Reminder – US MNT Faces Brazil At 1:30 pm Today!

Pre-game is at 1:00 pm and the boys will kick off at 1:25 pm today on ESPN. While the U.S. Men are in their first-ever FIFA tournament final, five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil are making their fourth appearance in the Confederations Cup final and looking for their record-setting third title. Check the US Soccer website for background on the game.

If you really want to dive into the details, how about considering The Question: How is Brazil’s 4-2-3-1 different from a European 4-2-3-1? Hat tip to one of my new favorites, Inside Minnesota Soccer, for the link.

Stefan Fatsis offers some thoughts on the game and it’s impact in Sports Illustrated with his article In soccer, U.S. still battling uphill (hat tip to Hillcrest Road)

It’s been a tough week for Europeans who hate America’s growing influence in world soccer. First, ESPN acquired the rights to show some English Premier League games — in England. Then, the U.S. men’s national team outthought and outmuscled the world’s top-ranked team, Spain, 2-0 in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Finally, since you’ve made it this far, you need some background on the constant roar you hear in the background at the games. The Pitch Invasion offers the best story that I’ve seen with Satan’s Instrument? The Vuvuzela and Noisemaking in World Football as he places the vuvuzela in context both with other noisemakers through the years as well as soccer on the African continent. Enjoy!

PS – did I mention Grant Wahl thinks the US can win?