Column as I see ’em:

So maybe the U. S. went into a shell after building a 2-0 lead. Some of coach Bob Bradley’s substitutions are open to debate. But in the end, the American soccer team lost the final of the Confederations Cup on Sunday because Brazil was the better team.

The Brazilians were a sight to behold in the second half. If the U. S. became a tad defensive, it was because a superior foe was dominating possession and had them on its heels. It was amazing how many quality chances Brazil had in the final. If not for goalkeeper Tim Howard, the U. S. could have been blown out.

Still, it was a fine moment for U. S. soccer. If the Confederations Cup was second-rate, you wouldn’t know it by watching the exuberant Brazilians, or the U. S. players who were sobbing after their country’s finest performance in a FIFA senior tourney.

The U. S. will benefit from this. It’s almost sure to qualify for the World Cup next year in South Africa (site of the Confederations Cup). They know they can compete with the world’s traditional powers. If Howard plays this way, there’s no telling how far they can go. The downside, of course, is that no one is likely to take them lightly again.

Critics have been tough on Don Fehr, who recently announced that he will be stepping down as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association at the end of the season. They contend that Fehr will be remembered for turning a blind eye to rampant steroid use.

Fehr isn’t blameless on steroids, but as a union leader his main duty was to represent the financial interests of the players. The average big-league salary was $289,000 when Fehr took over for Marvin Miller in 1983. It’s now $3.2 million. Fehr never gave in on a salary cap. Still, the sport maintains competitive balance. As of Monday, 23 of 30 teams were within five games of the playoffs.

The Sabres went for big, tough kids in the draft. We’ll find out in a few years if they can actually play. But what has Darcy Regier done to win right now? Management hasn’t made the sort of moves that jolt a team and let players know that missing the playoffs two straight years isn’t good enough.

Speaking of management being slow, the Cavaliers waited too long to bring in a viable big man. I’m not sure Shaquille O’Neal is the answer, either. O’Neal will be 38 in March. The Cavs need to do more to bolster LeBron James’ supporting cast. James’ future in Cleveland could be at stake.

Tim Wakefield is 10-3 for the Red Sox, who have the best record in the American League. The 42-year-old knuckleballer has been a mainstay of the Boston staff for years, the sort of reliable starter every team could use. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Rays’ Joe Maddon picked Wakefield for the AL All-Star team?

The Senators aren’t finding any takers for disgruntled Dany Heatley, who wants a trade and has five years left on his contract at an average of $7.5 million a year. Heatley is due a $4 million bonus July 1, which complicates matters.

Kenny Perry, 48, shot 22 under par at Hartford for his 11th PGA win since turning 40. It makes you wonder what kind of force Tiger Woods will be if his knee holds up and his competitive fires are still burning a decade from now.

What? Lou Piniella sent Milton Bradley home because he threw his helmet and assaulted a water cooler? Imagine if Bradley had ripped out a base and threw it toward an umpire, the way Piniella did in his younger days.

Venus Williams is going strong at 29, gunning for a third straight Wimbledon and an eighth individual Grand Slam. Sister Serena has 10.

Yankees Joe Girardi has taken heat for sticking with pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, but he’s doing the right thing.

Jerry Sullivan chats live at 1 p. m. Wednesday at the Sully on Sports blog at

www.buffalonews.com