crushing tackle or a block from Oguchi Onyewu or his fellow defenders.
"We lacked a little of our usual touch," Del Bosque said. "We played a very difficult rival who took us head on."
Both David Villa and Fernando Torres, the tournament's top scorers, came close to adding a fourth goal to their tally in the first half. But when the United States defense finally failed, as it did it in the 44th minute on another fluent move, Howard could be counted on to make a tough stop on a shot from Torres.
The United States goalkeeper pulled off a great one-handed save from an angled shot from Villa in the 48th minute to keep his team ahead.
The attacks, though, just kept coming and it seemed a matter of time before the underdogs would finally crumble. The Americans never did.
In the 54th, Spain wanted a penalty when Xavi Hernandez was run into the ground by Donovan as he was chasing a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Howard then deflected a fierce shot from Sergio Ramos onto the post and out in the 65th minute, and the Americans kept blocking everything which came its way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey (Jonathan Bornstein, 88), Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Benny Feilhaber, 69), Jozy Altidore (Conor Casey, 83).
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera (Juanma Mata, 78), Cesc Fabregas (Santi Cazorla, 68), Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Fernando Torres.
U.S. upsets Spain to reach Confederations Cup final
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - The United States ended Spain's record winning streak with a 2-0 upset victory Wednesday that gave it an unlikely but deserved place in the Confederations Cup final.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard make several quality saves to stop Spain's record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men's final at any level.
Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net.
Spain was caught on the break when Landon Donovan crossed into the goalmouth where two defenders misplayed the ball before Dempsey slotted it home in the 74th.
"We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final."
The Americans, who will face either Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, survived despite playing the final minutes without Michael Bradley, who was sent off in the 87th for a lunging tackle.
Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006.
"To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," United States coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took."
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque had warned his players not to be complacent, yet his team defense was tottering for much of the game.
"Losing is never good," Del Bosque said. "We're not used to losing."
The Americans knew all about it after losses to Brazil and Italy in their first two games. The team only squeezed into the semifinals because it scored more goals than a sagging Italy.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."
Against Spain's finest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Premier League, the United States had heart, grit and a big dose of luck. The Americans were outshot 29-9, but they still had enough for their biggest result since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Altidore's goal was the first time in the tournament that Spain conceded a goal. It was also the first time in 451 minutes the European champions conceded a goal since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Spain had a real struggle on its hands.
Against the 14th-ranked Americans, Spain came into the game showing little to nothing of the Red Fury that gave it the team its nickname. All the fire and determination came from a U.S. team that was never intimidated by Spain's record winning streak.
Donovan demonstrated the eagerness with two fouls in the opening five minutes, earning him a quick yellow card.
Adding flair beyond stamina, Charlie Davies executed a near perfect bicycle kick in the seventh minute which only just went wide.
Often though, Spain's famed midfield did show its own brilliance. But unlike so often, something always went wrong at the last station, either because of an imprecise pass, a crushing tackle or a block from Oguchi Onyewu or his fellow defenders.
"We lacked a little of our usual touch," Del Bosque said. "We played a very difficult rival who took us head on."
Both David Villa and Fernando Torres, the tournament's top scorers, came close to adding a fourth goal to their tally in the first half. But when the United States defense finally failed, as it did it in the 44th minute on another fluent move, Howard could be counted on to make a tough stop on a shot from Torres.
The United States goalkeeper pulled off a great one-handed save from an angled shot from Villa in the 48th minute to keep his team ahead.
The attacks, though, just kept coming and it seemed a matter of time before the underdogs would finally crumble. The Americans never did.
In the 54th, Spain wanted a penalty when Xavi Hernandez was run into the ground by Donovan as he was chasing a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Howard then deflected a fierce shot from Sergio Ramos onto the post and out in the 65th minute, and the Americans kept blocking everything which came its way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey (Jonathan Bornstein, 88), Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Benny Feilhaber, 69), Jozy Altidore (Conor Casey, 83).
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera (Juanma Mata, 78), Cesc Fabregas (Santi Cazorla, 68), Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Fernando Torres.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard make several quality saves to stop Spain's record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men's final at any level.
Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net.
Spain was caught on the break when Landon Donovan crossed into the goalmouth where two defenders misplayed the ball before Dempsey slotted it home in the 74th.
"We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final."
The Americans, who will face either Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, survived despite playing the final minutes without Michael Bradley, who was sent off in the 87th for a lunging tackle.
Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006.
"To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," United States coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took."
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque had warned his players not to be complacent, yet his team defense was tottering for much of the game.
"Losing is never good," Del Bosque said. "We're not used to losing."
The Americans knew all about it after losses to Brazil and Italy in their first two games. The team only squeezed into the semifinals because it scored more goals than a sagging Italy.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."
Against Spain's finest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Premier League, the United States had heart, grit and a big dose of luck. The Americans were outshot 29-9, but they still had enough for their biggest result since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Altidore's goal was the first time in the tournament that Spain conceded a goal. It was also the first time in 451 minutes the European champions conceded a goal since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Spain had a real struggle on its hands.
Against the 14th-ranked Americans, Spain came into the game showing little to nothing of the Red Fury that gave it the team its nickname. All the fire and determination came from a U.S. team that was never intimidated by Spain's record winning streak.
Donovan demonstrated the eagerness with two fouls in the opening five minutes, earning him a quick yellow card.
Adding flair beyond stamina, Charlie Davies executed a near perfect bicycle kick in the seventh minute which only just went wide.
Often though, Spain's famed midfield did show its own brilliance. But unlike so often, something always went wrong at the last station, either because of an imprecise pass, a crushing tackle or a block from Oguchi Onyewu or his fellow defenders.
"We lacked a little of our usual touch," Del Bosque said. "We played a very difficult rival who took us head on."
Both David Villa and Fernando Torres, the tournament's top scorers, came close to adding a fourth goal to their tally in the first half. But when the United States defense finally failed, as it did it in the 44th minute on another fluent move, Howard could be counted on to make a tough stop on a shot from Torres.
The United States goalkeeper pulled off a great one-handed save from an angled shot from Villa in the 48th minute to keep his team ahead.
The attacks, though, just kept coming and it seemed a matter of time before the underdogs would finally crumble. The Americans never did.
In the 54th, Spain wanted a penalty when Xavi Hernandez was run into the ground by Donovan as he was chasing a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Howard then deflected a fierce shot from Sergio Ramos onto the post and out in the 65th minute, and the Americans kept blocking everything which came its way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey (Jonathan Bornstein, 88), Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Benny Feilhaber, 69), Jozy Altidore (Conor Casey, 83).
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera (Juanma Mata, 78), Cesc Fabregas (Santi Cazorla, 68), Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Fernando Torres.
Altidore gets his message across this time
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - A couple of days ago, Jozy Altidore warned his Villarreal teammate Joan Capdevila that Spain ought to be careful of the Americans, but the Spaniard had a hard time understanding the text message because of Altidore's poor Spanish. Perhaps Capdevila understands that message now.
It was fitting that the powerfully built Altidore out-muscled Capdevila to score in the 27th minute and set up the United States' stunning 2-0 upset of European champion Spain on Wednesday in the Confederations Cup semifinals.
Nine minutes after the goal, Altidore got the best of Capdevila again, forcing the Spaniard into a dangerous tackle from behind, drawing a yellow card and setting up a dangerous free kick that resulted in a header from Clint Dempsey sailing wide.
Dempsey found the target in the 74th minute to make it 2-0 and Altidore exited to loud applause when he was replaced by Conor Casey with six minutes remaining.
The victory prevented Spain from setting the record for the longest unbeaten run in world football at 36 games. The U.S. had never beaten Spain in three previous meetings.
The U.S. will face either five-time World Cup champion Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final in Johannesburg.
The 19-year-old Altidore moved to Villarreal on a US$10 million (€7.1 million) deal a year ago, then ended last season on loan with another Spanish club - Xerez - but didn't start a single match with the second-division side
Born in Livingston, New Jersey, to Haitian parents, U.S. Soccer is hoping Altidore develops into the consistent scorer the team has lacked for years.
So far he's on schedule.
Last year when he was still 18, Altidore became the youngest player to score for the United States when he hit a header in a 2-2 draw with Mexico. This year, he became the youngest U.S. player to notch a hat trick, scoring all three goals in a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in April.
Altidore leads the U.S. with five goals in World Cup qualifying and appears back on form after undergoing toe surgery.
It was fitting that the powerfully built Altidore out-muscled Capdevila to score in the 27th minute and set up the United States' stunning 2-0 upset of European champion Spain on Wednesday in the Confederations Cup semifinals.
Nine minutes after the goal, Altidore got the best of Capdevila again, forcing the Spaniard into a dangerous tackle from behind, drawing a yellow card and setting up a dangerous free kick that resulted in a header from Clint Dempsey sailing wide.
Dempsey found the target in the 74th minute to make it 2-0 and Altidore exited to loud applause when he was replaced by Conor Casey with six minutes remaining.
The victory prevented Spain from setting the record for the longest unbeaten run in world football at 36 games. The U.S. had never beaten Spain in three previous meetings.
The U.S. will face either five-time World Cup champion Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final in Johannesburg.
The 19-year-old Altidore moved to Villarreal on a US$10 million (€7.1 million) deal a year ago, then ended last season on loan with another Spanish club - Xerez - but didn't start a single match with the second-division side
Born in Livingston, New Jersey, to Haitian parents, U.S. Soccer is hoping Altidore develops into the consistent scorer the team has lacked for years.
So far he's on schedule.
Last year when he was still 18, Altidore became the youngest player to score for the United States when he hit a header in a 2-2 draw with Mexico. This year, he became the youngest U.S. player to notch a hat trick, scoring all three goals in a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in April.
Altidore leads the U.S. with five goals in World Cup qualifying and appears back on form after undergoing toe surgery.
U.S. upsets Spain to reach Confederations Cup final
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - The United States ended Spain's record winning streak with a 2-0 upset victory Wednesday that gave it an unlikely but deserved place in the Confederations Cup final.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard make several quality saves to stop Spain's record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men's final at any level.
Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net.
Spain was caught on the break when Landon Donovan crossed into the goalmouth where two defenders misplayed the ball before Dempsey slotted it home in the 74th.
"We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final."
The Americans, who will face either Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, survived despite playing the final minutes without Michael Bradley, who was sent off in the 87th for a lunging tackle.
Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006.
"To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," United States coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took."
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque had warned his players not to be complacent, yet his team defense was tottering for much of the game.
"Losing is never good," Del Bosque said. "We're not used to losing."
The Americans knew all about it after losses to Brazil and Italy in their first two games. The team only squeezed into the semifinals because it scored more goals than a sagging Italy.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."
Against Spain's finest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Premier League, the United States had heart, grit and a big dose of luck. The Americans were outshot 29-9, but they still had enough for their biggest result since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Altidore's goal was the first time in the tournament that Spain conceded a goal. It was also the first time in 451 minutes the European champions conceded a goal since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Spain had a real struggle on its hands.
Against the 14th-ranked Americans, Spain came into the game showing little to nothing of the Red Fury that gave it the team its nickname. All the fire and determination came from a U.S. team that was never intimidated by Spain's record winning streak.
Donovan demonstrated the eagerness with two fouls in the opening five minutes, earning him a quick yellow card.
Adding flair beyond stamina, Charlie Davies executed a near perfect bicycle kick in the seventh minute which only just went wide.
Often though, Spain's famed midfield did show its own brilliance. But unlike so often, something always went wrong at the last station, either because of an imprecise pass, a crushing tackle or a block from Oguchi Onyewu or his fellow defenders.
"We lacked a little of our usual touch," Del Bosque said. "We played a very difficult rival who took us head on."
Both David Villa and Fernando Torres, the tournament's top scorers, came close to adding a fourth goal to their tally in the first half. But when the United States defense finally failed, as it did it in the 44th minute on another fluent move, Howard could be counted on to make a tough stop on a shot from Torres.
The United States goalkeeper pulled off a great one-handed save from an angled shot from Villa in the 48th minute to keep his team ahead.
The attacks, though, just kept coming and it seemed a matter of time before the underdogs would finally crumble. The Americans never did.
In the 54th, Spain wanted a penalty when Xavi Hernandez was run into the ground by Donovan as he was chasing a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Howard then deflected a fierce shot from Sergio Ramos onto the post and out in the 65th minute, and the Americans kept blocking everything which came its way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey (Jonathan Bornstein, 88), Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Benny Feilhaber, 69), Jozy Altidore (Conor Casey, 83).
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera (Juanma Mata, 78), Cesc Fabregas (Santi Cazorla, 68), Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Fernando Torres.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey exposed a sluggish Spanish defense and Tim Howard make several quality saves to stop Spain's record run at 15 wins and put the Americans into their first FIFA men's final at any level.
Altidore took a deflected pass from Dempsey in the 27th minute, turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas with a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net.
Spain was caught on the break when Landon Donovan crossed into the goalmouth where two defenders misplayed the ball before Dempsey slotted it home in the 74th.
"We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final."
The Americans, who will face either Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, survived despite playing the final minutes without Michael Bradley, who was sent off in the 87th for a lunging tackle.
Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006.
"To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," United States coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took."
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque had warned his players not to be complacent, yet his team defense was tottering for much of the game.
"Losing is never good," Del Bosque said. "We're not used to losing."
The Americans knew all about it after losses to Brazil and Italy in their first two games. The team only squeezed into the semifinals because it scored more goals than a sagging Italy.
"I can't explain it any more than you can," Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it."
Against Spain's finest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Premier League, the United States had heart, grit and a big dose of luck. The Americans were outshot 29-9, but they still had enough for their biggest result since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
Altidore's goal was the first time in the tournament that Spain conceded a goal. It was also the first time in 451 minutes the European champions conceded a goal since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Spain had a real struggle on its hands.
Against the 14th-ranked Americans, Spain came into the game showing little to nothing of the Red Fury that gave it the team its nickname. All the fire and determination came from a U.S. team that was never intimidated by Spain's record winning streak.
Donovan demonstrated the eagerness with two fouls in the opening five minutes, earning him a quick yellow card.
Adding flair beyond stamina, Charlie Davies executed a near perfect bicycle kick in the seventh minute which only just went wide.
Often though, Spain's famed midfield did show its own brilliance. But unlike so often, something always went wrong at the last station, either because of an imprecise pass, a crushing tackle or a block from Oguchi Onyewu or his fellow defenders.
"We lacked a little of our usual touch," Del Bosque said. "We played a very difficult rival who took us head on."
Both David Villa and Fernando Torres, the tournament's top scorers, came close to adding a fourth goal to their tally in the first half. But when the United States defense finally failed, as it did it in the 44th minute on another fluent move, Howard could be counted on to make a tough stop on a shot from Torres.
The United States goalkeeper pulled off a great one-handed save from an angled shot from Villa in the 48th minute to keep his team ahead.
The attacks, though, just kept coming and it seemed a matter of time before the underdogs would finally crumble. The Americans never did.
In the 54th, Spain wanted a penalty when Xavi Hernandez was run into the ground by Donovan as he was chasing a pass from Cesc Fabregas. Howard then deflected a fierce shot from Sergio Ramos onto the post and out in the 65th minute, and the Americans kept blocking everything which came its way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey (Jonathan Bornstein, 88), Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies (Benny Feilhaber, 69), Jozy Altidore (Conor Casey, 83).
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera (Juanma Mata, 78), Cesc Fabregas (Santi Cazorla, 68), Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Fernando Torres.
Pato ready to duck Blues challenge
Alexandre Pato insists he will remain at AC Milan as long as the club want him, despite interest from Chelsea and former coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The Brazil international is a protege of Ancelotti, who brought him to Milan as a 17-year-old in 2007, and has been linked with a summer move to west London in the wake of the Italian coach's arrival at Stamford Bridge.
However, the 19-year-old, who is under contract at Milan until 2012, claims he will not be following Ancelotti to the Premier League club.
"Pato will be at Milan always," he told Studio Sport. "I am part of Milan and the club decides on my life.
"I am happy at Milan and I am here to work for Milan.
"The past year and a half for me has been very great, I want to help Milan win the Champions League."
The Brazil international is a protege of Ancelotti, who brought him to Milan as a 17-year-old in 2007, and has been linked with a summer move to west London in the wake of the Italian coach's arrival at Stamford Bridge.
However, the 19-year-old, who is under contract at Milan until 2012, claims he will not be following Ancelotti to the Premier League club.
"Pato will be at Milan always," he told Studio Sport. "I am part of Milan and the club decides on my life.
"I am happy at Milan and I am here to work for Milan.
"The past year and a half for me has been very great, I want to help Milan win the Champions League."
Bocanegra returns to U.S. lineup
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) - U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra returned to the starting lineup for Wednesday night's Confederations Cup semifinal against Spain.
Bocanegra had been sidelined since injuring a hamstring shortly after scoring in a World Cup qualifier against Honduras on June 6. With Bocanegra back in central defense, Jay DeMerit switched to left back and Jonathan Bornstein began on the bench.
Tim Howard was back in goal in place of backup Brad Guzan, who started Sunday's 3-0 victory over African champion Egypt. Those were the only changes to the lineup for the Americans, who opened the tournament with a 3-1 loss to world champion Italy and a 3-0 defeat against South American champion Brazil.
Spain made four switches from Saturday's 2-0 victory over host South Africa, putting in its top starters. No. 1 goalkeeper Iker Casillas took over from backup Pepe Reina, Joan Capdevila was at left back in place of Alvaro Arbeloa, Carles Puyol moved from right back to central defense in place of Raul Albiol and Sergio Ramos was at right back. Xabi Alonso returned to midfield in place of Sergio Busquets.
The referee was Jorge Larrionda of Uruguay, who ejected Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope of the United States, and Daniele De Rossi of Italy during a 1-1 first-round tie at the 2006 World Cup.
The United States 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.
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.
The winner advances to Sunday's final against the winner of Thursday's semifinal between defending champion Brazil and South Africa. The loser goes to Sunday's third-place match.
Bocanegra had been sidelined since injuring a hamstring shortly after scoring in a World Cup qualifier against Honduras on June 6. With Bocanegra back in central defense, Jay DeMerit switched to left back and Jonathan Bornstein began on the bench.
Tim Howard was back in goal in place of backup Brad Guzan, who started Sunday's 3-0 victory over African champion Egypt. Those were the only changes to the lineup for the Americans, who opened the tournament with a 3-1 loss to world champion Italy and a 3-0 defeat against South American champion Brazil.
Spain made four switches from Saturday's 2-0 victory over host South Africa, putting in its top starters. No. 1 goalkeeper Iker Casillas took over from backup Pepe Reina, Joan Capdevila was at left back in place of Alvaro Arbeloa, Carles Puyol moved from right back to central defense in place of Raul Albiol and Sergio Ramos was at right back. Xabi Alonso returned to midfield in place of Sergio Busquets.
The referee was Jorge Larrionda of Uruguay, who ejected Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope of the United States, and Daniele De Rossi of Italy during a 1-1 first-round tie at the 2006 World Cup.
The United States 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.
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.
The winner advances to Sunday's final against the winner of Thursday's semifinal between defending champion Brazil and South Africa. The loser goes to Sunday's third-place match.
Angry Walcott ready to prove point
Theo Walcott admits he is angry about getting dropped at the European Under-21 Championship - but he now wants to take it out on hosts Sweden.
After establishing himself in Fabio Capello's seniors, Walcott seemed guaranteed a starting place for Stuart Pearce's Under-21s but was taken off after 45 minutes of their tournament opener, then was on the bench for an hour of the victory against Spain.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was strongly opposed to his player travelling straight after a World Cup double-header, then the 20-year-old found himself in the cold despite pushing for his own inclusion.
"That was one of the messages I did get across," Walcott said. "I just wanted to be shown a little bit of support for being here.
"But it was the manager's decision and it worked out to be the right one because we won the game in the end."
As Walcott concedes, Pearce's decisions have come off. The first was to take Walcott off at the break after a poor first half against the Finns.
"Even my parents booed me off at half-time against Finland," Walcott joked.
Pearce then unleashed a furious Walcott on the highly-fancied Spanish and he set up James Milner's clincher that allowed England to rest players for the draw against Germany.
Next is Sweden in the last four on Friday evening in Gothenburg, with Walcott still upset and looking to make his mark again.
"Against Spain, I took it out on the pitch and let my feet do the talking," he said. "People probably saw me around and about and I wasn't too happy obviously because I came here to play.
"If you are not disappointed there is something wrong, you're just here for the social.
"You've got to be angry coming on the pitch. You don't want to be too angry and get sent off but hopefully I'll be at it on Friday."
It is hardly the attitude expected of player with a reputation of being too nice for his own good.
On the other hand, Walcott put himself in contention despite fears of burnout ahead of next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.
"I had four months out injured last season, so it hasn't really affected me," he added. "The boss will know when I'm tired and I'm not. On the pitch you don't think about it."
Walcott also missed the Under-21 tournament with a shoulder injury two years ago in Holland when England were knocked out on penalties after a marathon shoot-out.
He said: "I remember Stuart calling me and telling me to go and have the operation because there would be plenty more tournaments to come. I wouldn't say I owed them, I just wanted to be here."
It is a semi-final against the hosts again, this time Sweden, and Walcott views it as a chance to go one better and break through a psychological barrier.
"It's not just for the Under-21s, it's for the seniors and age groups below us," Walcott said. "It's a great way to show the Under-19s and Under-18s and those below or upwards what England can actually achieve.
"Hopefully this will put smiles on faces if we get far."
Imposing a winning mentality will come from Capello downwards, and the Italian's approach seems to be rubbing off.
"Everyone wants to win the competition, you don't want to be second," Walcott said. "You want to go back home and have holidays knowing we've won the competition.
"He (Capello) just wished me all the best and told me to bring it home. He's the person who doesn't want to lose. That shows with how we started the qualifying campaign. We've won every game and are there nearly."
This is expected to be Walcott's last Under-21s stint, although he could still feature in the next tournament.
"I still have to work hard to play well for Arsenal and if you are not playing well you're not going to be in Mr Capello's team - that's how I think," Walcott added.
"This sort of tournament is great for the young players to come through and show Mr Capello what we can do. For me, I'm not a full England player yet. I still have to work hard for Arsenal and try to be there when I can."
After establishing himself in Fabio Capello's seniors, Walcott seemed guaranteed a starting place for Stuart Pearce's Under-21s but was taken off after 45 minutes of their tournament opener, then was on the bench for an hour of the victory against Spain.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was strongly opposed to his player travelling straight after a World Cup double-header, then the 20-year-old found himself in the cold despite pushing for his own inclusion.
"That was one of the messages I did get across," Walcott said. "I just wanted to be shown a little bit of support for being here.
"But it was the manager's decision and it worked out to be the right one because we won the game in the end."
As Walcott concedes, Pearce's decisions have come off. The first was to take Walcott off at the break after a poor first half against the Finns.
"Even my parents booed me off at half-time against Finland," Walcott joked.
Pearce then unleashed a furious Walcott on the highly-fancied Spanish and he set up James Milner's clincher that allowed England to rest players for the draw against Germany.
Next is Sweden in the last four on Friday evening in Gothenburg, with Walcott still upset and looking to make his mark again.
"Against Spain, I took it out on the pitch and let my feet do the talking," he said. "People probably saw me around and about and I wasn't too happy obviously because I came here to play.
"If you are not disappointed there is something wrong, you're just here for the social.
"You've got to be angry coming on the pitch. You don't want to be too angry and get sent off but hopefully I'll be at it on Friday."
It is hardly the attitude expected of player with a reputation of being too nice for his own good.
On the other hand, Walcott put himself in contention despite fears of burnout ahead of next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.
"I had four months out injured last season, so it hasn't really affected me," he added. "The boss will know when I'm tired and I'm not. On the pitch you don't think about it."
Walcott also missed the Under-21 tournament with a shoulder injury two years ago in Holland when England were knocked out on penalties after a marathon shoot-out.
He said: "I remember Stuart calling me and telling me to go and have the operation because there would be plenty more tournaments to come. I wouldn't say I owed them, I just wanted to be here."
It is a semi-final against the hosts again, this time Sweden, and Walcott views it as a chance to go one better and break through a psychological barrier.
"It's not just for the Under-21s, it's for the seniors and age groups below us," Walcott said. "It's a great way to show the Under-19s and Under-18s and those below or upwards what England can actually achieve.
"Hopefully this will put smiles on faces if we get far."
Imposing a winning mentality will come from Capello downwards, and the Italian's approach seems to be rubbing off.
"Everyone wants to win the competition, you don't want to be second," Walcott said. "You want to go back home and have holidays knowing we've won the competition.
"He (Capello) just wished me all the best and told me to bring it home. He's the person who doesn't want to lose. That shows with how we started the qualifying campaign. We've won every game and are there nearly."
This is expected to be Walcott's last Under-21s stint, although he could still feature in the next tournament.
"I still have to work hard to play well for Arsenal and if you are not playing well you're not going to be in Mr Capello's team - that's how I think," Walcott added.
"This sort of tournament is great for the young players to come through and show Mr Capello what we can do. For me, I'm not a full England player yet. I still have to work hard for Arsenal and try to be there when I can."
Report: Real move for Valencia's Albiol
MADRID (AP) - Real Madrid has reportedly agreed a deal to sign Valencia defender Raul Albiol, the Spanish club's third signing this offseason.
Spanish media reported on Wednesday that Madrid agreed to pay Valencia €15 million ($21 million) for the 23-year-old Spain defender, who is currently playing at the Confederations Cup.
Albiol, who also played at Getafe, would be new president Florentino Perez's first Spanish signing after bringing Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Albiol was a member of Spain's European Championship winning team last summer and has made 15 international appearances.
The 1.87-meter center back played 126 league games in four full seasons at the Mestalla.
Spanish media reported on Wednesday that Madrid agreed to pay Valencia €15 million ($21 million) for the 23-year-old Spain defender, who is currently playing at the Confederations Cup.
Albiol, who also played at Getafe, would be new president Florentino Perez's first Spanish signing after bringing Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Albiol was a member of Spain's European Championship winning team last summer and has made 15 international appearances.
The 1.87-meter center back played 126 league games in four full seasons at the Mestalla.
Choccy: Ronaldo deal is good business
Manchester United academy director Brian McClair has backed the Red Devils' decision to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.
McClair has been around Old Trafford for long enough to know there is unlikely to be a catastrophic fall from grace as a result of Ronaldo's exit.
While some pundits believe Ronaldo's £80million departure, plus Carlos Tevez's decision to quit United after two productive seasons on a lease agreement with his adviser Kia Joorabchian, McClair is adopting a more pragmatic view.
"Manchester United have been here before," said McClair on his Championship Manager blog.
"Look back at the club's history.
"George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham have departed United in some shape or form and the club has continued to thrive and, in certain cases, gone on to bigger and better things.
"A club as big as United is going to have big players and players move on. That is a fact of football life.
"No one player is irreplaceable. Put it another way, nobody is bigger than the club. Selling Ronaldo to Real Madrid is good business."
While few supporters will lament the loss of Ronaldo's histrionics and many believe Wayne Rooney is more than capable of being the fulcrum of a new-look team, they will expect Sir Alex Ferguson to bring in some quality reinforcements with the world record fee Ronaldo commanded.
Antonio Valencia is due to let Wigan know at the end of this week whether he would prefer to join United or Real Madrid.
However, it already appears Franck Ribery's heart is set on the Bernabeu. Certainly the �40million-rated star would prefer to join the growing throng at Real than leave Bayern Munich for Barcelona, while noises coming out of Lyon continue to hint at Karim Benzema remaining in France for another season.
Reports in Spain have suggested Ferguson is ready to make a move for Sergio Aguero, who has forged such an impressive partnership with Diego Forlan at Atletico Madrid.
However, the success Forlan has enjoyed in La Liga compared to the lamentable time he endured at United, is a reminder of how tough South American strikers can find it in the Premier League, which must leave a sizeable question mark against the Argentina star.
McClair has been around Old Trafford for long enough to know there is unlikely to be a catastrophic fall from grace as a result of Ronaldo's exit.
While some pundits believe Ronaldo's £80million departure, plus Carlos Tevez's decision to quit United after two productive seasons on a lease agreement with his adviser Kia Joorabchian, McClair is adopting a more pragmatic view.
"Manchester United have been here before," said McClair on his Championship Manager blog.
"Look back at the club's history.
"George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham have departed United in some shape or form and the club has continued to thrive and, in certain cases, gone on to bigger and better things.
"A club as big as United is going to have big players and players move on. That is a fact of football life.
"No one player is irreplaceable. Put it another way, nobody is bigger than the club. Selling Ronaldo to Real Madrid is good business."
While few supporters will lament the loss of Ronaldo's histrionics and many believe Wayne Rooney is more than capable of being the fulcrum of a new-look team, they will expect Sir Alex Ferguson to bring in some quality reinforcements with the world record fee Ronaldo commanded.
Antonio Valencia is due to let Wigan know at the end of this week whether he would prefer to join United or Real Madrid.
However, it already appears Franck Ribery's heart is set on the Bernabeu. Certainly the �40million-rated star would prefer to join the growing throng at Real than leave Bayern Munich for Barcelona, while noises coming out of Lyon continue to hint at Karim Benzema remaining in France for another season.
Reports in Spain have suggested Ferguson is ready to make a move for Sergio Aguero, who has forged such an impressive partnership with Diego Forlan at Atletico Madrid.
However, the success Forlan has enjoyed in La Liga compared to the lamentable time he endured at United, is a reminder of how tough South American strikers can find it in the Premier League, which must leave a sizeable question mark against the Argentina star.
Barcelona defender signs Brum deal
Birmingham have completed the signing of Ecuadorian defender Giovanny Espinoza from Barcelona Sporting Club on a two-year deal.
The 32-year-old has set his sights on helping the Blues secure Premier League survival after becoming Alex McLeish's latest capture.
Espinoza has won more than 80 caps for his country and participated in two World Cups.
But he also has previous experience of playing in Europe with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem during the 2007-08 campaign.
In addition he had spells at Aucas and LDU Quito (Ecuador), Mexican side Monterrey and Brazilian club Cruzeiro.
The 6ft 2ins Espinoza is renowned for his strength and speed.
He told Birmingham's official website: "I'm very much looking to playing for this club. It's a new step in my football career and I hope I can help the team.
"I think I can bring experience to the defence as I've played a lot of games at club level and for the national team.
"My objective is the same as the team, to first of all help the club remain in the Premier League.
"On a personal level I hope to establish myself in the team, give 100% in every game and play as much as possible."
The 32-year-old has set his sights on helping the Blues secure Premier League survival after becoming Alex McLeish's latest capture.
Espinoza has won more than 80 caps for his country and participated in two World Cups.
But he also has previous experience of playing in Europe with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem during the 2007-08 campaign.
In addition he had spells at Aucas and LDU Quito (Ecuador), Mexican side Monterrey and Brazilian club Cruzeiro.
The 6ft 2ins Espinoza is renowned for his strength and speed.
He told Birmingham's official website: "I'm very much looking to playing for this club. It's a new step in my football career and I hope I can help the team.
"I think I can bring experience to the defence as I've played a lot of games at club level and for the national team.
"My objective is the same as the team, to first of all help the club remain in the Premier League.
"On a personal level I hope to establish myself in the team, give 100% in every game and play as much as possible."
Odense goalkeeper Onyszko guilty of assault
COPENHAGEN (AP) - Odense's Polish goalkeeper Arek Onyszko was sentenced to jail on Wednesday after pleading guilty to an assault on his former wife.
Onyszko, who said he had acted in a fit of jealousy, was given a three-month sentence of which two months were suspended.
He told Odense City Court he that punched his former wife Anna Onyszko after dragging her down by her hair.
"I am very sad about what happened," Onyszko told the court. "And I regret what happened."
It was unclear whether the 35-year-old keeper would remain with the Danish club. On its Web site, Odense said it was taking "the necessary time to take the right decision."
Onyszko joined Odense in 2004 from Danish club Viborg, having started his career in Polish football. He was a member of the Poland team that won the silver medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Odense finished second in the Danish league with 69 points behind FC Copenhagen, earning a place in next season's Europa League.
Onyszko, who said he had acted in a fit of jealousy, was given a three-month sentence of which two months were suspended.
He told Odense City Court he that punched his former wife Anna Onyszko after dragging her down by her hair.
"I am very sad about what happened," Onyszko told the court. "And I regret what happened."
It was unclear whether the 35-year-old keeper would remain with the Danish club. On its Web site, Odense said it was taking "the necessary time to take the right decision."
Onyszko joined Odense in 2004 from Danish club Viborg, having started his career in Polish football. He was a member of the Poland team that won the silver medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Odense finished second in the Danish league with 69 points behind FC Copenhagen, earning a place in next season's Europa League.
Mandela wishes Bafana well
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa's Confederations Cup squad got a lift Wednesday when Nelson Mandela met with the players to wish them luck for their semifinal against Brazil.
South Africa's first black president, who turns 91 next month, asked for the squad to visit him at the offices of his Johannesburg foundation and was greeted by the players' rendition of "Shosholoza," an old chain gang song popular at sports events.
"We wish you well," Ndaba Mandela said as he introduced the team to his grandfather. "We know it is not going to be an easy game. But we know you are going to be victorious."
Each player from the 23-man squad for Thursday's match at Ellis Park then went up to a smiling Mandela, who greeted them and shook their hands.
"From the players' point of view, it was one of those special moments," South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena said. "Meeting the old man was incredible. One thing about the old man is that he always had belief in us, not just in the current squad but in all the Bafana Bafana squads we have had.
"It meant a lot and his presence is unbelievable. The calmness he shows when he approaches people is unbelievable and it's something we have to take into the game tomorrow."
Mandela, who is affectionately known by his clan name of "Madiba," often takes the time to meet with local sports teams ahead of important matches and games.
He famously donned a South Africa rugby jersey when the nation hoisted the World Cup trophy in 1995.
The former president looked well as he walked into the room with his white cane and accompanied by an aide.
Coach Joel Santana, a Brazilian, made a deep bow in front of Mandela, who quipped to much laughter: "Your face is familiar."
Mokoena presented Mandela with a team shirt emblazoned with his name and No. 91, in honor of his July 18 birthday.
The team sang again as Mandela left the auditorium - this time a classic protest Sotho song that translates: "Nelson Mandela, there is no one like you."
"I must say this most sincerely," Santana said. "We got goosebumps when we met Mr. Mandela, a supremely charismatic person. His presence, simply his presence and the way he spoke to us, conveyed a feeling of calm to the team. I never in my life never thought I'd have the opportunity I had today.
"I thought I'd seen it all, but i hadn't."
But what were the words Mandela said to each of the players as he met them in turn?
"'Good luck and I believe in you', is all he said," Mokoena said.
South Africa's first black president, who turns 91 next month, asked for the squad to visit him at the offices of his Johannesburg foundation and was greeted by the players' rendition of "Shosholoza," an old chain gang song popular at sports events.
"We wish you well," Ndaba Mandela said as he introduced the team to his grandfather. "We know it is not going to be an easy game. But we know you are going to be victorious."
Each player from the 23-man squad for Thursday's match at Ellis Park then went up to a smiling Mandela, who greeted them and shook their hands.
"From the players' point of view, it was one of those special moments," South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena said. "Meeting the old man was incredible. One thing about the old man is that he always had belief in us, not just in the current squad but in all the Bafana Bafana squads we have had.
"It meant a lot and his presence is unbelievable. The calmness he shows when he approaches people is unbelievable and it's something we have to take into the game tomorrow."
Mandela, who is affectionately known by his clan name of "Madiba," often takes the time to meet with local sports teams ahead of important matches and games.
He famously donned a South Africa rugby jersey when the nation hoisted the World Cup trophy in 1995.
The former president looked well as he walked into the room with his white cane and accompanied by an aide.
Coach Joel Santana, a Brazilian, made a deep bow in front of Mandela, who quipped to much laughter: "Your face is familiar."
Mokoena presented Mandela with a team shirt emblazoned with his name and No. 91, in honor of his July 18 birthday.
The team sang again as Mandela left the auditorium - this time a classic protest Sotho song that translates: "Nelson Mandela, there is no one like you."
"I must say this most sincerely," Santana said. "We got goosebumps when we met Mr. Mandela, a supremely charismatic person. His presence, simply his presence and the way he spoke to us, conveyed a feeling of calm to the team. I never in my life never thought I'd have the opportunity I had today.
"I thought I'd seen it all, but i hadn't."
But what were the words Mandela said to each of the players as he met them in turn?
"'Good luck and I believe in you', is all he said," Mokoena said.
Caicedo chase gathering pace
West Ham, Wigan and Sporting Lisbon are understood to be among the clubs stepping up their interest in Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo.
A number of sides are monitoring Caicedo's situation at Eastlands with the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz and the possible signing of Carlos Tevez expected to push the Ecuador international further down the pecking order.
The Ecuador international impressed for Mark Hughes' side at the back end of last season after getting a run in the side, scoring nine goals in 14 starts.
His performances have not gone unnoticed with West Ham, Wigan and Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon all credited with an interest in him in recent weeks
Caicedo's agent Saif Rubie admits interest is growing in the player and that the 20-year-old will weigh up his options when he returns from holiday.
"There is a huge amount of interest in Felipe across the world," Rubie told skysports.com.
"There are offers on the table and we will look at all the scenarios when Felipe returns from holiday in Ecuador.
"At this point of his career Felipe wants to be playing regularly and he did very well when he was given the opportunity last season.
"Everyone knows Sporting Lisbon are ready to take Felipe as are other clubs in the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe and we will look at all options open to us before a decision.
"If a suitable offer arrives we will look at it, but if Manchester City want to keep him and offer Felipe a new deal he would consider that also.
"We will sit down and try and resolve Felipe's future very soon."
A number of sides are monitoring Caicedo's situation at Eastlands with the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz and the possible signing of Carlos Tevez expected to push the Ecuador international further down the pecking order.
The Ecuador international impressed for Mark Hughes' side at the back end of last season after getting a run in the side, scoring nine goals in 14 starts.
His performances have not gone unnoticed with West Ham, Wigan and Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon all credited with an interest in him in recent weeks
Caicedo's agent Saif Rubie admits interest is growing in the player and that the 20-year-old will weigh up his options when he returns from holiday.
"There is a huge amount of interest in Felipe across the world," Rubie told skysports.com.
"There are offers on the table and we will look at all the scenarios when Felipe returns from holiday in Ecuador.
"At this point of his career Felipe wants to be playing regularly and he did very well when he was given the opportunity last season.
"Everyone knows Sporting Lisbon are ready to take Felipe as are other clubs in the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe and we will look at all options open to us before a decision.
"If a suitable offer arrives we will look at it, but if Manchester City want to keep him and offer Felipe a new deal he would consider that also.
"We will sit down and try and resolve Felipe's future very soon."
Interest mounts in Swedish starlet
Rasmus Elm could be on his way out of Swedish champions Kalmar, with Fulham reported to be among the interested clubs across Europe.
German giants Bayern Munich have also been linked with the talented 21-year-old midfielder, who is currently away on international duty with Sweden at the European Under-21 Championship.
However, a number of scouts are known to have travelled to that tournament to check him out and he is expected to receive a number of offers in the coming weeks.
"Clubs are obviously keen to see how Rasmus is doing during the Championships," Kalmar club director Svante Samuelsson told Expressen.
The likes of Marseille, Paris St Germain, Sevilla and Valencia are also said to be keen on Elm, but the player's agent insists no deal will be discussed until Sweden's European Championship campaign comes to a close.
"Everything is on ice until the championship is over," said Patrick Mork.
"We will see what Rasmus wants to do after that."
German giants Bayern Munich have also been linked with the talented 21-year-old midfielder, who is currently away on international duty with Sweden at the European Under-21 Championship.
However, a number of scouts are known to have travelled to that tournament to check him out and he is expected to receive a number of offers in the coming weeks.
"Clubs are obviously keen to see how Rasmus is doing during the Championships," Kalmar club director Svante Samuelsson told Expressen.
The likes of Marseille, Paris St Germain, Sevilla and Valencia are also said to be keen on Elm, but the player's agent insists no deal will be discussed until Sweden's European Championship campaign comes to a close.
"Everything is on ice until the championship is over," said Patrick Mork.
"We will see what Rasmus wants to do after that."
Starlet Wilson commits to Blues
Birmingham's promising defender Jared Wilson has signed a new one-year contract with the Premier League club.
The 20-year-old full-back has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at St Andrew's until the summer of 2010.
Wilson, a product of City's Academy, made his debut for the club as a substitute against QPR in a Championship encounter in October.
He spent the second half of the campaign on loan at League Two outfit Chesterfield to gain regular first-team experience.
Wilson told Birmingham's official website: "My whole aim last year after I played the match (against QPR) was to go out and get some first-team experience so I went out to Chesterfield to get that.
"I think the contract is a bit of a reward for doing well in the youth team and whilst I have been away on loan. It shows the manager (Alex McLeish) thinks a lot of me which is good for me.
"When I come back for pre-season, I am going to give 100% in every training session. Maybe I might be in the squad this season with the use of seven substitutes, which would be great for me in the Premier League.
"But if I don't manage to make that step then I may go out on loan for maybe the majority of the season."
The 20-year-old full-back has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at St Andrew's until the summer of 2010.
Wilson, a product of City's Academy, made his debut for the club as a substitute against QPR in a Championship encounter in October.
He spent the second half of the campaign on loan at League Two outfit Chesterfield to gain regular first-team experience.
Wilson told Birmingham's official website: "My whole aim last year after I played the match (against QPR) was to go out and get some first-team experience so I went out to Chesterfield to get that.
"I think the contract is a bit of a reward for doing well in the youth team and whilst I have been away on loan. It shows the manager (Alex McLeish) thinks a lot of me which is good for me.
"When I come back for pre-season, I am going to give 100% in every training session. Maybe I might be in the squad this season with the use of seven substitutes, which would be great for me in the Premier League.
"But if I don't manage to make that step then I may go out on loan for maybe the majority of the season."
South African hopes hit by Parker's knee injury
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa's hopes of beating Brazil in Thursday's Confederations Cup semifinals have been hit by a knee injury to striker Bernard Parker.
Parker, who scored both of South Africa's goals at the tournament, pulled out of Wednesday's training session at Rand Stadium and will have tests Thursday to see if he can play against the record five-time World Cup winners.
"He had a slight problem and we were advised by the team doctor that he shouldn't go on with the training session," South Africa coach Joel Santana said. "It would be better for the player to rest today and we'll do some tests today.
"He is a new talent and we would like to have him in our team tomorrow."
The Red Star Belgrade forward made his first mark in the tournament opener when he stopped a teammate from scoring a winning goal against Iraq by unluckily blocking a shot on the line, but he followed that by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over New Zealand and has hit a tournament-high 10 shots on target.
With Brazil central defender Juan out of the rest of the tournament with a thigh problem, Parker is crucial to South Africa's hopes of springing a surprise on a team that has cruised so far with 10 goals scored and just three conceded.
Katlego Mashego could play in his place but the Orlando Pirates player struggled so far, straying offside a tournament-high six times in a total of 47 minutes as a substitute.
Little wonder that Santana wants Parker fit to play.
"I'm not the team doctor," Santana said. "So I've got to wait for the results."
Parker, who scored both of South Africa's goals at the tournament, pulled out of Wednesday's training session at Rand Stadium and will have tests Thursday to see if he can play against the record five-time World Cup winners.
"He had a slight problem and we were advised by the team doctor that he shouldn't go on with the training session," South Africa coach Joel Santana said. "It would be better for the player to rest today and we'll do some tests today.
"He is a new talent and we would like to have him in our team tomorrow."
The Red Star Belgrade forward made his first mark in the tournament opener when he stopped a teammate from scoring a winning goal against Iraq by unluckily blocking a shot on the line, but he followed that by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over New Zealand and has hit a tournament-high 10 shots on target.
With Brazil central defender Juan out of the rest of the tournament with a thigh problem, Parker is crucial to South Africa's hopes of springing a surprise on a team that has cruised so far with 10 goals scored and just three conceded.
Katlego Mashego could play in his place but the Orlando Pirates player struggled so far, straying offside a tournament-high six times in a total of 47 minutes as a substitute.
Little wonder that Santana wants Parker fit to play.
"I'm not the team doctor," Santana said. "So I've got to wait for the results."
Sheva deal 'impossible' - Monaco
Monaco coach Guy Lacombe insists it would be 'impossible' for the club to sign Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.
Ukraine international Shevchenko has been linked with a move to Monaco as he continues to face an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
He spent last season on loan at AC Milan after struggling to make an impact in the Premier League, but still has a year left on his contract.
Shevchenko is waiting to learn if he is part of new Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti's plans and admitted earlier this week that he would be interested in a move to Roma.
Reports have also claimed that Monaco have shown an interest, but Lacombe does not believe the French side have the financial clout to capture Shevchenko.
"It has never been topical," Lacombe told Aujourd'hui Sport. "Shevchenko is not a possibility for us.
"For a club like ours, it is impossible. ASM's means are really inferior compared to what they were.
"If Steve Savidan joins the club it will be enough for the forwards."
However, Marco Simone, who represents Shevchenko in France and Italy, was remaining coy on the rumours linking the 32-year-old with Monaco.
Simone said: "There is nothing to say today. There is a possibility that is true, but I won't say anything else."
Ukraine international Shevchenko has been linked with a move to Monaco as he continues to face an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
He spent last season on loan at AC Milan after struggling to make an impact in the Premier League, but still has a year left on his contract.
Shevchenko is waiting to learn if he is part of new Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti's plans and admitted earlier this week that he would be interested in a move to Roma.
Reports have also claimed that Monaco have shown an interest, but Lacombe does not believe the French side have the financial clout to capture Shevchenko.
"It has never been topical," Lacombe told Aujourd'hui Sport. "Shevchenko is not a possibility for us.
"For a club like ours, it is impossible. ASM's means are really inferior compared to what they were.
"If Steve Savidan joins the club it will be enough for the forwards."
However, Marco Simone, who represents Shevchenko in France and Italy, was remaining coy on the rumours linking the 32-year-old with Monaco.
Simone said: "There is nothing to say today. There is a possibility that is true, but I won't say anything else."
Brown riled over Riley remarks
Phil Brown has been fined £2,500 for improper conduct relating to remarks made about Mike Riley after Hull's FA Cup defeat at Arsenal in March.
Brown had denied the charge. But it was found proven at a Football Association regulatory commission hearing on Wednesday, and he was also warned about his future conduct.
The match was one of the most controversial of last season - afterwards Hull accused Cesc Fabregas of spitting at assistant manager Brian Horton, although the Arsenal captain was cleared by the FA after he too was charged with improper conduct.
The FA said in a statement: "At a regulatory commission hearing today, Hull City manager Phil Brown was fined £2,500.
"Brown denied a charge of improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments concerning the referee Mike Riley, made following Hull's FA Cup tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 17 March.
"At the hearing today, Brown was fined and warned as to his future conduct."
Brown had accused Riley of a "disgraceful" performance and of being influenced by the Arsenal fans.
He said after the match: "We've not been beaten by Arsenal; we've been beaten by the referee and the linesman. The game was turned on its head when the referee succumbed to local pressure.
"You had better ask Mike Riley how much that will cost us. I'm sure he wouldn't have the faintest idea."
Brown had denied the charge. But it was found proven at a Football Association regulatory commission hearing on Wednesday, and he was also warned about his future conduct.
The match was one of the most controversial of last season - afterwards Hull accused Cesc Fabregas of spitting at assistant manager Brian Horton, although the Arsenal captain was cleared by the FA after he too was charged with improper conduct.
The FA said in a statement: "At a regulatory commission hearing today, Hull City manager Phil Brown was fined £2,500.
"Brown denied a charge of improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments concerning the referee Mike Riley, made following Hull's FA Cup tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 17 March.
"At the hearing today, Brown was fined and warned as to his future conduct."
Brown had accused Riley of a "disgraceful" performance and of being influenced by the Arsenal fans.
He said after the match: "We've not been beaten by Arsenal; we've been beaten by the referee and the linesman. The game was turned on its head when the referee succumbed to local pressure.
"You had better ask Mike Riley how much that will cost us. I'm sure he wouldn't have the faintest idea."
AZ snap up De Graafschap keeper
Eredivisie champions AZ Alkmaar have snapped up goalkeeper Erik Heijblok from De Graafschap in a surprise move.
The 30-year-old former Ajax stopper has signed a two-year deal and will serve as a back-up at AZ, who needed to replace Jordy Deckers after sending him out on loan.
"I am extremely happy to have a contract with AZ for the next two seasons," Heijblok told the club's website. "I come from north Holland and immediately had a good feeling about AZ.
"It's not a normal transfer, but I've never had a normal transfer. This fits the pattern of my career."
AZ technical director Marcel Brands was pleased to get another experienced goalkeeper on board.
"Now that we are in the Champions League, we will need three senior goalkeepers," he said. "Along with Sergio Romero and Joey Didulica, we now have that with the signing of Erik Heijblok."
The 30-year-old former Ajax stopper has signed a two-year deal and will serve as a back-up at AZ, who needed to replace Jordy Deckers after sending him out on loan.
"I am extremely happy to have a contract with AZ for the next two seasons," Heijblok told the club's website. "I come from north Holland and immediately had a good feeling about AZ.
"It's not a normal transfer, but I've never had a normal transfer. This fits the pattern of my career."
AZ technical director Marcel Brands was pleased to get another experienced goalkeeper on board.
"Now that we are in the Champions League, we will need three senior goalkeepers," he said. "Along with Sergio Romero and Joey Didulica, we now have that with the signing of Erik Heijblok."
Ribery favors Real move - Agent
Franck Ribery's agent believes the Bayern Munich man would choose Real Madrid over Barcelona but insists nothing will be done until next month.
Ribery is one of Europe's hottest properties, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly set to do battle with the Spanish pair for his signature.
Bayern insist Ribery is not for sale, but Alan Migliaccio claims his client has not given up on a move to the Bernabeu this summer.
"Ribery would prefer to play for Real Madrid than Barcelona," he told RAC-1. "The player has talked with Zinedine Zidane and he wants to play for Los Blancos for him.
"But at this moment everything is blocked because the people at Bayern are on holiday until the end of this month.
"I can't say anything else until we meet them in the next few weeks."
Ribery is one of Europe's hottest properties, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly set to do battle with the Spanish pair for his signature.
Bayern insist Ribery is not for sale, but Alan Migliaccio claims his client has not given up on a move to the Bernabeu this summer.
"Ribery would prefer to play for Real Madrid than Barcelona," he told RAC-1. "The player has talked with Zinedine Zidane and he wants to play for Los Blancos for him.
"But at this moment everything is blocked because the people at Bayern are on holiday until the end of this month.
"I can't say anything else until we meet them in the next few weeks."
Gamba knocked out of ACL, Koreans progress
OSAKA, Japan (AP) - Reigning champion Gamba Osaka was knocked out of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday, while two South Korean clubs progressed to the quarterfinals.
Gamba was beaten 3-2 by Japansese rival Kawasaki Frontale, who scored two late goals for a memorable comeback victory.
South Korea's Pohang Steelers crushed Australia's Newcastle Jets 6-0 and FC Seoul prevailed in a penalty shootout over Japan's Kashima Antlers after a 2-2 draw.
Nagoya Grampus also won through to the last eight with a 2-1 win over South Korea's Suwon Bluewings.
Kawasaki Frontale triumphed over Gamba thanks to a late winner by substitute Masaru Kurotsu, who scored with a left-foot drive from 15 meters with just five minutes remaining.
Gamba's Brazilian striker Leandro scored a pair of first-half goals either side of Kengo Nakamura's effort for Frontale, putting the defending champions up 2-1.
That lead lasted until the 76th minute when Frontale's own Brazilian forward Renatinho equalized, setting the stage for Kurotsu's winner.
Like Gamba, Suwon Bluewings were another former winner eliminated Wednesday, beaten by Nagoya Grampus.
Yoshizumi Ogawa gave Nagoya 1-0 lead in the first half, converting a pass from Davi in the 22nd minute. Japan international Keiji Tamada doubled the advantage in the 66th minute with a powerful left-foot drive from 15 meters.
Brazilian Edu pulled one back for Suwon in the 69th minute but the visitors couldn't score an equalizer.
In Kashima, Park Yong-ho scored the winner in a lengthy and dramatic penalty shootout as FC Seoul knocked out Kashima Antlers.
After Kashima defender Atsuto Uchida fired high over the net with his penalty, Park beat goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata to give the South Koreans a 5-4 shootout win after extra time ended with the teams locked 2-2.
Kashima led from the fifth minute when Shinzo Kuroki scored, but Lee Seung-ryul equalized in the 22nd when he seized on a loose ball in the area.
Takeshi Aoki gave Kashima a 2-1 lead with a header from a corner early in the second half but Ki Sung-yong pulled the visitors even with a freekick from 30 meters in the 78th minute.
In the shootout, both teams missed their opening shots, and Kashima its second, giving Seoul the advantage until Brazilian Adilson missed for the visitors, leaving the teams tied 2-2 after four shots each. Both scored in the fifth and sixth rounds, then Uchida blazed over and Park found the net.
In Pohang, the Steelers dominated out-of-season Newcastle from start to finish, with Choi Hyo-jin scoring a hattrick.
Brazilian striker Denilson put Pohang ahead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute before Choi scored his first in the 15th minute.
Newcastle harbored comeback hopes until a flurry of second-half goals.
Midfielder Kim Jae-sung made it 2-0 in the 56th minute before Choi completed his hattrick with goals in the 63rd and 72nd minutes.
Macedonian international striker Stevica Ristic comleted the rout in the 85th minute.
Pohang is one of two former champions left in the competition, along with Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad, who won in last month's west Asian round-of-16 games that also saw Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor and Pakhtakor progress along with Qatar's Umm Salal.
Gamba was beaten 3-2 by Japansese rival Kawasaki Frontale, who scored two late goals for a memorable comeback victory.
South Korea's Pohang Steelers crushed Australia's Newcastle Jets 6-0 and FC Seoul prevailed in a penalty shootout over Japan's Kashima Antlers after a 2-2 draw.
Nagoya Grampus also won through to the last eight with a 2-1 win over South Korea's Suwon Bluewings.
Kawasaki Frontale triumphed over Gamba thanks to a late winner by substitute Masaru Kurotsu, who scored with a left-foot drive from 15 meters with just five minutes remaining.
Gamba's Brazilian striker Leandro scored a pair of first-half goals either side of Kengo Nakamura's effort for Frontale, putting the defending champions up 2-1.
That lead lasted until the 76th minute when Frontale's own Brazilian forward Renatinho equalized, setting the stage for Kurotsu's winner.
Like Gamba, Suwon Bluewings were another former winner eliminated Wednesday, beaten by Nagoya Grampus.
Yoshizumi Ogawa gave Nagoya 1-0 lead in the first half, converting a pass from Davi in the 22nd minute. Japan international Keiji Tamada doubled the advantage in the 66th minute with a powerful left-foot drive from 15 meters.
Brazilian Edu pulled one back for Suwon in the 69th minute but the visitors couldn't score an equalizer.
In Kashima, Park Yong-ho scored the winner in a lengthy and dramatic penalty shootout as FC Seoul knocked out Kashima Antlers.
After Kashima defender Atsuto Uchida fired high over the net with his penalty, Park beat goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata to give the South Koreans a 5-4 shootout win after extra time ended with the teams locked 2-2.
Kashima led from the fifth minute when Shinzo Kuroki scored, but Lee Seung-ryul equalized in the 22nd when he seized on a loose ball in the area.
Takeshi Aoki gave Kashima a 2-1 lead with a header from a corner early in the second half but Ki Sung-yong pulled the visitors even with a freekick from 30 meters in the 78th minute.
In the shootout, both teams missed their opening shots, and Kashima its second, giving Seoul the advantage until Brazilian Adilson missed for the visitors, leaving the teams tied 2-2 after four shots each. Both scored in the fifth and sixth rounds, then Uchida blazed over and Park found the net.
In Pohang, the Steelers dominated out-of-season Newcastle from start to finish, with Choi Hyo-jin scoring a hattrick.
Brazilian striker Denilson put Pohang ahead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute before Choi scored his first in the 15th minute.
Newcastle harbored comeback hopes until a flurry of second-half goals.
Midfielder Kim Jae-sung made it 2-0 in the 56th minute before Choi completed his hattrick with goals in the 63rd and 72nd minutes.
Macedonian international striker Stevica Ristic comleted the rout in the 85th minute.
Pohang is one of two former champions left in the competition, along with Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad, who won in last month's west Asian round-of-16 games that also saw Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor and Pakhtakor progress along with Qatar's Umm Salal.
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