CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE:

THE USMNT BEATS TOP-RANKED SPAIN

The US Men’s National Team went to the Confederations Cup in 2009 hoping to continue its ascendancy in the global game, in advance of the 2010 World Cup. With teams like Brazil, Italy an Spain in the field, the Americans would have a chance to prove they belonged. However, the tournament got off to a bad start for the US, with two decisive losses. They scraped through to the knockout round by the skin of their teeth, setting up a showdown with Spain, the world’s stop ranked team and widely considered the best international soccer team ever assembled.

Coach Bob Bradley gave the players a gameplan that would put them in a position to stop Spain’s 35-match unbeaten streak. With strong execution and a little luck, the Americans did the impossible and walked away with a win that changed the perception of the program.

Jonathan Bornstein was a long-time Major League Soccer star, and member of that 2009 USMNT. The win over Spain was one of his 38 caps, and the current assistant coach of the Florida State women’s soccer team joined the show to share his memories about that game, the Confederations Cup and more.