U.S. Defender's Mistake Leads To Early Portugal Goal (VIDEO)

There would be no dream start for United States against Portugal.

In just the fifth minute, a poor clearance from U.S. defender Geoff Cameron gifted Portugal an early 1-0 lead in their crucial Group G clash on Sunday. After Cameron failed to handle what seemed to be a weak through pass from Miguel Veloso, the deflected ball dropped to Portugal forward Nani in front of the goal. He made no mistake, sending a drive past U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard from close range.

The nightmare start is the total opposite of the way the U.S. began against Ghana in its opening match. Less than a minute into that grudge match, U.S. striker Clint Dempsey produced a superb goal that was the fifth-fastest ever scored at the World Cup.

By surrendering an early goal to Portugal, the U.S. put itself in a position from which it has never emerged victorious at the World Cup.