USA v Brazil Preview

Three days removed from a heartbreaker against Italy, the US squad needs to straighten out, and get back to the grind. Whatever letdown still lingers, they need to let it go and get dialed in. Down to the last man off the bench, Bob Bradley's squad needs to regroup and force (at least, no problems here with a win) a tie to keep their hopes alive for a shot at a second round Confederations Cup showing. Enter Brazil. 5 time World Cup champions. Eight time Copa America winners. Kings of the Confederations Cup three times. So how is this going to play? A few thoughts.

1 - Under head coach Dunga Brazil has adopted a defensive oriented system. The free-flowing, wheeling and dealing Brazil hasn't necessarily been handcuffed offensively, but they do look different. Kaka and Robinho key the attack. Juan is a beast in the middle of the backline. Barcelona man Dani Alves gets out wide from his spot on the right and jumps into the attack regularly. Look out. Different style, different strategy, doesn't matter. This squad is still made up of ballers for real. The US needs to play mistake free soccer, and unlike the Italian match, if they have the opportunity to shoot inside the box they need to shoot inside the box.

2 - With Ricardo Clark out, what's the US starting 11 going to look like? Carlos Bocanegra may be back from a hamstring injury, so look for him in his normal spot next to Oguchi Onyewu. Boca's return gives the US another target on set pieces, and its captain, so hopefully that's an inspirational boost. The US should probably look to jam up the middle of the field and do their best to stifle Brazil from the counterattack so look for some sort of 4-5-1 arrangement. Michael Bradley, Benny Feilhaber, and Sacha Kljestan in the middle, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan out wide, and a long 60-70 minutes for Jozy Altidore as the lone target forward followed by some Charlie Davies fresh legs.

3 - Febraury 10, 1998. Kasey Keller stands on his head and guides the US to a Gold Cup victory over Brazil. Brazilian forward Romario said that was "the best performance by a goalkeeper I have ever seen" Do it Tim Howard!!!!