US shock Spain, and everyone else

Well I didn't see that coming...

The US beat *Spain* pretty convincingly, now that they may celebrate

I still stand by my earlier comments, but this is at least an achievement, and certainly makes up for the group stages

As for Spain, it was pretty much the same team that beat us, it just went a bit awry, they have still beaten us and have a 100% record in qualification, but it shows they are beatable and can give us hope that they may not be invincible come the World Cup

The pundits are blaming it on them only having played the likes of New Zealand and Iraq and not being ready for a technically decent, if not brilliant, team

Anybody can win on their day...

Really?

I know there is nothing better going on - but do we have to have to have such attention drawn to a game between the US and Egypt?

Is this picture of Clint Dempsey, looking like he's won the Champions League, really necessary as the first thing I see on BBC football?


Wow, the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup...

I admit for the US it is a slight achievement, being in a group with Brazil and Italy is pretty scary on paper - but let's face facts here, they lost to Italy 3-1, to Brazil 3-0, the only game they got a point off was Egypt - had Italy not lost to Egypt themselves (worst 'world champions' ever) they wouldn't have got through

Then to really showcase the level of mediocrity on display here I will explain how the US got through - it wasn't even on goal difference, both Italy and the yanks had -2, the US qualified by virtue of scoring one more (so also conceding one more) - hence why Climpsey's goal was celebrated in such a fashion

But really, let's have some dignity - this sort of ropey qualification isn't even something England have stooped to

If I spot an American celebrating anywhere he's getting an earful - this is a win over Egypt, the team ranked 40th in the world, pure and simple - which one qualified was a matter of statistics between three hopeless sides, there is no achievement in that

But anyway, Italy going out of any competition is good in my book, and I look forward to the final between Spain and Brazil, like I need to say who my money is on...

Sven For Pompey?

Sky Sports reports that Sven Goran Eriksson is to be approached to be the new manager of Portsmouth.

The Telegraph says that Eriksson was not the first choice, as the board had Avram Grant in mind. However, they canvassed the opinion of some of the senior first team players and found that Grant would not be a popular choice, and felt he may not get the necessary respect that may be required to turn the teams fortunes around this season. David James and Peter Crouch are being named as very supportive in the approach for Eriksson.

Mexico are due to play the USA tonight, so an approach for Eriksson is not possible just yet, but is likely. Eriksson is likely to be above the wage demands that Alexandre Gaydamak was prepared to go to, but he may be tempted to spend a little extra and offer a large cash bonus for Eriksson especially if he is able to keep them in the Premier League.

Results have not been great for Mexico under Eriksson, so the Mexicans may be prepared to deal in return for some compensation.