It’s a nice feeling to say that the U.S. has a good chance against Brazil Friday night. And yes, we are talking about soccer — a World Cup, in fact. Following the U-20 national team’s 6-1 drubbing of Poland in Group D on Tuesday, the U.S. has suddenly become something of a dark horse to lift the U-20 World Cup trophy in Canada. That Polish team, by the way, beat Brazil, 1-0, turning Friday’s match into a must-win for the Canarinhos.
In fact, so important is Friday’s match, that ESPN saw fit to bump the re-broadcast of Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest in favor of the U-20s’ big game, which is also broadcast on ESPNU (7:45 PM EST). The stakes are high: the Americans are top of Group D with four points and a goal-differential of plus-five. Brazil is second with four points and an even goal-differential while the Poles also have three points but their goal differential is minus-four. South Korea is last with one point and a minus-one goal difference. Each of these teams can still qualify, though the U.S., with its superior goal-differential, is in the best position no matter what happens; it should at least qualify for the second round as one of the best third-place teams even if it loses to Brazil.
“This is a very difficult group,” USA coach Thomas Rongen said. “It’s always a nice challenge to face the country who produce the best teams in the world.” Brazilian coach Nelson Rodrigues said the Yanks are “both technically gifted and athletic. It isn’t going to be any easier than our previous two games, that’s for sure. It will be a physical test and we’ll need to be ready for it.”