ROMANIA SHUTS DOWN AMERICA U.S. LOSES, BUT LIKELY TO ADVANCE.(SPORTS)

Byline: RONALD BLUM Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. The Americans look like they'll get their shot at Brazil or Germany. It simply will come two weeks early.

Instead of taking the easy route, the U.S. soccer team will go down the most difficult path after a 1-0 loss to Romania at the Rose Bowl on Sunday. The Americans wasted a chance to clinch World Cup advancement for the first time in 64 years but took solace that only an unusual series of results would prevent them from going to the second round.

``We wanted to play a team like Brazil or Germany,'' U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola said, ``but wanted it to be in the semifinal.''

The most likely scenario is the Americans (1-1-1) will clinch advancement Tuesday or Wednesday as other groups finish and play Brazil at …