Bradley hails improving USA

USA coach Bob Bradley saw his side throw away a two-goal lead over Brazil in last night’s Confederations Cup final – but then warned the world that his men are becoming genuine contenders on the global stage.

The South Americans were in all sorts of trouble less than half an hour into the final at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park thanks to goals from Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, and went into half-time trailing 2-0.