USMNT Accepts ESPY For Best Upset

The 2009 ESPY Awards aired on Sunday night with the U.S. Men’s National Team receiving a significant award for Best Upset, beating out the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays, Oregon State’s victory over #1 USC and Mine That Bird’s 50-1 win at the Kentucky Derby.

It was given to the team following their shocking 2-0 defeat of Spain in the FIFA Confederations Cup semis last month. Overcoming huge odds, the U.S. were able to topple the #1 ranked team in the world, a feat that no other nation had accomplished in almost three whole calendar years.

Accepting the award for the team were players Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Charlies Davies, Sasha Kljestan, Clint Dempsey, Jonathan Spector and Jonathan Bornstein.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Donovan, who also won the ESPY for Best MLS player, accredited the monumental victory to the determination that is deep inside all of his teammates.

“Sports gives us a chance to do something special, something inspirational, something that other jobs can’t give you,” said Donovan. “I think what we learned in South Africa is it’s not an outside circumstance that makes that happen, it’s something within us and we were able to tap into that. So I think all athletes can learn from that. We also are looking forward to the day that other teams are winning awards for upsetting us.”

Unfortunately Donovan and co. couldn’t hold off Brazil in the final, despite taking a shocking 2-0 lead, but will always be remembered for their resilient performance throughout the two-week long journey on the world stage.

Shane Evans, Goal.com

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