Frankie Hejduk ties it up in El Salvador (March 2009) The USMNT has had its ups and downs just like any other national team around the world, but the confidence surrounding the group that has been left over going into September might be at an all time high even after a tough lo s in Mexico. The summer months have seen new young stars emerge along with old faces showing their reliability, and I have seen it all. It started back in March with the team resuming its WC 2010 qualifying with an away match in the tough setting that is El Salvador. Lets go along for the ride all over again March/April 2009: The Team Shows their Dario Saric Jersey GutsOn a night where El Salvador scored early (15) and then added one late (72), it seemed as though the USMNT was headed for a frustrating road lo s in their return to qualifying. Down one after Altidore headed a Hejduk cro s in, Frankie Hejduk himself posted up near the back post and headed in a deflected corner from the near post in the 88th minute. When that goal went in I almost completely lost it, and it was now only three days away from another qualifier against TT in Nashville. Jose Altidore had a small coming out party with a hat-trick, and the Yanks showed their worth with a no BS 3-0 win. June 2009: The Yanks Have ArrivedThree days into June and the USMNT were at it again in another unfriendly environment which was Estadio Sapri sa in Costa Rica. Conceding early in the game once again, the US never found their form on a pitch equivalent to my driveway. Frustrating would be word to describe this game and the result, as nothing went the Yanks way all night. Three days later the boys played a home (but basically away) game against Honduras in Chicago. After going down early again (5th minute), it looked as a more competitive Honduras side could easily dismantle the US for an away win. But the boys got going towards the half, with Donavon converting a PK in the 43 and Bocanegra heading home the winner in the 68th minute. A scrappy win, yes, but one that was desperately needed. Now all eyes shifted to the somewhat mysterious Confederations Cup, in which the USMNT had the delight of being grouped with Italy, Brazil, and Eygpt in a two group World Cup tune-up down in South Africa.The US opened the Confederations Cup against Italy on Monday, June 15th. I convinced a couple of buddies to catch the game with me, which was the start of me brainwashing them into Phoenix Suns T-Shirts following the beautiful game (FIFA 09 helps, too). The Yanks played well, well enough to take the lead into the second half on a PK earned by Altidores pure physical strength. But the sleeping Azzuri awoke in the second half, as American-born Giuseppe Ro si blasted home the equalizer. All downhill from there, 3-1 to the Italians. Three days later Brazil pushed the boys aside for an easy 3-0 win. It seemed as though the USMNT had hit a new low. Many were calling Bob Bradleys decisions a joke, and at the time I couldnt disagree. It just seemed as though the US could not run with the big boys, no matter what the stage. I then wrote about Cameron Johnson Jersey how the US needed a six goal swing to get them into the semis, and how we should all give them our support because we have nothing to lose now. Well, karma was on my side, and the Yanks pulled off the impo sible. Davies, Bradley, and Dempsey all tallied while Brazil magically beat Italy by three as well to send the Stars and Stripes into the semis on the Fathers Day Miracle. The boys played care-free attacking football that paid off. Next up was Spain; the run was fun while it lasted, right?The Yanks started off the match against Spain with great pace, going toe to toe with the number one team in the world. 27 minutes in, Jose Altidore greeted the back of the net. Altidore gets control, turns, shoots, GOAL. The USMNT was leading Spain by one, but the real question was that how long will it hold? Five, maybe ten minutes? The US stood their ground for the rest of the game, blocking more shots than Shaq in his prime along with having the least amount of ball po se sion Ive seen since my AYSO days. But it was the Yanks day, as Dempsey found the net on a Spanish defensive error, and it was the United States Mens National Soccer team who ended Spains 35 game unbeaten streak.My emotions of the Brazil game went in this chronological order: grudgingly optimistic (pre-game), excited (up 1), absolutely ecstatic (up 2), over-confident (halftime), quite optimistic (up 1), praying for penalties (tied), shockingly disappointed (down 1), pi sed off (full time). After Donavon and Davies put on a counter-attack that resembled something out of a football textbook, I really thought we would be holding a trophy in 45 minutes time. But instead of standing our ground like we did against Spain, Bob Bradley went into turtle mode and made poor substitutions. Turtle mode allowed for Brazil to swing wide; Kelly Oubre Jr. Jersey and next thing I knew the game was over. So the US had just choked a 2-0 lead at halftime, their second time ever doing so in the span of one week, and to Brazil nonethele s. Everyone was saying dont feel so bad, but I couldnt help it. The boys had the animal that is Brazil by the neck, and because of poor coaching they were told to let up. Frustrating to say the least. July 2009: The B TeamThe 2009 Gold Cup quickly became an afterthought to the Confederations Cup when Bob Bradley and company rolled out, to be honest, the reserve USMNT squad to face CONCACAFs best. Being away most of July, I did not catch a single one of the games, but I didnt feel bad about it because of the players involved. Stuart Holden turned some heads, including mine, and I think he will be a fine player to start. I just felt as though the 2009 Cup didnt really matter. The winner of the 2011 Cup will play in the Confederations Cup before Brazil, so that tournament should be a better one than this. Sure I wasnt pleased with the 5-0 lo s to Mexico at home, but I cant blame a clearly inferior squad Grant Hill Jersey to Mexicos which was half reserves and half starters. My overall take on July and the Gold Cup: dont sweat it too much. August 2009: Some Good, Mostly BadThe lead up to the Mexico WC Qualifier is like nothing Ive seen. Ma s media coverage, to which Coach Bob Bradley actually has to explain himself as to why the team isnt getting acclimated to Estadio Aztecas altitude, something rare. The TV situation in the US which ultimately led to NBC making a channel they owned called MUN2 free for the day of the game to those who had DirecTV or a cable box around the country. Finally, game day arrives and I am confident. I convince three friends to clear their schedules, and five minutes in I feel like a King. Get out of the half I keep telling the team with my psychic powers. Fifteen minutes later, the let down. Castro has too much space up top, and puts a perfect shot in. Nothing anyone could do about it really, Ill admit, except that