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.