by Robert Burns

Comment

With a Wednesday date in the Confederations Cup semifinals against Spain — the world's best team — the Americans are going up against the reigning European champions who just happen to be on a record 15-match winning streak and 35-straight unbeaten run (one shy of the world record).

The last time Spain lost a game? That was way back in November of 2006.

And yet for all the obstacles stacked up in front of them, the USA has already experienced a miracle of sorts in the tournament and might just ride that luck one step farther into the final against either Brazil or South Africa.

Having been thoroughly outclassed in the first two matches in Group B by Italy and Brazil, respectively, Bob Bradley's men were left to wonder what might have been. Not only would they have to defeat the crafty Egyptians by three or more goals in their own match (after having only tallied one themselves in the first two games), but the current World Cup champion Italians would have to fall by three or more goals to an all-but-qualified Brazil.

Mission impossible, right? I most certainly thought so (yes, crow tastes bad), as did every single other person with whom I spoke that was still taking an active interest in the U.S. after failing so miserably early on.

But it happened.

Inconceivably, the U.S. came to life against the Pharaohs and made the most of its opportunities for a 3-0 victory, while the normally staunch defense of the Azzurri crumbled against the Brazilians as they stuttered to a tournament-ousting 3-0 loss themselves.

The reward for sheer insanity?

Spain. La Furia. The best in the world.

Peruse through their ranks and you'll see names like Fernando Torres, Xavi, David Villa, Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, et al. Why do these names look so familiar? Because they all play on some of the best clubs in the world and can be found playing deep into the spring in the Champions League.

What used to be a team that could never win the big one, now can't seem to lose one at all.

Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque has learned the lessons that cost his predecessors and found a harmonious balance between experienced, savvy veterans and precocious, "there's nothing we can't do" youth. This team can explode with lightning quick ferocity, or simply bide its time with possession soccer and watch its opponents run themselves ragged trying to chase down the ball.

So why should the Americans think they have any chance of advancing to the final?

Because heart and passion are what win soccer matches. The U.S. didn't show any against Italy or Brazil, but they oozed it against Egypt and got their reward (with a boatload of thanks to the Brazilians, of course).

Spain is most certainly looking ahead to a classic final against those same Brazilians in Johannesburg on June 28, and rightly so. Why should they have any fear facing a U.S. team that was so easily dispatched of by two world powers in the last week?

The Spaniards have also never lost a match to the U.S., winning all three previous meetings, including a 1-0 friendly win in Spain back in June of 2008.

But like the astonishing results on the final match day in Group B, anything is possible. Unlikely, yes, but not impossible.

If the United States can be resolute in defense and survive the early onslaught that's surely coming its way, the pressure shifts to the Spaniards. With an eye on breaking the record for unbeaten matches at 36, Spain is well aware that a glorious place in history is on the line and they'll be wont to take it.

They also know that another final is within their grasp, which adds to the excitement.

The U.S. offense must once again be opportunistic and not waste the few chances that will be afforded them. It was their ineptitude in front of goal against Italy that cost them a chance in that game, but the stakes are now much higher.

America's all-time leading goal scorer, Landon Donovan, will once again be pulling the strings and he will have to be at his very best against Spain if the U.S. is to have any chance of pulling off the upset.

Young forward Jozy Altidore will also need to trouble Spain's defenders and keep them honest — the best way to do this? Don't just wait for a ball to land at your feet in the six-yard box ... take some shots from distance and let Spain know you mean business.

But the most important area for the U.S. will be its back line. With injuries forcing Bob Bradley's hand (most important to captain Carlos Bocanegra), he's found some continuity by putting Jonathan Spector on the right, a central tandem of Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit in the middle of the park, and Jonathan Bornstein on the left.

Any understanding this quartet has amassed over the last three matches will be put to its staunchest test, and if the U.S. has any hopes of playing for a trophy, these four must work hard for one another and anticipate individually better than they ever have previously.

Then there's the goalkeeping question — will it be U.S. No. 1 Tim Howard (who conceded six goals in the first two matches), or young stopper Brad Guzan who pitched the shutout against Egypt?

Bottom line is that the U.S. can't win a shootout with Spain, so they'll have to keep La Furia in check defensively and steal a goal or two by any means possible.

Whatever lineup Bradley decides to field on Wednesday, the U.S. is facing a bleak picture.

But then again, things looked even worse on Sunday before kickoff, and that didn't turn out too bad.

Robert Burns is the senior editor of FoxSoccer.com and contributes his Side Kicks column every Friday.