USA vs. Brazil Confederations Cup Preview
USA lost a tough match 3-1 against Italy in the opening group game in the FIFA Confederations Cup and they play Brazil tomorrow evening in a must win game if they want to get out of the group. Brazil beat Egypt 4-3 in their opening game in a goal-fest that was a very exciting game. Even though they won Brazil, who are the tournament favorites, did not look so good, especially on defense. I mean giving up 3 goals to Egypt? Kaka scored 2 goals against Egypt, including a late penalty shot, and he has stated that Brazil will play better as the tournament progresses. They will have to against a USA team that did not play badly in their loss to Italy.
One of the leading sportsbooks has Brazil posted as major favorites in this game with a moneyline of -670 and USA is posted at +670 with a draw at +330.
Ricardo Clark was sent off with a red card for the USA, which seemed to spell their doom against a stacked Italy squad, but they headed into halftime with a 1-0 after Landon Donovan scored on a penalty late in the first half. In the second half the Italians scored 3 goals on 3 great shots, but overall the Americans played pretty solid on defense and had several chances on offense, but could not find the back of the net.
In the 13 meetings between these two teams there has, surprisingly, never been a draw, as Brazil has dominated the series winning 12 games and the lone UA win was a 1-0 victory in the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup. A key match up in this game will be between USA defender Oguchi Onyewu and Brazil striker Luis Fabiano. Fabiano scored a goal in the opening match against Egypt and he has vowed to score in the finals of this tournament. Oguchi Onyewu is a big and physical 6’3” fullback and he is the last line of defense for the Americans besides the goalie. Onyewu will have to keep a body on the smaller Fabiano and not allow him to have long runs to the goal. Brazil likes to cross the ball often in front of the opponent’s goal with their precision passing and Onyewu will have to head those crosses away and not allow the Brazilian attackers to have close shots on goal.
Even with Onyewu and a solid American defense Brazil will get their chances at USA goalie Tim Howard has to play a solid game. He played decent in the loss to Italy, as all 3 goals were not his fault. He will be tested early and often tomorrow. USA strikers Jozy Altidore and Landon Donovan will have to provide some offense and they hope the Brazil D played sloppy like they did against Egypt. The Americans play a pressuring style and that may disrupt the all-out attacking and rhythmic style of Brazil.
Interesting fact is that Brazil has never lost or even played to a draw when playing in Africa (8-0). USA has to win this game or they will not make the playoffs in the Confederations Cup.
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