Confed Cup Scouting Report

Confederation Cup 2009
South Africa

Bob Bradley will get his chance to flex his muscles against a set of top teams on the international stage when the US prepares to face Italy, Brazil, and Egypt in the upcoming 2 weeks. Coming off an impressive come-from-behind victory against Honduras last weekend at Soldier Field, the Nats will see what they are truly made of against the worlds' best.

We were headed towards a repeat of Costa Rica on Saturday when Carlos Costly scored inside the first 10 minutes. But the boys rallied with goals from Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra to secure 3 points and another priceless qualifying win. Sloppy? Maybe. But, then again many CONCACAF Qualifiers tend to migrate in that direction. We dominated play after the opening moments, and stunned the largely Honduran crowd to put us in the driving seat of our own fate in qualifying. But, the focus has turned from qualifying for next summers' biggest stage to a Confederation Cup that lets teams set the tone for the World Cup in June. Bradley selected a side that you have to think will be very close to that team that will travel a year from now.

GK: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England), Luis Robles (Kaiserslautern, Germany)
DEF: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (Midtjylland, Denmark), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege, Belgium), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United, England), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MID: Freddy Adu (AS Monaco, France), DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus, Denmark), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca, Mexico)
FOR: Jozy Altidore (Xerez, Spain), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Charlie Davies (Hammarby, Sweden), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

First, Bradley & Co. face the overwhelming test against the defending World Cup Champions, Italy. Any American fan will surely recall our last meeting in Germany, where we came from behind to draw 1-1 with 9 men, truly a fantastic moment in US Soccer. We also couldn't forget the nasty, nasty behavior of the Azurri in Kaiserslautern. Danielle De Rossi's vicious elbow on McBride's precious eye has forever stamped a place in the mind of US fans, and we will be looking to show that 1-1 is just a taste of what we can produce. Diving, spitting, shit-talking, and various other outlandish behavior is to be expected from the dirty Europeans. The strong line-up suggests that Lippi will not be in a generous mood.

GK: Amelia (Palermo), Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Galatasaray).
DEF: Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Lione), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan).
MID: Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan).
FOR: Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Pepe (Udinese), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal), Toni (Bayern Monaco).

Next, the Americans face the most decorated club in this event, along with the World Cup, Brazil. Obviously, Brazil could be labeled as the World's best team, but recent results show otherwise. Consistency is the major issue with the South American's, who seem to be struggling themselves in qualification. But, coming off a 4-0 win against Uruguay, the Brazilian's will not be lacking confidence. With names like Robinho, Gilberto Silva, Luis Fabiano on your team sheet, you can't rightfully say that they aren't talented. Considering the competition that this club has for squad, expect them to come out with an attacking mentality.

GK: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur), Victor (Gremio)
DEF: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Alex (Chelsea), Juan (AS Roma), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Kleber (Internacional), Andre Santos (Corinthians).
MID: Anderson (Manchester United), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano (Manchester City), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (AC Milan)
FOR: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Manchester City)

Lastly, with perhaps our best chance for 3 points, we face Egypt. People seem to be count out the Egyptians, but make no mistake that this team has excellent attacking options. One name that is surely to make an impact, is that of Mohamed Zidan. The Borussia Dortmund striker has put in some impressive performances in the Bundesliga. This tricky fixture will, figures crosses, will not be a consolation for the US.

GK: Essam Al Hadari (Sion, Switzerland), Abdul Wahed Al Sayed (El Zamalek), Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaily), Al Hani Soliman (El-Ittihad Alexandria)
DEF: Hani Said (El Zamalek), Mahmoud Fathallah (El Zamalek), Wael Gomaa (Al-Ahly), Sherif Abdul Fadhil (Ismaily), Ahmed Said (Haras El Hodood), Ahmed Al Muhammadi (ENPPI), Sayed Moawad (Al Ahly), Hazem Emam (El Zamalek), Ahmed Samir Farag (Ismaily)
MID: Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahly), Mohamed Shawki (Middlesbrough, England), Hosni Abd Rabu (Al Ahli Dubai, United Arab Emirates), Ahmed Khairy (Ismaily), Mohamed Soliman (Ismaily), Abdul Aziz Tawfiq (ENPPI), Ahmed Hassan (Al Ahly), Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly)
FOR: Ahmed Eid (Haras El Hodood), Mohamed Zidan (Boroussia Dortmund, Germany), Mohamed Abougreisha (Ismaily), Ahmed Abdul Ghani (Haras El Hodood), Ahmed Raouf (ENPPI), Ihab Al Masri (Arab Contractors), Mohamed Mohsen Abou-Grisha (Ismaily)


This, for much of the US squad, is the chance for the US to stamp their places in the side. Obviously names like Onyewu, Bocanegra, Donovan, Dempsey, and Howard have their spots all but secured. Other names like Feilhaber, Bornstein, Beasley, and Clark will have something to prove. We realistically should expect 3 points against Egypt, and a result from the other 2 matches would be an uplift. This is a true test of Bradley's willingness to experiment and establish the best team possible. We have done well against these teams in years past, and with the whole world watching, should be up for these games.

Drink to ease your nerves if you must, that's what we do. That's the way we like it.

Come on US. Let's do this shit!