Uruguay Next

The U-20 Americans now have the prime focus of not only the soccer population here in the states, but also anyone around the world watching the tournament. This is quite a long build up to a game, and you can only hope that the pressure is not starting to creep in. But why should it? They are on as high of a high as you can get from soccer…beating Brazil.

The main focus of this fixture is to not overlook the third place finish of the opponent to mistake them for being a weak team. Allot of the lead up stories to this match have covered the USA’s encounter with Argentina in this same tournament just a few short years back, where the Yanks had the upper hand but failed to close it out in the final seconds and ended up going home.

Thomas Rongen and the vets from that previous venture to the knockout stage of the Youth World Cup are sure to not let that happen again. Back than it was obviously not a good thing, but right now, blowing that lead to Argentina will help put the boys on the right path for this game.

The most telling thing about this team was a scene from right after the victory over Brazil. The young men huddled up and after a few excited words from just about everybody, I read the lips of Michael Bradley. What he said was simple, yet intense, “Four more games”.

EDIT: Sorry for the mispell, thats what I get for rushing.