Americans Fall Short, 1-0 U.S. Team’s Two-Week Stroll Through America Cup Ends With Loss To Brazil

The United States’ great soccer adventure ended Thursday night.

Facing the world’s best team, the Americans lost 1-0 to Brazil in the semifinals of the America Cup, a showcase event in which the U.S. played for two weeks as if it belonged in such elite company.

“We have closed the gap between the United States and Brazil,” U.S. coach Steve Sampson declared. “We went forward and played attacking soccer, where a year ago we were defending most of the game, hoping to get to penalty kicks.”

Brazil, a four-time World Cup champion, scored in the 13th minute on a header by Aldair and will play Uruguay on Sunday in the finals of the South American championships.

The Brazilians extended their unbeaten streak to 25 games, their last loss coming to Germany in 1993. They limited the U.S. to two good scoring chances, both by defender Alexi Lalas.

The Americans, eliminated by Brazil 1-0 in the second round of last summer’s World Cup, were playing in the semifinals of a major international tournament for the first time since 1930’s World Cup.

“We’re upset, really upset,” U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel said. “We felt we had a chance. You feel sick to your stomach coming off the field. England played this same team (this summer) in Wembley and lost 3-1. We lost here 1-0. That tells you everything.”

The U.S. will play Colombia for third place on Saturday in Maldonado. The teams played to a scoreless tie last month.

Thursday’s game, coming in the height of the Southern Hemisphere winter, was often played at a walking pace in the first 10 minutes, with Brazil twice coming close to scoring. Winger Roberto Carlos sent a 20-yard shot go just wide and Zinho later shaved the left post from outside the box.