I'm very proud of our team. Our players showed incredible heart and passion, they played with a pride and intensity we rarely see from American male national teams. Last summer the basketball team showed it as they swept to victory in Beijing but usually players look at national duty as a waste of time. That isn't the case with our soccer team, maybe because of soccer's international standing. But I was particularly impressed with the players and their level of passion throughout the Confederations Cup.

I wasn't impressed with Bob Bradley's tactics. He seemed scared and overly cautious. He waited until Brazil equalised to make a change and did the wrong things when he made them. Again, I can't fault the players he brought on, they did what they were asked, but I have to ask why he picked them.

Our most dangerous players were Landon Donovan and Charlie Davies, both looked especially dangerous when they got the ball out wide exposing Brazil's weakness on the wings by getting the ball away from Brazil's strong spine. Bradley's change was to bring on Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein. Bornstein made since, he's a pacy wide player with an ability to get into the box, Kljestan did not. In certain situations I like Sascha Kljenstan, he provides a nice option at times, but today wasn't the time for him. Many question Bradley's reliance on players he coached at club level, and their questions may have merit.

Aside from his sub there is the question of Bradley's tactics. After taking the lead he again seemed content to go into his now infamous bunker. We don't have the players for this. Our defenders play their best when pressure isn't being heaped on them, and in particular Brazilian pressure. You could tell the defenders were tired. While Tim Howard is one of the world's top goalkeepers he remains human, he is not superman, there is no superman. Howard was heroic today, and while you may look at the scoreline and say he let in three, you don't see the saves he had to make thanks in large part to the bunker tactics.

Our team has changed, this new generation of American players has brought good attacking promise, and it must be used. Bradley isn't tapping it correctly with his tactics, and if the Brazil game wasn't proof enough, look at Costa Rica and El Salvador. Or Italy. That tactic doesn't work for us, that tactic doesn't work for anyone. It's antiquated and exposed.

I am no manager, I never claimed to be, but I'd have brought on Freddy Adu. Freddy would've provided the same thing Donovan, Dempsey and Davies did, he would've provided what was working.

Again, I'm proud of our players. They deserve us to be proud of them, we should all be proud of them. I just feel upset that Bradley's current tactical scheme may be doing our players a grave disservice.

Hats off to Landon Donovan. You're a hell of a player, it's time everyone admits that.

Congratulations to Brazil. What is this? Trophy number 84? Heh.

It's not like the US has never won anything before, they've lifted the regional Gold Cup on several occasions and each time it means something, but it doesn't mean what this does.

This isn't the World Cup, not by a long shot. It's a dress rehersal for the big show next summer, but it does mean something, it's a serious competition. Quietly the Confederations Cup means a lot, particularly to those outside of Europe but even that didn't stop the Europeans from sending strong squads this year, they weren't ordered to, but they came to win.

Today marks the first time an American men's team has reached a FIFA final. This has generated somewhat of a buzz in the United States. The sport struggles for positive publicity here - indeed, many will take any small opportunity to ridicule it - but this team, and this performance has managed to produce it. The Americans were hammered twice, once by the team they face today, to start the tournement, after two matches it looked like a lost cause. Needing a five goal swing in the final group matches the American side put in a brave performance to beat Italy's impressive conquerers Egypt in the third group match and got a massive favor from Brazil as the Samba Boys completely put Italy to the sword in the other fixture. 3-0, 3-0. A six goal swing, they had done it.

2-0. It is the most famous scoreline in American soccer. Known mostly for it's symbolence against heated rivals Mexico, it has taken on new meaning following the Confederations Cup semi-final against world number 1 Spain. Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey provided the goals and Tim Howard the heroics as they pulled off a victory many saw as impossible at kickoff.

This is a proud moment for fans of the United States national team, they follow the team through thick and thin and though often critical, they're also very proud and very protective. Today, whether they win or lose, their boys have made them extremely proud.

TV - 2:25 EDT ESPN (En) & Univision (Es).

South Africa did everything they could to make the 2009 Confederations Cup a story of underdogs. Up against seemingly impossible odds against the superpower of superpowers Bafana Bafana fought bravely and lost by the most narrow of margins.

It was a superbly taken, razor accurate free kick from substitute Dani Alves that crushed South Africa's dreams of reaching their first final and doing it on home soil. For 88 minutes the crowd at Ellis Park were energetic and hopeful as they watched their heroes look Brazil directly in the eyes and not back down. Lead by the inspired play of Everton's Steven Pienaar the hosts frustrated Brazil time after time. Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was nearly cast into the role of hero as he made some big saves to keep the Brazilians at bay.

Indeed at times luck played a role for South Africa but their heart and bravery cannot be denied. it was a harsh ending for South Africa but their adventure will provide them a much needed boost as the prepare to host the big show next summer. For now they will look to Rustenburg where Spain await at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, to the South Africans, this match means a lot.

Meanwhile the United States will partake in their first ever FIFA men's final as Spain's conquerers will take on the same Brazil team that beat them by three goals in the group stage.  Brazil have won the trophy twice in the past in addition to their five World Cups.

Before the match FIFA will take time to honor the late Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe prior to the match.