So much for a surprising berth in the quarterfinals.
The United States' strong start in group play was nullified by a red card issued to Michael Orozco in the early minutes of this morning's game against Nigeria. (There is some serious questioning by the stats people whether the card was issued in the third or fourth minute.)
But either way, the United States had to play with 10 men for the bulk of the game.
Despite an exciting four minutes in stoppage time where the United States had some chances to tie the game, Nigeria wins 2-1 and advances to the quarterfinals.
The Netherlands beat Japan in the other game in Group B, so this ends the United States road in the Olympics.
Check back later for a final wrap up and thoughts about Team USA's showing in the Olympics.
Nigeria's goalie comes out of the net, fouls Maurice Edu in the box and earns a yellow card.
Sacha Kljestan scores the ensuing penalty kick.
Score 2-1 Nigeria.
Nigeria nets its second goal in 80th minute. That puts the United States down two goals with not much time left.
You can see the fatigue in the faces of the U.S. men.
Things look rather bleak now. Scoring two goals in 10 minutes will be tough, but if Japan can manage to tie the game with the Netherlands, the United States could still advance.
It's just been announced that the Netherlands scored its first goal against Japan. This means the United States need to score if the team hopes to advance to the quarterfinals.
Danny Szetela earned a yellow card for arguing with the referee over a no call in the 6oth minute.
The score still remains 1-0 in Nigeria's favor.
The United States was lucky to escape a late goal chance in stoppage time. Another save by goalie Brad Guzan kept the team in the game.
During halftime the United States will most likely have to make some changes to help close some of the gaps in the defense.
Nigeria takes a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute after relentlessly attacking the weakened U.S. defense.
Nigeria had looks through out the half and finally just wore down the defenders slipping a ball into the net off a cross from the right side.
Team USA needs to lock down here for the remaining five minutes of the half. They can't afford to give up another goal before the half.
Bad news for Team USA. Michael Orozco just drew a red card in the fourth minute for throwing an elbow.
They will now play the reminder of the 90 minutes a man down.
That's not what the United States was looking to do if the team wants any hope of advancing to the finals.
Good morning York, we're here with another insanely early U.S. men's soccer game.
It's about to get under way.
If you've been following along, you know how important this game against Nigeria is.
Check back often for updates.
That's pretty much what the guys on the U.S. soccer team tell us in this video.
There's no embed link so you've got to go straight to the site to watch it. It's called "Mo checks in from China."
If you want another great U.S. soccer video check out the guys modeling the outfits Team USA wore in the opening ceremonies. Video called "MNT at the Opening Ceremonies."
Apologies for the delayed recap from yesterday's men's soccer game. I was away this weekend and didn't have access to a computer anywhere near the TV where I was watching the game.
If you didn't catch the action live you missed a great, but disappointing game.
Team USA led 2-1 with about 20 seconds remaining in stoppage time when the Netherlands earned a free kick off a Stuart Holden yellow card right outside the box and pushed the ball under the wall past diving goalie Brad Guzan to tie the game.
It may not have been the cleanest game ever played, but Team USA was able to pull out a 1-0 victory over Japan its first game in group play.
The lone goal came in the 47th minute off Stuart Holden's foot.
Fina Score: USA - 1 Japan - 0
The United States earned three important points in Group B play, which will be important as they look to take on the Netherlands and Nigeria.
Check back later this morning for a look at what the United States did well and where they could still improve as they move forward.
Goalie Brad Guzan takes a yellow card in the 89th minute for wasting time.
There's about four minutes of stoppage time left and the United States is holding on to a 1-0 lead.
With about 15 minutes left in the second half we're seeing some substitutions and more cards being issued.
The United States subbed Jozy Altidore for Brian McBride in the 74th minute and Benny Feilhaber for Stuart Holden in the 82nd. In the 87th minute, It was Danny Szetela for Robbie Rogers.
Japan's first sub came in the 64th minute Tadanari Lee for Yohei Kajiyama. In the 73rd minute, Yohei Toyoda for Takayuki Morimoto and in the 84th it was Shinji Okazaki for Shinji Kagawa.
Japan was also issued two yellow cards tying the number the United States earned.
The second half continues to show a lot of back and forth action between the two teams.
Japan's corner in the 61st minute is headed out high over the net.
USA is granted a free kick just outside the box in the 63rd minute but it is knocked away by the goalie.
Michael Bradley is issued a yellow card on a very questionable call in the 65th. That makes two yellow cards for the United States and none for Japan.
Only a few seconds later, Japan has a a shot to tie the game. The ball is knocked away by Maurice Edu at the last minute.
Freddy Adu earns the first card of the game in the 52nd minute. He was issued a yellow for taking down a Japanese player.
Stuart Holden scores the game's first goal for the United States in the 47th minute. The ball deflected off a Japanese defender and found Holden's foot.
A diving Japanese goalie slowed the ball down, but it dribbled over the line into the net.
Score USA 1, Japan 0
The United States is lucky to escape the first half with the game still tied 0-0.
Japan attacked the goal relentlessly, and if the finishing touches hadn't been just wide of the net, Japan would have an easy 2-0 lead.
