BRAZIL ROUTS THE UNITED STATES IN CONFEDERATIONS CUP SOCCER

In what they hope isn’t a preview of next year’s World Cup tournament, the United States soccer team was routed by Brazil 3-0 early Thursday in the opening round of the Confederations Cup in South Africa.  It was the second straight dismal setback for the US footballers, having lost to Italy 3-1 on Monday.  The Americans are now facing an uphill battle to advance, needing Egypt to beat Italy later in the day and winning against the Egyptians on Saturday.

Felipe Melo put the Brazilians ahead quickly with his goal in the 7^th minute, and they stretched that lead to 2-0 on Robinho’s score in the 20^th minute.  The second goal was off a counterattack that began when the US botched a corner kick and were caught napping on the defensive end.  Maicon added a third goal in the 62^nd minute to complete the clean sheet rout.  The Brazilians held a 14-5 shots on goal advantage for the game.

Brazil was clearly expected to win, and rewarded bettors’ who backed them as a -300 favorite.  Takeback on the US was priced at +700, with a +325 price that the game would end in a draw.  The 3 goals went OVER the posted total of 2’OV -165.  To have any hope of advancing to the elimination rounds, the US will need Egypt to knock off the favored Italian team—Italy is a -181 choice there, with +425 takeback on Egypt.  A draw in that contest—priced at +250—will also eliminate the American side. 

Afterwards, US coach Bob Bradley sounded more like a bewildered spectator than the team’s leader:

"Tentative start, goal on the set piece. Just an awfully difficult way to start vs. Brazil."

The United States had to play the last third of the game with only 10 men, as Sacha Kljestan was ejected in the 57^th minute after a hard foul on Ramires that brought out the red card from Swiss referee Massimo Busacca.  It was the second straight game in which the Americans finished a man down.

Brazil is already through to the semifinal rounds by virtue of this win, having opened play with a 4-3 win over Egypt.  They’ll face Italy on Saturday knowing that they’ll advance to elimination rounds regardless of the outcome.