Asked at a news conference with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema about Saturday's match between Italy and the United States, Rice tried to play the good diplomat.

"I learned a long time ago not to hold strong opinions or predictions about something about which I have so little expertise, as soccer, or European football," she told reporters.

But the top US diplomat, an avid fan of American football, could not resist a comment on her country's lacklustre performance in their 3-0 loss Monday to the Czech Republic in a Group E opener.

"Obviously, I would like to see the United States do well," she said. "But even I, a pure novice in watching soccer, knows that they will have to play a lot better than they did."