Let me say this up front; the U.S. didn't choke yesterday. Brazil was the better team, had the better chances, and you just KNEW once they got the 1st goal, they'd get 4 (true, they got 3, but the goal that wasn't called would have been 4).

So was yesterday a gut punch when you relinquish a 2-goal lead in the championship of the 4th or 5th biggest tournament in soccer? Maybe a little bit, at least that's what I've been reading on message boards and comments from other soccer media. After what I've seen the past 2 weeks from this American team, I think the future is much brighter than it was after the opening day debacle against Italy.

There were some negatives yesterday, but not too many. And we've focused on the bad stuff the first week, so let's examine the positives of week 2.

1. Jonathan Spector is the right back - No, he's not a "serviceable replacement for Steve Cherundolo or Frankie Hejduk," as one reporter said. The job is, and should be, Spector's until he loses it. He played nearly every minute in the tournament, and was solid. Yes, he got burned by Kaka more than once yesterday, but don't most of the defenders in the world get burned by that guy? Nothing to be ashamed of about that. Granted, he doesn't have the pace of Cherundolo or Hejduk, but here's what else he brings; quality service. When was the last time we saw that from an outside back? Some perfectly placed crosses were knocked in for goals or for chances, something the U.S. hasn't had in some time. And the kid is only going to get better.

2. Welcome back, Clint Dempsey - Sure, there's still a knock against him that his defense isn't great, but the Clint we saw in these past 3 games has made that forgivable, right? I still think he's more effective as a forward, but then that would impact Davies or Altidore. Interesting to see how Coach Bradley uses him over the next year. A motivated Clint reminds me of another Clint...Mathis. Had a good 2002 tourney and fizzled out. Hopefully we'll see these kinds of performances from Dempsey on a regular basis.

3. Landon is a beast - Arguably the MVP in the tournament, although he didn't receive a nice trophy to show for it. His knifing runs, his inspired play on both sides of the ball, his finishing, his role of leadership that was previously absent...all of these made him the Landon Donovan that seemed to be missing over the past few months. Maybe he was just burned out? Regardless, if he's serious about making one final attempt to make it overseas, these past few games are seeing to it that he's a player to get some serious offers when the transfer window opens up this winter.

4. Defensive Midfielders - how many is too many? - Michael Bradley is a starter when healthy or not suspended (wonder what he would have done in yesterday's game?)... The other d-mid could be Rico Clark, who was strong in this tourney, Feilhaber, who also made his mark, or what about the injured Mo Edu, who is a regular in Europe, or the new addition of German-based Jermaine Jones? 5 guys for 2 or 3 spots will make for some interesting camps. Which is great, because our bench was not deep after the team's 5 games in 13 days. This leads me to my final thought;

5. Bob Bradley was NOT outcoached by Dunga yesterday - Yep, I just said it. Bradley put on the best 11 he could, with his son suspended. They played with skill, heart, and guts, something we weren't sure they had over the past 2 months. The team has obviously rallied and has an "us against the world" mentality, similarly to what former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson used to motivate his players when they were winning Super Bowls. Bradley's problem yesterday was depth. I wasn't thrilled w/ some of his subs, but looking down the roster, other than Torres (who might have been a real asset for possession in the 2nd half), who else could he bring on to make a difference? Dunga had Alves; Bradley had Bornstein...um, yeah, that's a wash, right? Hopefully, the injuries to the 3 or 4 other key players on this team will be done soon, and the U.S. can approach these games (especially South Africa next year) with a team of 17 or 18 who can be counted on and be effective.

1 last thing; I mentioned Torres in the previous paragraph, and how I think he might have made a difference in the 2nd half. Unfortunately, he didn't see a minute of action in this tournament. I would really like someone in the mainstream press to ask about why this guy isn't being given a chance. He can start in the Mexican 1st division but can't be higher than DaMarcus Beasley on the depth chart? Still trying to figure that one out.

Yes, yesterday was a tough pill to swallow, but it's nice to see a bit of change in the U.S. mentality; instead of just hoping to win yesterday, there was a brief time when it was almost expected. Against Brazil, or Spain, that type of thinking didn't exist before. If these guys believe they can win, anything is possible... Are you looking forward to the Azteca game as much as I am?

P.S. - Why was DaMarcus Beasley the only U.S. player who actually didn't wear his medal? Just held it in his hands...not enough bling for ya' pal? Can we just be rid of this guy and move on, please? I know, it's just me and a pet peeve, but the rest of the guys, as upset and crushed as they were, sported those things with pride. Beasley looked at it as if he were trying to think of how much he could sell it for on e-bay...