The U.S. struck again after repelling a Brazilian attack; Clark, without pressure, looked up and played the ball straight
ahead into the path of a breaking Donovan, and he zipped straight upfield with Charlie Davies to exchange passes and drill in a second goal.
Yet already Brazil had
found space along the U.S. back line. Robinho floated to both sides but soon concentrated on his left flank, where dribbles and runs by Kaka and left back
Andre Santos often found right back Spector shorthanded on support. All three tested keeper Tim Howard as Brazil, rather than bombarding the middle with crosses as
Spain had done in its semifinal loss to the U.S., instead cut inside to find shooting lanes or play balls to feet.
A lightning start to the second half doomed the Americans, who
conceded a goal after just 38 seconds. Maicon came down the right side to clip a ball to Luis Fabiano, whose sharp turn and shot were a hair too quick for
DeMerit's attempted block and flashed past Howard into the side netting.
Donovan set several attacks in motion and accompanied by Davies and Dempsey, moved the ball upfield. But
their only two shots came under pressure and from some distance, while nearly every Brazil raid forced desperation clearances or flailing saves by Howard on balls played from the left flank. Howard
pushed out a header from Lucio and two minutes later did the same on an effort by Santos, deflecting it up onto the underside of the crossbar from inside the goal.
Another brief U.S. offensive spurt generated a save by keeper Julio Cesar but did nothing to slow down Brazil, which brought on Elano and Dani Alves
midway through the half. Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan came on as midfield substitutes with 15 minutes to play and struggled to contain waves of Brazilian
thrusts.
Another attack down the left and low cross by Kaka ran for Robinho to nail off the crossbar and Luis Fabiano to head in from close range. Again, the Americans
couldn't prevent the service from Kaka and didn't get a second lucky bounce after Robinho hit the bar. With the fresh Bornstein at left mid running to plug up holes, Brazil simply went down
the opposite side.
Spector managed to deflect a subsequent Kaka cross and Robinho shot high as overtime drew closer. Yet another attack carved open a chance; DeMerit blocked Luis
Fabiano's shot but from the ensuing corner kick, Lucio outjumped Dempsey for Elano's outswinger and powered a header off the inside of the post, which wasn't occupied by a U.S. defender.
A set play offered a late U.S. chance for an equalizer in the final two minutes and Donovan's corner swerved nicely for Onyewu at the edge of the goal area but his header blazed a
yard too high.
Golden Shoe winner (top scorer with five goals) Luis Fabiano danced up to the stage to accept his hardware, and so did his teammates to pick up their winners'
medals. Howard could barely flash a smile when handed the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper of the tournament, Dempsey teared up while holding his Bronze Ball trophy.
Those faces of
elation showed the joy and relief felt by Brazilians in Johannesburg and all over the world. Those looks of despair revealed the pain of coming very, very close to a very, very memorable victory.
June 28, 2009 in Johannesburg
Brazil 3 USA 2.
Goals: Luis Fabiano (Ramires) 46, Luis Fabiano 74, Lucio (Elano) 84; Dempsey (Spector) 10,
Donovan (Davies) 27.
Brazil -- Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Luisao, Andre Santos (Dani Alves, 66), Ramires (Elano, 67), Gilberto Silva, Kaka, Felipe Melo, Luis Fabiano,
Robinho.
USA -- Howard, Spector, Onyewu, DeMerit, Bocanegra, Donovan, Feilhaber (Bornstein, 75), Clark (Casey, 88), Dempsey, Davies, Altidore (Kljestan, 75).
Stats: Brazil/USA
Shots: 31/9
Shots on Goal: 13/4
Saves: 2/8
Corner Kicks: 10/5
Fouls: 11/17
Offside: 6/1
Yellow cards: Brazil -- Melo 25, Santos 36, Lucio 70; Bocanegra 19.
Referee: Martin Hansson (SWE).
Attendance: 52,291