After two spectacular goals from Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan [and three superb blocks], the United States looked set to defeat five-time World Cup Champions Brazil at the Confederation Cup finale.

But the Brazilian came back in the second half and scored the winning goal in the 84th minute to defeat the U.S. 3:2.

The U.S. team was in shock on the stand as they received their second place medals. The U.S. has played Brazil now 15 times to lose all but one of them.

Although the United States lost its chance at winning its first ever international cup [the Confederation Cup is the precursor to the World Cup], the Americans are finally becoming a recognized force.

The U.S. team used to be dismissed as a light-weight that could never compete against European and Latin American teams. But after defeating European champions Spain [1:0] in the semi-finale to advance to the finale and score twice against Brazil and hold such a spectacular team to a one-point victory; the United States has proved itself.

As captain Donovan stated, “You have to give them credit. It’s not like we were playing a U-17 club team. This was Brazil. They have guys on the bench who aren’t getting a sniff on the field who are worth more than our whole team combined. While we’re disappointed, we have to understand it’s never going to be easy against a team like that.”

The team is much more disciplined and the players cooperate on the field a lot better. This means that the United States will be better placed to advance beyond the group round at the 2010 South Africa-hosted World Cup.

It means that the U.S. team can walk in with its head held high and confidence.

Brazilian defender Lucio scored the winning goal.