Speaking after his team's 3-0 loss to Brazil in the Confederation's Cup, US and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was more than realistic when it came to facing the South American giants of football. "It was a very tough night for us. As you can imagine, I'm disappointed." Howard aid after the game. "They are always going to be the better team. For us, it was about trying to come out and give a good showing of ourselves. The best team doesn't always win. Today it did. We were going into tonight with a positive attitude, trying to lick our wounds and pick ourselves up from the Italy game. I think we were overpowered. Sometimes you come up against Goliath, and David doesn't win. That's just the simple facts.

"They are fantastic. When they are firing on all cylinders, as I think they were, it might be special to watch, but it's a bugger to play against. They cause so many problems."