An American Fan's View From Baghdad
by Max J. Rosenthal (Commentary | New York Times - June 29)
At home, a game day ritual might be fairly straightforward: a particular bar or seat on the couch, favorite beer in hand, lucky jersey on back. more details | go to article

Brazil Not Showing The Same Flair
by Grahame L. Jones (Preview | Los Angeles Times - June 28)
The team the U.S. faces in Sunday's Confederations Cup final has plenty of stars but lacks the dazzling playmaking for which the South Americans are legendary. more details | go to article

Heartbreaker! U.S. Soccer Squad Blows 2-0 Lead, Loses To Brazil In FIFA Confederations Cup Final
by Michael Lewis (Result | New York Daily News - June 28)
As well as Team USA played, as much fear as the Americans put into the hearts of Brazil in the opening half of the FIFA Confederations Cup final, this one will be known as the biggest missed opportunity they've ever had. more details | go to article

Player Ratings: U.S. vs. Brazil
by Jack Bell (Analysis | New York Times - June 28)
No shame, a lot of gain. more details | go to article

Match Tracking Confederations Cup Final: Brazil 3, U.S. 2
by Jack Bell (Result | New York Times - June 28)
The final of the FIFA Confederations Cup was a tale of two halves. First half: U.S. 2, Brazil 0; Second half: Brazil 3, U.S. 0; Final: Brazil 3, U.S. 2 more details | go to article

Some Facts On The Confederations Cup Final
by Grahame L. Jones (Preview | Los Angeles Times - June 27)
In a sense, today's FIFA Confederations Cup soccer final between the United States and Brazil in Johannesburg, South Africa, is also for the championship of the Americas. more details | go to article

U.S. Team Focuses On Tasks, Not Tributes
by Jeré Longman (Preview | New York Times - June 27)
Coach Bob Bradley and a couple of United States players have been asked repeatedly over the past two days whether they would pay any tribute to Michael Jackson at Sunday’s Confederations Cup final against Brazil. more details | go to article

Some Marquee Names Missing For Brazil
by Jeré Longman (Preview | New York Times - June 27)
When Dunga became coach of Brazil’s national team three years ago, he had no bench experience at such a high level. And he has taken much criticism for fielding a team that is too defensive in nature and does not have enough scoring power. more details | go to article

U.S. Starting XI vs. Brazil: No Surprises
by Jack Bell (Preview | New York Times - June 27)
There really should not be too much debate (or mystery) about Coach Bob Bradley’s starting XI against Brazil in Sunday’s final of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. more details | go to article

U.S. Keeps Things In Perspective
by Jeré Longman (Preview | New York Times - June 27)
Having reached the final of the Confederations Cup on Sunday against Brazil, the upstart United States is the hot topic of international soccer. But the players and team officials have been realistic about their standing in world opinion. more details | go to article

Decision Time For U.S. Before The Final
by Jeré Longman (Preview | New York Times - June 27)
Coach Bob Bradley has one major lineup change to make before the United States plays in its first final of a major international tournament. Who will replace his suspended son, Michael, in defensive midfield in Sunday’s Confederations Cup final against Brazil? more details | go to article

US Coach Bob Bradley: We've All Enjoyed Michael Jackson's Music
by Greg Lalas (Profile/Interview | Goal.com - June 26)
The topic of conversation at Bob Bradley's press conference touched on the recent passing of "The King of Pop." more details | go to article

Bocanegra: We Can't Sit Back Against Brazil
by Greg Lalas (Profile/Interview | Goal.com - June 26)
The outcome of a rematch is usually decided by which team learned the most from the first encounter. The United States is hoping the lessons they learned in their 3-0 loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup group stages will pay huge dividends when the two sides meet again in Sunday’s final. more details | go to article

U.S. Team Feeling Loose Ahead Of Sunday's Final
by Greg Lalas (Preview | Goal.com - June 26)
The feeling is a calm one for the USMNT as it gets set to face Brazil in the Confederations Cup Final on Sunday. more details | go to article

Onyewu For The Defense
by Scott Adamson (Profile/Interview | Anderson Independent-Mail News - June 25)
Oguchi Onyewu had every intention of getting a political science degree from Clemson. On the other hand, he also had every intention of playing professional soccer. more details | go to article