Tuesday, July 01, 2014

USMNT takes on Belgium in Round of 16

Salvador, Brazil - The U.S. advanced to the Round of 16 in consecutive FIFA World Cups for the first time in its history and will play Belgium on Tuesday, July 1, at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, for a spot in the quarterfinals. 

The U.S. finished in second place in Group G with four points and ahead of Portugal in goal differential by three goals. Germany won Group G with seven points. Belgium took first place in Group H with nine points, beating Algeria (which advanced to the Round of 16 but fell 2-1 to Germany on Monday), Russia and Korea to sweep the group.

After a dramatic 2-1 victory against Ghana and a roller coaster 2-2 draw with Portugal to open the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the USA finished Group G play with a 1-0 loss to Germany, tying Portugal with four points in the group. The U.S. advanced, holding a goal differential of zero to Portugal's minus-3 goal differential. In the final game of group stage, Germany broke through with a goal in the 55th minute by Thomas Muller after a scoreless first half. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard stopped a header by Per Mertesacker and the rebound trickled to the top of the box to Muller, whose shot inside the right post was just beyond the reach reach of a diving Howard. The U.S. would threaten but failed to score, as the 1-0 Germany lead would stand for the final count.

Jozy Altidore, who left the USA's opening game against Ghana with a hamstring injury, has been in training with the U.S. and has been deemed available for the Belgium match. Jermaine Jones collided with Alejandro Bedoya during the game against Germany and both are cleared to play. Clint Dempsey (nose) and defender Matt Besler (hamstring) have recovered from their respective injuries and will be available for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

U.S. Men's National Team By Position - Detailed Roster
 

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
 

DEFENDERS (8): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
 

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
 

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

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