Olympics: U.S. Olympians crash and burn

They were already without suspended midfielders Freddy Adu and Michael Bradley, when bonehead Michael Orozco got himself sent off for throwing an elbow. And with him went the medal hopes for the United States' Olympic soccer team, as the 10-man Americans lose 2-1 to Nigeria in the final match of the group stage and crash out of the Beijing Games.

Just four minutes in and the U.S. hopes to advance took a serious blow, as Orozco was sent off by German referee Wolfgang Starg for throwing an elbow while battling for the ball. With only 10 men, the speed and aggressiveness of the Nigerian team kept the U.S. on their heels. Although the Nigerian attack often had all the finesse of a freight train, the U.S. had difficulty holding possession. If not for some solid saves by goalkeeper Brad Guzan, this match might have been over a lot sooner.

The absence of Freddy Adu was pretty glaring in the first half, as no one in the midfield or up front seemed capable of holding the ball for more than a few seconds, given the pressure put on by the Nigerians. And in the 40th minute, the locomotive finally crashed through the station, as the U.S. defense finally cracked and allowed Promise Isaac to score the match's first goal and the only goal of the first half by sliding in on a low cross from teammate Chinedu Ogbuke. With 11 shots for the Screaming Eagles to 0 for the Americans, it could have been much worse.

In the second half, U.S. coach Peter Nowak subbed in Benny Feilhaber for Jozy Altidore, removing some speed on the attack in favor of a bit more ball control. Despite the change, however, the second half progressed similarly to the first although with a handful of chances for the U.S. from set pieces and the occasional counter attack. But the man advantage for Nigeria made sustained possession by the U.S. extremely difficult.

Nowak made another subsitution in the 69th minute, as Dax McCarty entered the match for a winded Danny Szetela, but it was looking pretty bleak for the Americans. With news that the Dutch converted a PK against Japan, an equalizer seemed too much to ask for. In 77th minute, Nowak made his final substitution bringing on forward Charlie Davies for Stuart Holden. But it wouldn't matter as Nigerian Victor Obinna dashed the American's hopes in the 80th minute with their second goal.

The U.S. spirits were lifted momentarily when Maurice Edu earned a penalty kick for the U.S. in the 88th minute and Sascha Kljestan converted the spot-kick to put the U.S. within reach with just over three minutes to go. A minute later substitute Davies hit the crossbar, but the soccer gods weren't with the U.S. on this day.

Some fans switched over to the Netherlands v. Japan, hoping for a late equalizer in that match that would save the U.S., but it never materialized and the U.S. is coming home after a very disappointing end to a promising start.

I should have stayed in bed.

TYH's Patriot of the Pitch©: Brad Guzan

MATCH REPORT

TEAM	1st half	2nd half	Final
USA	0	1	1
NIG	1	1	2

Scoring:
NIG – Isaac (Ogbuke) 40.
NIG - Obinna (Ajilore) 80.
USA - Kljestan (PK) 88.

Lineups:
USA: 18-Brad Guzan; 2-Marvell Wynne, 6-Maurice Edu, 15-Michael Parkhurst, 3-Michael Orozco; 14-Robbie Rogers, 7-Stuart Holden (9-Charlie Davies, 77), 16-Sacha Kljestan, 8-Danny Szetela (5-Dax McCarty, 69); 17-Brian McBride, 12-Jozy Altidore (10-Benny Feilhaber, 46)

NIG: 1-Ambruse Vanzekin; 2-Chibuzor Okonkwo, 5-Dele Adeleye, 15-Efe Ambrose; 6-Monday James, 8-Sani Kaita, 10-Promise Isaac (capt.) (16-Victor Anichebe, 72), 12-Ebenezer Ajilore (17-Emmanuel Ekpo, 85); 7-Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, 9-Victor Obinna, 11-Solomon Okoronkwo (14-Peter Odemwingie, 68)

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Orozco (ejection) 4.
USA – Feilhaber (caution) 60.
NGA - Vanzekin (caution) 87. 

STATS	USA	NIG
Shots	8	20
Shots(OG)	4	5
Saves	4	2
Corners	3	5
Fouls	7	11
Offside	0	1