U.S. Soccer Squad in FIFA Confederations Cup Match

Brazil breezes past gave the U.S. National Team a lesson in international online soccer in its FIFA Confederations Cup match Thursday.

The Brazilians dominated the match from start to finish as Felipe Melo, Robinho and Maicon connected for brilliant goals in a 3-0 victory over the outclassed Americans at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.


The U.S. (0-2-0) needed at least a tie to keep its slim hopes of reaching the semifinals alive. Brazil improved to 2-0-0 with a highly anticipated meeting with Italy on Sunday.

For the second consecutive match, the U.S. had a central midfielder red-carded as Sacha Kljestan was given his marching orders in the 56th minute on a reckless tackle on Ramires. Ricardo Clark was dismissed from the Americans' 3-1 loss to Italy on Monday.

There was little question as to which team was the superior side from the opening whistle as the game quickly became a showcase of the Brazilians' speed, technique and flair.

The Americans, who made more than their share of unforced errors, barely could retain possession of the ball in the early going and Brazil took advantage after midfielder Michael Bradley fouled Ramires 27 yards out on the right side. Right fullback Maicon sent in a perfect ball into the penalty area as Melo beat his man, Jonathan Spector, and headed a point-blank shot past goalkeeper Tim Howard in the seventh minute.

A devastating error on a U.S. corner kick led to Brazil's second goal. Landon Donovan took a short corner with a pass to DaMarcus Beasley. Beasley, however, allowed the ball to go off his foot and the Brazilians quickly cleared the ball. Kaka sprung Ramires, who raced down the field on a 2-on-1 break with the U.S. team chasing. Ramires fed Robinho, who converted from 12 yards past a defenseless Howard.

The halftime margin could have been as much as four or five goals had the Brazilians not misfired on many of their attempts and Howard's solid goalkeeping.

The Brazilians added a third goal in the 62nd minute as Maicon ran onto a short pass from Kaka on the right side of the penalty area and fired a shot into the roof of the net.

The Americans' best opportunities came in the waning minutes with shots off the crossbar - by second-half subs Benny Feilhaber (83rd minute) and Conor Casey (89th minute).

The U.S. will play Egypt in its final group match in Rustenburg on Sunday.