U.S. v Spain LIVE

We are just over an hour away from kickoff of the Confederations Cup semifinal between the USMNT and world #1 Spain. You folks in the States not at work can watch on either ESPN or Univision, while those limited to the interwebs can also follow the action at the U.S. Matchtracker.

Line-ups to come shortly, followed by some comments and a prediction from me...

12.37 PM CT - Well, it seems the official Spain website did have inside info...

Howard; Spector, Onyewu, DeMerit, Bocanegra; Donovan, Clark, Bradley, Dempsey; Davies, Altidore

12.49 PM - No surprises from Spain...

Casillas; Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila; Alonso, Xavi, Fabregas, Riera; Torres, Villa

12.50 PM - By the way, working folks, FIFA.com is carrying game video live, so you may be able to get away with opening the page and just listening to the audio. When is the USMNT going to have its own radio network?

1.12 PM - I suppose it's time to go out on that limb. With the game time temperature expected to dip liberally below 40 degrees, the U.S. could enjoy a small advantage over hot-blooded Spain in that respect.

Nevertheless, our hopes rest largely on staying in front of Spain playmakers and in getting offense from the counter and/or set pieces. The 'Nats would do well to ease into this game slowly, working as much early possession as they can to both shorten the match and expedite a team feel for what will essentially be a frozen ball on frozen turf.

So what's my call? I'll go with a 2-1 Spain victory. Back for kickoff in about 20.

1'

Game on...

2'

Good early shape and ball pressure by the U.S. Spain's first corner, taken short, comes to nothing.

4'

First U.S. corner, set up by a Jozy endline surge from the left, is nodded away.

5'

Donovan booked for a silly late swipe at Xabi Alonso.

7'

A nice U.S. rush ends with Davies firing an overhead kick wide from Dempsey's cross..

8'

Davies is unable to nod a Bocanegra cross on target. Seconds later, Dempsey fires just wide from 20 straight away. The USMNT are causing turnovers in the Spain end.

10'

Fabregas blasts well over from distance.

12'

Torres redirects a far post cross wide on the lunge.

17'

As I'd hoped, the 'Nats are settling nicely into the match, and showing the ability to hold a bit of possession.

Torres is flagged after seemingly getting loose up the middle, but Howard made the save anyhow.

21'

Donovan fires a bit wide from over 20 on a 3-v-3 break. Spain reply with a rush of their own, but the final balls are imprecise or cut out by the U.S.

25'

Spain corner kick cleared by Gooch.

27'

A USMNT rush works the left, and Dempsey slips a pass to the area for Altidore. The youngster shields Pique on the spin and fires home off the fingers of Casillas! 1-0 USA!

And then he doffs his shirt, drawing a yellow. Jozy, Jozy, Jozy...

31'

Spector with a big block on Villa's drive. Then, the second of consecutive Spain cornersis handled easily.

32'

After a pinball lands at the right foot of Villa, Bocanegra faces him up and the striker fires well over from 25.

36'

Capdevila booked for a tug after losing Altidore. Long resulting Donovan free kick is seemingly set on a platter for back post runner Bocanegra, but Dempsey goes for it on the stretch and can't put it near frame.

39'

Just when Torres seems to have found space for a shot in the box, Onyewu swoops in to clear for a corner, which is nodded comically wide by Ramos.

43'

Big DeMerit challenge keeps Ramos from turning home a Villa cutback.

44'

Onyewu's acrobatic scorpion interception foils a cross for Villa.

45'

Torres comes close to beating Howard short side on a raid from the right touchline.

HALFTIME

A very nice opening 45 for the underdogs, who were solid all the way through the period. Dempsey is having another fine outing and the central midfield duo of Bradley & Clark have worked together beautifully to lessen the impact of Xavi.

--

46'

Game back underway...

48'

USMNT corner kick headed over by Dempsey, who is kicked in the face by Ramos on the play - no call.

50'

Howard turns away a curling Villa drive from 20.

51'

Villa nearly breaks in alone, but DeMerit slows him down enough and Howard smothers the loose ball.

53'

Spain have the early second half momentum, but come up short on another corner.

54'

Davies is free down the right, but his cross is over everyone.

58'

U.S. corner cleared to Clark, who can't direct his volley near frame.

61'

Villa screams a shot wide from 25. Spain just can't get to the spots they want to get to, thanks to DeMerit and Onyewu.

64'

Fabregas tries from long range and Howard is able to push the rebound past the onrushing Villa. Moments later, Howard shoves a bad angle Ramos blast around the post.

66'

Clark makes a massive recovery block after a cross bounces through to Ramos.

69'

Cazorla on for Fabregas, then Feilhaber on for Davies.

73'

On a rush set up by Feilhaber, Spain can't clear a low Donovan cross and Dempsey picks up the garbage. 2-0 USA!

75'

DeMerit trouble with a clearance almost gives Villa a chance, but the defender recovers to start the ball on its way out.

78'

Mata is on for Riera. He quickly earns a corner kick, which leads to a danger free kick conceded by Feilhaber. Villa rolls his shot harmlessly at Howard.

80'

Another Spain corner comes to nothing.

81'

Xabi Alonso stings Howard's hands from long range.

82'

Bocanegra ushers away Capdevila's cross.

At the other end, Altidore is seemingly robbed of a left channel breakaway off of Feilhaber's lob feed by an incorrect offside flag.

85'

Onyewu deals with a tricky Mata cross. Spain then waste successive corner kicks.

86'

Another perfectly fine Feilhaber lead pass, this time for Casey on the left flank, is flagged wrongly.

87'

Bradley is shown straight red for what looked like a slightly sloppy 50/50 challenge. Hmmm. I'd like to see that again. I don't even think he'd committed a foul all night.

A scramble in front of the U.S. goal sees Gooch come up with another big block on Villa.

89'

Bornstein on for Dempsey. Pique then carded for mouthing off to the ref.

90+3'

Bornstein joins in with the block party. Not much time left now.

FULL TIME 2-0 USA, Confederations Cup finalists!!

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- Greg Seltzer