JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Clint Dempsey sobbed as the Americans walked
up to get their second-place medals, unable to hide the pain and
the disappointment any longer.
The euphoria of knocking off Spain last week dissolved Sunday in
the Confederations Cup final when Brazil unleashed its "Beautiful
Game."
After dominating the five-time World Cup champions in the first
half, the Americans were powerless as Brazil scored three goals in
the final 45 minutes to rally for a 3-2 win.
"We're at the point where we don't want respect, we want to
win," said Landon Donovan, whose goal in the 27th minute gave the
United States a 2-0 lead. "There's no guarantee we ever get back
to a final game like this, so it's disappointing."
Luis Fabiano scored twice for Brazil, and Lucio added the third
in the 84th minute to give Brazil its second straight
Confederations Cup title and third overall. The American men fell
short in their first final of a FIFA tournament, but the experience
was invaluable.
Almost sure to qualify for next year's World Cup, also in South
Africa, the Americans certainly saw the benefits of playing this
game. What hurt was the way they lost it.
"We continue to try and move ourselves forward, and playing
these kind of games only helps," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.
"But it still feels pretty lousy to let this one get away."
In the third-place match, Spain fought back to beat host South
Africa 3-2 after extra time in Rustenburg.
The United States has beaten Brazil once in 15 games, and it was
just 10 days ago that the Brazilians hung a 3-0 rout on the
Americans in group play of the tournament that had the critics
piling on and some calling for Bradley's job.
In the first 45 minutes Sunday, though, it was Brazil that
looked like the beaten team. Its usually fluid offense created few
opportunities and was constantly stymied by the U.S. defense and
goalkeeper Tim Howard. Meanwhile, the Americans were relentless in
their attack on a nervous-looking Brazil defense, with Donovan
working hard to give his team several scoring chances.
Just 10 minutes into the game, Jonathan Spector sprinted down
the right side and sent a low cross into the area. Dempsey, who had
plenty of room to maneuver, raised his right leg and put just
enough of a touch on the ball to alter the direction and send it
past a diving Julio Cesar.
Dempsey, who also scored in the 2-0 shocker over top-ranked
Spain in the semifinals, finished the tournament with three goals
and was awarded the Bronze Ball.
Donovan then got possession at his own end shortly after Maicon
had sent in a corner for Brazil from the right. The United States
midfielder ran up the middle, passed to Charlie Davies and then
reclaimed the ball from his teammate before beating Julio Cesar.
There is a reason Brazil has won so many titles over the years,
though, and it wasn't about to let another slip away.
Luis Fabiano started the comeback in the 46th minute. The
striker collected a pass from Ramires before turning and shooting
past defender Jay DeMerit for his fourth goal of the tournament.
"We gave up the first goal so early in second half," Bradley
said. "We really put ourselves in a tough spot."
Luis Fabiano added a tournament-leading fifth goal to equalize
in the 74th, heading in a rebound after Kaka's cross was kicked
against the crossbar by Robinho.
The Americans caught a break in the 60th when Kaka headed a
cross from Andre Santos to the near post. Howard stepped back into
his goal and knocked the shot off the underside of the crossbar and
then grabbed it safely in his arms. Kaka appealed, arguing that the
ball crossed the line before Howard was able to get to it, and
television replays indicated he was correct.
It wouldn't matter, with Lucio delivering the decisive goal in
the 84th when he headed a corner kick from Elano past Howard.
Brazil has now won eight matches in a row, and is unbeaten in 16.
"You look around at their players, and you realize why they're
worth so much and why they play at the teams that they play,"
Donovan said. "It's disappointing when we gave such a good effort
today."
As the Brazilians gathered in a circle and jumped up and down in
celebration, the Americans remained on the field, watching in stony
silence. Many climbed up to get their medals with their heads
bowed, and there were few smiles in sight.
"We were able to make it a real game with a top team," Bradley
said. "Over time, to be able to sustain that longer, not have ups
and downs throughout the game, that's a sign of progress."
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Lineups:
United States: Tim Howard, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi
Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, Ricardo Clark (Conor Casey, 88), Clint
Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore (Jonathan
Bornstein, 75), Benny Feilhaber (Sacha Klejstan, 75).
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Luisao, Lucio, Andre Santos (Daniel
Alves, 66), Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, Ramires (Elano, 67), Kaka,
Robinho, Luis Fabiano.
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AP National Writer Nancy Armour contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)