US Misses Golden Chance in FIFA Confederations Cup

The US men's national team suffered a blow in its hopes to advance to the FIFA Confederations Cup on Monday, falling to Italy 3-1.

Ricardo Clark was sent off in a horrible referee decision for a mis-timed tackle on Genaro Gattuso. The United States team would have to play nearly 60 minutes with 10 men.

However, just six minutes later, Jozy Altidore was brought down inside the Italian penalty box. Landon Donovan converted the penalty and the US took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

At that point, it was more of "when" not "if" the Italians would find an equalizer. They found it through American-born Giuseppe Rossi, who hit a left-footed rocket past a fully stretched Tim Howard.

13 minutes later, Daniele De Rossi scored Italy's second on a low right footed blast. Rossi would net again in extra time to send the Americans to the bottom of the Group B table.

The United States was unfortunate to go down a man. The decision from the referee was deplorable. It more than likely had many fans remembering a similar situation from when the two teams met in the 2006 World Cup group stage.

With Brazil awaiting the United States on Thursday, the likelihood of the United States advancing to the semi-finals is bleak to say the least.

For the most part the US performed well, but as always, they lacked any kind of real shape going forward. Had it not been for some fantastic effort on the part of Oguchi Onyewu, Italy may have scored a few more.

The fact that Giuseppe Rossi plays for Italy instead of his native land should be revealing enough on where US Soccer sits in the world soccer community.

With the exception of a great run in the 2002 World Cup, the US men's national team has failed on multiple occasions to beat good teams on large stages.

It must be said that the 2002 World Cup team was filled with season veterans such as Brian McBride and Kasey Keller. It must be said however, that this team has had little time to gel as they haven't played together long enough to be accurately judged.

One thing is for sure, the United States will have to beat both Brazil and Egypt to have any chance of advancing to the semifinals.