Just about 90 minutes until kickoff, and while there's not much new on the USMNT front, there does seem to be some fallout over Egypt's performance against Brazil this morning.

I'm one of those that believed that Egypt represented that best chance for a US victory in the Confederations Cup, all the while being wary of what is a very good team. Egypt is not the African champions for nothing, and they proved it today against one of the world's best. Perhaps it was an off night for Brazil, or perhaps Egypt is better than even those of us who did not discount them may have believed.

But should Egypt's rousing 4-3 loss to the South American giants really change our perspective on the potential of an American victory in the final Group B match? Maybe. Egypt looks to be deeper than some thought, and missing Zaki and Mido doesn't seem to have effected their ability to score; that's bad news for the Americans, who's defensive liabilities are well documented.

But let's get back to today's gargantuan task. A morning and early afternoon of tracking the feelings of some of the blogger community (via Twitter), leaves me just a tad depressed. The bottom line remains that an American victory today is so unlikely that it's difficult to ramp up the excitement I would normally feel only hours before a big game. Italy is world class, the US is not. Italy has recognizable and accomplished names at almost every position on the field, the US squad is still full of players who struggle to get playing times at their clubs. On paper, we have no shot.

The cliche goes that the game isn't played on paper. Therein lies just about the only bit of hope I have. If the Americans can play a perfect game, limit mistakes, and catch a break or two on set pieces, they have a chance to get points out of the match. Otherwise, we're staring down the barrel at a convincing defeat, and although there is not shame in that (Italy are the defending World Cup champions, after all), it's just a depressing idea.

I'm working on it, I really am. I may not be optimistic, and I usually despise the "realist" attitude when it comes to rooting on my teams, but it's hard not to be excited, even just a little, about the USA playing Italy in the Confederations Cup.

Just a little over an hour until kickoff now. Come on boys, do us proud.