We shouldn't even be here

Any fan of US soccer had to go into this match expecting the worst. Brazil is better staffed at every position except goalkeeper. They have a history of crushing us, and they play a posession game that spells death for teams who (like ours) can't reply in kind.

Still, if you are a fan of US soccer - you are hopeful. To the point of delusion. Yes, you've been burned over and over again, but there are those moments (USA v. Portugal) when you are rewarded with a result you simply have no right to ask for.

So, while every part of a US soccer fan's mind is telling them the Confederations Cup final vs. Brazil is simply the crushing defeat we've been begging the fates for - you still have this thought you can't shake:

You just never know, we just might get lucky.

And you really should have learned this lesson.

Do you see America? do you see how I crush your hopes and dreams??

Scoreline - June 28, 2009
USA: 2
Dempsey 10'; Donovan 27'
Brazil: 3
Fabiano 46', 74'; Lucio 84'

You have to hand it to the soccer gods. Looking back on this tournament - its as if they had designed it specifically to destroy US soccer fans.

Consider the bait they used:

By all rights, the US should have gone home in the group stage. In a group with Brazil and Italy and you make it out on 3 points?

Insane.

Being rewarded with a death sentence matchup with SPAIN? and then winning shutting them out 2-nil?

Beyond insane.

So now that the gods have all US soccer fans watching (yet another) no-hope matchup for their team - the gods let Brazil trail.

Early. By two goals. Now that's just sick. I know the US should lose, but c'mon I'm only human. They close out the half still leading 2-0 and I'm freaking out.

You never know... we just might-

And then the soccer gods pounce. Fabiano gets two and it's clear that the US has abandoned the midfield (again) to build fortress America right at the 18 yard box. We cannot keep possession for more than a few passes and Brazil is banging on our door like Nicholson.

Brazil should have won by two -they actually put one past Howard that he pushed out fast enough to fool the linesman - (another masterstroke by the soccer gods) but we were clearly trying to hold onto something that wasn't ours.

Yet again, the US fans are dragged against their will into hoping- and yet again they are savagely beaten. Yet again, the US media begins to pay attention to the fortunes of the national squad only in time to see them choke on an international stage.

A virtuoso performance by Brazil, but one eclipsed by the heartless bastards who rule the fortunes of international soccer.

Hook, line and sinker - they got me again.

B@stards.