The Confederation Cup kicked off on Sunday in South Africa, as the nation gets a shot at hosting a major international soccer tournament prior to the start of the World Cup in a year’s time.
The eight-team tournament is divided into two groups of four. The U.S., in Group B, is paired with Italy, Brazil, and Egypt. Group A features Spain, New Zealand, Iraq, and South Africa.
On Sunday, Spain, the Euro 2008 champion, routed New Zealand 5–0. Fernando Torres, who plays for Liverpool in England, scored a hat trick in the first 17 minutes of the game.
New Zealand never had a shot in this contest and their lack of quality was painfully evident on Spain’s final goal. A routine clearance was completely botched by central defender Andy Boyens allowing the ball to run through to David Villa who calmly slipped the ball past the goalie.
Iraq and South Africa played out a scoreless draw in Sunday’s other Group A game.
On Monday, the U.S. begins its tournament against defending World Cup champion Italy in Pretoria.
As far as qualification for the World Cup next summer, the U.S. currently is reasonably well positioned in second place out of six teams. The top three automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the fourth place team would need to win a playoff to qualify.
Italy is cruising along at the top of their group and will use the Confederations Cup tournament to match up against other top nations like Spain and Brazil.
An interesting sidebar to the match-up is Guiseppe Rossi.
Guiseppe Rossi, 22, was born in New Jersey to Italian parents. He moved back to Italy when he was 13. He is eligible to play for the U.S. but he chose instead to play for Italy where he is one of the brightest young prospects for the Italian national team.
The young striker also spent two years with Manchester United from 2004 to 2006. He is currently playing for Villarreal in the Spanish Primera Liga.
The U.S. will think back to their group stage encounter with Italy at the World Cup in Germany in 2006 which ended 1–1. The U.S. has proven that it can play with the big boys.
Italy brings a star-studded line-up to the Confederations Cup including Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Andrea Pirlo, and Fabio Cannavaro.
Needless to say, this is a real test for Bob Bradley and the U.S. men’s national team. The U.S. needs more games against teams like Italy in order to improve and become a real threat on the international stage.
The eight-team tournament is divided into two groups of four. The U.S., in Group B, is paired with Italy, Brazil, and Egypt. Group A features Spain, New Zealand, Iraq, and South Africa.
On Sunday, Spain, the Euro 2008 champion, routed New Zealand 5–0. Fernando Torres, who plays for Liverpool in England, scored a hat trick in the first 17 minutes of the game.
New Zealand never had a shot in this contest and their lack of quality was painfully evident on Spain’s final goal. A routine clearance was completely botched by central defender Andy Boyens allowing the ball to run through to David Villa who calmly slipped the ball past the goalie.
Iraq and South Africa played out a scoreless draw in Sunday’s other Group A game.
U.S. Kick Off
On Monday, the U.S. begins its tournament against defending World Cup champion Italy in Pretoria.
As far as qualification for the World Cup next summer, the U.S. currently is reasonably well positioned in second place out of six teams. The top three automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the fourth place team would need to win a playoff to qualify.
Italy is cruising along at the top of their group and will use the Confederations Cup tournament to match up against other top nations like Spain and Brazil.
An interesting sidebar to the match-up is Guiseppe Rossi.
Guiseppe Rossi, 22, was born in New Jersey to Italian parents. He moved back to Italy when he was 13. He is eligible to play for the U.S. but he chose instead to play for Italy where he is one of the brightest young prospects for the Italian national team.
The young striker also spent two years with Manchester United from 2004 to 2006. He is currently playing for Villarreal in the Spanish Primera Liga.
The U.S. will think back to their group stage encounter with Italy at the World Cup in Germany in 2006 which ended 1–1. The U.S. has proven that it can play with the big boys.
Italy brings a star-studded line-up to the Confederations Cup including Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Andrea Pirlo, and Fabio Cannavaro.
Needless to say, this is a real test for Bob Bradley and the U.S. men’s national team. The U.S. needs more games against teams like Italy in order to improve and become a real threat on the international stage.
