can i connect my older iPod to my newer mac using USB

I have a second generation iPod that decorates my truck. i use it only in the truck to play music. in the last 6 months, i have had to replace both my desktop and my laptops. the newer firewire ports are the smaller ones. the dock that came with my iPod is firewire.

i tried to plug into my macs using a USB cable but it doesn't work. the iPod will not charge, mount as a drive or connect to iTunes.

is this iPod only connectable via firwire 400?