[2009 CONFEDERATIONS CUP] The USA received no favors when it was drawn with reigning World Cup champion Italy, South American champion Brazil and African champion Egypt in Group B the 2009 Confederations Cup June 14-28 in South Africa. Euro '08 champion Spain's opposition in Group A will be Iraq, New Zealand and South Africa.

The Americans open against Italy on June 15 at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane/Pretoria, and then face Brazil on June 18 in the same venue. They finish group play on June 21 against Egypt at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

The USA-Italy game is a repeat of their first-round game at the 2006 World Cup, where they played to a 1-1 tie in Kaiserslautern. The Americans fell to Brazil, 1-0, at the 1999 and 2003 Confederations Cups. The USA and Egypt have met only once before. The Pharaohs won, 3-1, at an international tournament in 1987 in South Korea.

2009 Confederations Cup Schedule
Group B
June 15 in Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Brazil-Egypt
June 15 in Tshwane/Pretoria
USA-Italy
June 18 in Tshwane/Pretoria
USA-Brazil
June 18 in Johannesburg
Egypt-Italy
June 21 in Tshwane/Pretoria
Italy-Brazil
June 21 in Rustenburg
Egypt-USA