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US third in Confederations Cup

The United States bounced back from Sunday's heart-breaking semi-final golden goal defeat to Mexico, to clinch third place in the Confederations Cup soccer tournament with a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.

Paul Bravo scored the first goal for the United States in the 27th minute yesterday by squeezing the ball past the near post after Saudi defender Mohsin Harthi inadvertently deflected a cross from Gregg Berhalter.

The United States were reduced to ten men in the second half after Paraguayan referee Ubaldo Aquino sent off midfielder Matt McKeon for a second yellow card.

But Saudi Arabia were unable to break down the disciplined American defence to create any opportunities for goalscoring sensation Marzouk Al Otaibi.

An unmarked Brian McBride clinched victory in the 78th minute with his second goal of the tournament when he headed in a long cross from Eddie Lewis.

Playing its fifth game in ten days, Saudi Arabia's roller-coaster tournament contained a final twist when Aquino awarded a first-half goal by Abdullah Bin Shehan before consulting with his linesman and reversing the decision for an adjudged handball by Bin Shehan who received a yellow card.

With six goals, Saudi striker Otaibi remains the 12-day tournament's joint top scorer with Brazilian Ronaldo Assis.

Assis gets a chance to take soul possession of the scoring lead in today's final in Mexico city's Aztec stadium between the host nation and defending champions Brazil.

Repeating its third-place showing in the 1992 four-nation Confederations Cup, American coach Bruce Arena's squad completed a highly successful tournament with a surprise group victory over Germany and a narrow defeat to recently crowned Copa America champions Brazil.

UNI