It's the USA vs Brazil in the Confederations Cup Final

It will already go down as one of the most amazing stories of the United States Men's National Team, and it can still get better. The USA faces Brazil in a rematch from the second match of group play where the yanks were routed to the tune of 3-0. But following the game, something changed, and the US has outscored the African champions (Egypt) and the European champions (Spain) 5-0 since the loss. The US was criticized for lack of heart and timid play up until the Egypt game. Since then the US has shown that tremendous heart, resilience, and desire that true champions are made off. One more win will put this down in international history as one of the only true upsets of all time.

Getting there is another story however, as standing in their way are the same team that clocked the US 3-0, the defending champions, the undisputed kings of football historically having won five World Cups, Brazil. This team however does have weaknesses, as South Africa showed during the other semi-final match, which took a brilliant Daniel Alves free kick late in regulation to see them through. Skill won't win this game, pretty play won't win this game...the desire to win must come from the heart. The courage to stand up to a technically and tactically superior opponent. The will to battle on when things go wrong. This team has shown it can compete with and beat the best teams in the world when they stick together and stick to their tasks. I don't expect much line-up swaping from the last game with ofcourse the one exception due to Bradley's ridiculous red card (that "foul" isnt even a foul in the Bundesliga). But here are my starting 11 against Brazil:

--------------------Howard

Spector-----DeMerit-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra

-------------Feilhaber------Clark

Dempsey------------------------------Donovan

-------------Altidore-------Davies

This line-up gives the US the speed and power to attack Brazil on the counter, where like Spain, the outside backs love to get forward, leaving the flanks open to penetrating runs from Donovan, Dempsey, and Davies. Feilhaber's ability to see the whole field and his immaculate touch will be able to split the defense wide open and allow the US to attack the goal this time. With those four guys able to run off of Altidore, who is making a name for himself in this tournament, and Clark able to clean up any mistakes, the back four should be in for an easier day than what we saw against Brazil last week. Gameplan should be the same as it was against Spain, tight and organized in the middle of the field, and shut down the flanks quickly. Physical play can throw the Brazilians off of their usual scheme of "dancing with the ball and passing it into the net". Onyewu and DeMerit need to assert themselves early on Luis Fabiano and Robinho, and Clark and Feilhaber need to attempt to limit Kaka's touches on the ball. Do that and the US can win.