WRONG TIME, PLACE U.S. FOILED AT TOURNAMENT IN FRANCE AGAIN BRAZIL 1, U.S. 0.

Byline: Paul Oberjuerge Staff Writer

LYON, France - The next time the U.S. is invited to play an international soccer tournament in France, expect it to decline a chance to play in Lyon on June 21.

On June 21, 1998, the U.S. lost to Iran and was eliminated from contention after two matches in the World Cup.

On June 21, 2003, the U.S. lost 1-0 to Brazil and was eliminated from contention after two matches in the Confederations Cup.

Same date, same stadium, same unfriendly crowd, same melancholy result.

Adriano scored in the 22nd minute after a giveaway by U.S. defender Gregg Berhalter in front of his own goal, and Brazil fended off the overmatched Americans in front of 20,306 at Stade Gerland.

``We let ourselves down against Turkey (in a 2-1 loss), but we played with a lot more aggression against Brazil,'' U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley said. ``But they got what they needed, and we didn't.''

Which was a victory; each team lost its Cup opener.

At 0-2, the U.S. cannot finish in the top two in Group B and advance to Thursday's semifinals. Cameroon (2-0), a 1-0 winner over Turkey on Saturday, has clinched a Group B berth. Turkey (1-1) and Brazil (1-1) play for the second berth Monday, while the U.S. has a meaningless match with Cameroon.

``We knew we needed a point in this game, and obviously we wanted to get three, and our plan worked well until we made a mistake in front of the goal,'' U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. ``I don't worry about the wins right now. Our objective is to prepare a new team for (World Cup) qualifying next year. When you have the opportunity to play the likes of Turkey, Brazil and Cameroon, it can only benefit your players.''

Brazil clearly was the better team, particularly in the first half, when the four-time World Cup champions dominated play with their speed, skill and creativity. They were missing luminaries such as Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos, but they certainly had enough firepower and star power in Ronaldinho, Emerson, Ricardinho, Lucio and Dida.

Still, Brazil needed a gaffe by Berhalter, the unassuming central defender, to score.

The U.S. had just won the ball in its own end, and Berhalter was playing it about 10 yards outside the box. He considered passing it to another defender, but Adriano, a burly Brazilian forward of the Ronaldo ilk, closed quickly on him, and Berhalter decided to try a backpass to goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Adriano won the ball, instead. He unleashed a shot at Howard, who came off his line and blocked it. But the ball bounced right back to Adriano - who volleyed it into the empty net.

``It was a terrible mistake,'' Berhalter said. ``A terrible mistake. Against Brazil, Argentina, Germany, any team like that, to make a mistake like that is disastrous.''

The U.S. had precious few chances to score; the Americans were credited with only one shot on goal, a ball struck by Redlands native Landon Donovan from a steep angle that keeper Dida dove at and deflected in the 60th minute.

``I just tried to get it on frame,'' Donovan said. ``It wasn't too dangerous, but it had a chance.''

Donovan was involved in a critical nonplay, going down in the box after contact with a Brazilian defender in the final minute of the first half. What could have been a penalty kick went uncalled by Portuguese referee Lucilio Cardoso Batista.

After rarely stringing together two passes in the first 45 minutes,the Americans at least held it occasionally in the second half, when Brazil turned more cautious.

``We were better at keeping the ball and moving the ball and getting chances,'' Donovan said. ``We need that for 90 minutes, not for five or 10 minutes at a time.''

Arena noted the U.S. started a very young team, including seven players who sat out the Turkey match only two days before. Donovan, Beasley and Berhalter were the only field players to go 90 minutes twice in 54 hours.

``I don't think this tournament was so much about results, as much as Bruce wanted us to play well,'' Donovan said. ``That's why it was disappointing against Turkey because we didn't play well. Today, we played better and it didn't go our way ...

``At the end of the day, who cares if you win the Confederations Cup? We want to win the World Cup.''

Paul Oberjuerge, [phone]

paul.oberjuerge(at)sbsun.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Clint Mathis (11) battles Brazil's Juan for a high ball during the U.S. national team's loss at the Confederations Cup.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press