"Don't Read Too Much Into This..."

This was a quote given to me years ago, right before the 2002 World Cup, by then-U.S. coach Bruce Arena after his team had tied the Richmond Kickers 2-2 in an exhibition match in Cary, North Carolina. Several members of the sports media (myself included) asked him if he was concerned about the results of the match. He responded with the quote above. Who knew he would be so correct, as the team went on to the quarterfinals of the world's biggest soccer tournament that year.

Fast forward to June 21st, 2009. The U.S. team is 0-2 in the Confederations Cup, been outscored 6-1 and looked clueless and dispirited. They need a miracle to advance in the tournament, and lo and behold, it happens. A dominating 3-0 win over Egypt, an identical 3-0 Brazil drubbing over World Champions Italy, and the Yanks move on to face Spain in the semis on Wednesday...

But, folks, don't read too much into this...

Yes, it was a great win for the U.S., the type of win that should give the team some confidence heading into Wednesday's match with Spain, the #1 team in the world (even though I think Brazil can lay claim to that after the way they've played these past few months). Hopefully the U.S. will be competitive, but I'm not really holding my breath.

Cal me pessimistic, but I'm not back on board after 1 win. As my colleague Pat Walsh texted me yesterday, "glad lots of people are happy about a 1-2 record and a -2 goal differential."

That pretty much sums it up. Look, this team has stunk it up in 3 of its past 5 games, looked okay at home against a solid Honduras team, and looked really good against one of the better teams in Africa. That type of inconsistency will get us an 0-3 or 0-2-1 record next year in the Cup and an early ticket home.

There is still no imagination in Bradley's lineups. Why bring Adu and Torres when they won't even step on the field? Think Torres might be wishing he had played for Mexico, where the team would probably make better use of his skills? The guy can possess and pass, something the Yanks haven't proven they can do. It's still a very direct style of play, which works against teams with inferior skills and athletes, but not so much for anybody in the top 30 in the world (and despite the FIFA rankings, I barely put the U.S. in the top 30).

The team still lacks discipline, as the stupid red and yellow cards continue to accumulate. Granted, as someone told me, the reds we got against Italy and Brazil might not have been reds if the roles were reversed, but our players need to understand that. Consider it a soccer version of the "Michael Jordan" rules.

By the way, did you see Bob's face yesterday when the final whistle blew and the U.S. had advanced? As The Washington Examiner's Craig Stouffer texted me, "it was the 'can you believe we got away with that?' look."

Precisely. They got away with one. The heat is off Bradley, for now...but should it be?

Okay, I'll try to end this on a (hopefully) humorous note.

Pat and I texted throughout the game yesterday, and here are some of the gems, albeit out of order, but you can put it together yourself (most of them are from Pat)...

"Dempsey's performance was the quintessential striker being invisible for the entire game, getting the last-minute strike, and all is forgiven."

"Bring on Beasley to kill the game off!!!"

"Davies has played well, but since he actually plays for his club, unlike Jozy or Beasley, he doesn't see as many minutes for the U.S."

"Why can't ESPN just kill the stadium audio so we don't hear those stupid horns?"

"WHAT THE F*CK WAS THAT PASS LANDON? Tell Bianca to give you your balls back!"

"Is Dempsey trying to disguise himself as someone else with that beard? We already know he hasn't shown up all tournament."

"I almost don't even want to watch with this lineup Bob's trotting out..."

"Does it look like the Egyptians are targeting Bornstein?" (I admit I said that one...it's politically incorrect, but still, get a sense of humor!)

"Watching Bradley smiling before the game makes me want to punch babies!"

"God D*mmit! Now these f*ckers have me on the edge of my seat thinking they're actually going to pull this off!"