FIFA Confederations Football Cup Final 2009

Despite playing and losing to Brazil in the group stages of the Confederation Cup, the United States team will be a different proposition in the final. A poor performance by the United States saw Brazil win 3-0. However, since then the USA have defied the odds and put in some great performances, including beating Egypt in the semi-final and an eye catching win over Spain, the world's number one team. The team was full of confidence against the European Champions and Brazil will not be taking anything for granted. The United States captain, Carlos Bocanegra will return after a three match absence. He will play at left back instead of his usual centre back role; however he will be marking Maicon, who performed so well in the first encounter between the two countries and is seen as a major threat. One of the many high spots of the teams performance against Spain was the energy Bocanegra brought to the defence. The United States, who will be playing in their usual all white kit, will also be without four of the team who played in the first match against Brazil. They will need to make sure that they take all of their chances, as they did against Spain, and show the same level of grit and determination in defence as they displayed against the world number one team. Brazil will play in their usual yellow shirts with green trim and blue shorts with a white trim. They played one of their worst games of the tournament in the semi-final against South Africa, and only a goal by Daniel Alves managed to help them squeeze through late in the game. The Brazilians can be unpredictable, but they are unlikely to repeat the same poor performance in the final. The Brazilians are capable of scoring from all parts of the pitch and the United States will have their work cut out if they are going to beat them.