by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

Despite the disappointment over dropping the final, U.S. defender Jonathan Spector says the team got great benefit from their Confederations Cup experience.

After stumbling at the start, the 'Nats made a great group escape and knocked off world #1 Spain before blowing a two-goal halftime lead against tourney champs Brazil.

"I think the Confederations Cup was a great way to prepare and get a feel for the way the World Cup in South Africa will unfold," Spector told Soccer365. "The format for the Confederations Cup is the same as the World Cup, and we will know what to expect once we return to South Africa in 2010."

"I think we also proved that we can not only compete, but beat some of the best teams in the world.  We just need to win more consistently against some of the top teams."

Though losing a championship match to the Samba Kings puts them in crowded company, Spector and his teammates were downhearted after allowing a fatal trio of second half goals.

"I must say that I was disappointed not to beat Brazil in the final," he admitted. "I felt the team worked extremely hard, and I know that we put everything we had into the game."

"The positive we can take away from this is that we know what it's like to be in a major final and will have an added drive and determination to win in the future."

Though coming off an injury-abbreviated season with West Ham United, Spector says he physically came through the grueling Confederations Cup schedule with flying colors.

"All things considered I felt great during the tournament, especially since this is the first time I've had such a hectic schedule after coming off of my hip injury," he stated. "This was also good in terms of preparation for the World Cup."

In addition, Spector believes he got a June jump on his Irons teammates for the position battles of preseason camp.

"Although I'll have had less rest than most of my teammates at West Ham, I'll be going into preseason fully fit, which is a significant benefit," offered the Illinois native.

Spector and West Ham open the new Premiership season with an August 15th trip to promoted Wolverhampton.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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