|
|
Confederations Cup: All Business, USA Starts Preparing For Spain
No rest for the winners, as some of the United States team were training on Monday morning, with just two days before the huge semifinal against Spain.
Jun 22, 2009 1:57:33 PM
RUSTENBURG, South Africa—Like desk jockeys coming back from a Las Vegas weekend with a wallet full of winnings, the United States team got back out on the training ground on Monday morning. The euphoria of Sunday night’s unlikely 3-0 win over Egypt, which put the U.S. through to the semifinals of the Confederations Cup, had barely sunk in. But with just two days between games—the U.S. face Spain on Wednesday night in Bloemfontein—head coach Bob Bradley and his players had little time to celebrate.
“That’s the way this tournament’s been,” Bradley said. “We started last night making sure we did the right things. We understood that we have to immediately start preparing. By tomorrow, it’s the day before game.”
While the reserves went through an hour long session in Mogwase, a small hamlet on the edge of the Pilanesberg National Park about 45 kilometers from Rustenburg center, the players that started against Egypt got their rest. A few went on a short tour through the Pilanesburg National Park.
“This is a really unique tournament, unique because it comes so close to the end of everybody’s seasons in Europe,” Bradley said. “So it’s not like the World Cup where there’s window where you can now work together and get fitness in and recovery and that kind of thing.”
After the loss to the U.S., Egypt’s assistant coach Shawki Garib blamed fatigue for the side’s poor result. He claimed the Pharoahs had exhausted themselves in their opening games against Brazil and Italy. Bradley understood Garib’s explanation, and praised his team for pushing through the physical and mental weariness.
“If you’re in a group where your first two games are Brazil and Italy or Italy and Brazil, as was the case with Egypt and ourselves, those games take a lot out of you,” he said. “And you know when you get to third game, if you can be the team that has energy, if you can be the team that gets the lead and pushes, that can make a huge difference. I think that’s what happened.”
It is unclear what changes Bradley will make for the Spain game. One must assume that regular number one Tim Howard will return in goal, despite Brad Guzan’s fine game against Egypt.
“I feel good,” Howard told Goal.com. “We come into this with high hopes and we’re been given a lifeline, which is really awesome. And that just boosts everybody and gives the mentality of the players better and, obviously, whatever knocks your feeling kind of go away.”
The U.S. now face Spain, the third Top-5 team they will have encountered in less than ten days. But Howard, who was in the lineup last summer when the U.S. lost to Spain in a friendly in Santander, says the team doesn’t feel any pressure heading into the game.
“We’ve faced Italy and Brazil and we’ve taken their best punch,” he said. “It wasn’t great on the day. But there’s nothing to be nervous about. We know what Spain are capable of, we know what they’re going to bring.”
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
For more on the Confederations Cup, visit its Goal.com section!
“That’s the way this tournament’s been,” Bradley said. “We started last night making sure we did the right things. We understood that we have to immediately start preparing. By tomorrow, it’s the day before game.”
While the reserves went through an hour long session in Mogwase, a small hamlet on the edge of the Pilanesberg National Park about 45 kilometers from Rustenburg center, the players that started against Egypt got their rest. A few went on a short tour through the Pilanesburg National Park.
“This is a really unique tournament, unique because it comes so close to the end of everybody’s seasons in Europe,” Bradley said. “So it’s not like the World Cup where there’s window where you can now work together and get fitness in and recovery and that kind of thing.”
After the loss to the U.S., Egypt’s assistant coach Shawki Garib blamed fatigue for the side’s poor result. He claimed the Pharoahs had exhausted themselves in their opening games against Brazil and Italy. Bradley understood Garib’s explanation, and praised his team for pushing through the physical and mental weariness.
“If you’re in a group where your first two games are Brazil and Italy or Italy and Brazil, as was the case with Egypt and ourselves, those games take a lot out of you,” he said. “And you know when you get to third game, if you can be the team that has energy, if you can be the team that gets the lead and pushes, that can make a huge difference. I think that’s what happened.”
It is unclear what changes Bradley will make for the Spain game. One must assume that regular number one Tim Howard will return in goal, despite Brad Guzan’s fine game against Egypt.
“I feel good,” Howard told Goal.com. “We come into this with high hopes and we’re been given a lifeline, which is really awesome. And that just boosts everybody and gives the mentality of the players better and, obviously, whatever knocks your feeling kind of go away.”
The U.S. now face Spain, the third Top-5 team they will have encountered in less than ten days. But Howard, who was in the lineup last summer when the U.S. lost to Spain in a friendly in Santander, says the team doesn’t feel any pressure heading into the game.
“We’ve faced Italy and Brazil and we’ve taken their best punch,” he said. “It wasn’t great on the day. But there’s nothing to be nervous about. We know what Spain are capable of, we know what they’re going to bring.”
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
For more on the Confederations Cup, visit its Goal.com section!
Make Your Prediction
USA - Antigua and Barbuda
USA
Antigua and Barbuda
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
USA 8-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 14.49 %
-
USA 4-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 13.04 %
-
USA 5-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 13.04 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.