BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) -- The United States stunned top-ranked Spain 2-0 Wednesday night on goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, advancing to the Confederations Cup final with one of the Americans' biggest soccer victories.

Altidore scored in the 27th minute and Dempsey added a goal in the 74th as the Americans became the first team to defeat Spain since Romania in November 2006.

The chances of such a U.S. victory seemed slim just a few days ago. The 14th-ranked Americans lost their first two games in the Confederations Cup, an eight-nation World Cup warmup, and were on the verge of elimination.

Now they will play defending champion Brazil or host South Africa on Sunday in their first-ever men's final at a FIFA competition.

"It's exciting, a great team effort. To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final. It's big," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "We played as hard as we could and that's what it took. Every guy contributed, so it's a very good feeling."

The U.S. has three full days to prepare for the final.

"We take a few hours to regroup, but we'll be ready," Bradley said. "We're so excited about this."

Spain, the European champion, had set an international record with 15 straight victories and had tied Brazil's record unbeaten streak of 35 games from December 1993 to January 1996.

Spain outshot the U.S. 29-9 but American goalkeeper Tim Howard came up with several big saves.

Altidore got the first goal when he outmuscled Joan Capdevila, his teammate on Spain's Villarreal, to beat goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Dempsey scored when he pounced on Landon Donovan's cross, which bounced off the foot of Sergio Ramos.

Midfielder Michael Bradley, son of the coach, will miss the final. He received a red card for a late sliding tackle in the 87th minute.

The U.S. had been 1-7-1 against top-ranked teams, beating Brazil in the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup and tying Argentina last summer in an exhibition at Giants Stadium. When the United States upset Brazil, goalkeeper Kasey Keller had an outstanding game, just as Howard did.

For the Americans, a longtime soccer outsider, this ranked alongside the upset of Brazil as one of their top wins, just below victories over England in the 1950 World Cup, Portugal and Mexico in the 2002 World Cup and Colombia in the 1994 World Cup.

The Americans were boosted by the return of captain Carlos Bocanegra, who had been sidelined since injuring a hamstring during a World Cup qualifier on June 6. He played left back instead of central defense.

The United States had lost its three previous matches against Spain, 3-1 in the first round of the 1950 World Cup, 2-0 in a 1992 exhibition at Valladolid and 1-0 in an exhibition on June 4 last year at Santander.

Altidore scored after Dempsey lifted the ball over Gerard Pique as Xabi Alonso tried to come in. The ball deflected to the 19-year-old forward, who shot from 18 yards as Carles Puyol attempted to close in vain. The shot went off Casillas' right arm and into the net.

Altidore was so excited he took off his jersey as he ran toward the stands in celebration, drawing a yellow card.

It was the first goal against Spain in 451 minutes, since Turkey's Semih Senturk scored on April 1, and just the third goal the Spaniards allowed in 17 games dating to last summer's European Championship.

Scoring against Spain had special meaning for Altidore, acquired by Villarreal of Spain's La Liga from Major League Soccer and the New York Red Bulls for $10 million last summer. He made only two starts and four substitute appearances during the first half of the season for Villarreal, scoring one goal. Loaned to second division leader Xerez on Jan. 30, he didn't get into a single match.

On Sunday, Altidore had sent a warning to Capdevila.

"He sent me a message and told me that we had to be careful," Capdevila said. "But his Spanish is not so great, so I think he made a mistake."

Dempsey, who scored against Egypt last Sunday to put the United States in the semis, got his 15th international goal from 6 yards after second-half sub Benny Feilhaber brought the ball up and played it wide to Donovan.

I wonder if the fans are gonna still rock that blackface after getting scored on by TWO bruthas.

It is good to see that some black folk want to make race an issue as much as certain white folk. Just goes to show how equal we all really are, they come in all colors.

Big whoop, The USA would get murdered in a Major tournament by Spain, unless they sent their Women players that is.

I'd actually love the Americans to get better at the game, won't happen, you can have some classic draws in football, but as long as the viewing public don't get that, won't take off. most of the players in the U.S. team are playing in lesser teams in the major leagues in Europe.

FIFA have tried and tried but Americans don't dig 'soccer', not enough points per game it seems. Sad, they should be a major power in the game, given the population and the fact the rest of the World loves the game, pity that doesn't spur them on to be better.
[Edited 6/24/09 14:54pm]

resolve said:

Well, i think that shit is just plain wrong, look at what the Spanish F1 fans did to Lewis Hamilton, ignorant twats.

But look at backwards Hollywood films like 'White Chicks' two black 'comedians' in white-face, same shit other way, dunno whats worse personally.

time we all moved on from this puerile 'humour'.

resolve said:

Whatever mayne. It was the Spanish soccer fans that went to matches IN BLACKFACE. If you have a problem with me bringing it up and enjoying the irony in them getting beat the fuck down by the Americans, in general, and by some bruthas, specifically, I couldn't give a good gatdamn.
[Edited 6/24/09 17:19pm]

Marrk said:

Actually it is a big deal that the 14th ranked Americans beat Spain whom I believe had won dozens of consecutive matches. Funny how NOW that's not a big deal tho.

Tim Howard was outstanding.
The US took their chances, and their defence got them home.

I would argue that the confederations cup is a major tournement, afterall the best team of every confederation is represented.

mostbeautifulboy said:

And I think the US has been playing in it for almost 100 years and never won so this is indeed a huge deal for American soccer.

Soccer:

Graycap23 said:

I know where you are coming from but it is the biggest sport on the planet

endymion said:

Not in my crib.

Graycap23 said:

The planet's bigger than your 'crib':

PopeLeo said:

So, you got all that from Gray saying he doesn't watch soccer in HIS house? Some of ya'll kill me always taking somebody's post to the next level for no reason.

SCNDLS said:

Exactly.....but typical.

Graycap23 said:

Hilarious nonetheless.

SCNDLS said:

Since 1916.

SUPRMAN said:

What do you want, I said almost.

Marrk said:

What the rest of the world thinks has never motivated the United States of America. Duh!

SCNDLS said:

Spain had not lost to anyone since November 2006.

SCNDLS said:

Well I happen to read a U.S. article on my Blackberry this morning on the train so I have this information in my head now.
It's no good if I don't share it . . . . .

SUPRMAN said:

Lets get this thread back on track

USA beating SPAIN at football(soccer) is a big deal good result guys


But don't get carried away if you draw ENGLAND in the world cup we is gonna kick your ass

endymion said:

Bring it on, Fish an' Chips!

SUPRMAN said:

Well, we don't want information backing up in your pipes.

SCNDLS said:

Alright my love, let me take you up the apple and pears for a good rogering


Thats got nothing to do with soccer i know but whateva

endymion said:

Are you speaking English???

SCNDLS said:

Its just cliched English slang

apples and pears = stairs, rogering = boffing, shagging errr you know sex

so Translated 'Hi Beautiful can i take you upstairs for some hot luvin'


I can't work out why i started this

Oh btw i really like the look of your boat race


And as a side note i have never actually spoken like that in my life WTF
[Edited 6/25/09 9:09am]

SCNDLS said:

I believe it was 37 consecutive games...they had not lost since 2006!

endymion said:

It's like a foreign language and shit. I shoulda majored in English English.

I can't believe "apples and pears = stairs" where'd that come from? And what the hell is a "boat race?"

SCNDLS said:

Well, to be fair, you'd brought up the race issue and had this half-way to being a P&R thread - I just decided to finish the job
The pic's lighthearted buit I've spent enough time in the US to know there's a hint of truth to it in sports and news media.
(I do agree with you though - a decent percentage of Spanish sports fans are racist MFs and don't hold back on showing their views)

And I responded to Greycap as he was being as negative as ever - I don't go onto American sports threads here just to post if I don't like the sport. To each their own.

But I did enjoy the US victory last night. It wasn't a lucky win - they completely outplayed Spain. Well done!