U.S. tops Spain, stuns soccer fans

Fans of the red, white and green were mostly happy for the fans of the red, white and blue Wednesday.

The United States shocked the soccer world by defeating Spain, the No. 1 team in the world and unbeaten in 35 games, 2-0 in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

The United States and Mexico are rivals in soccer and play each other in an important World Cup qualifying match in Mexico City on Aug. 12, a game that Mexico needs to get three points from if it hopes to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

But Wednesday, those thoughts were pushed aside —- mostly.

“I think the U.S. is pretty good,” said Steven Salgado, 18, who made the trip from Rockingham, N.C., for Wednesday’s game between Mexico and Venezuela at the Georgia Dome.

“But Mexico is still going to win,” his friend Miguel Reyes, 17, interjected.

> U.S. advances to first men’s FIFA final since starting play in 1916. C2