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It's a beautiful day in #Salvador! The weather forecast for #USAvBEL. #AreYouReady pic.twitter.com/6s3woaGAwK
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) July 1, 2014
#USMNT lineup for #USAvBEL: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Cameron, Bradley, Jones; Zusi, Dempsey (c), Bedoya #AreYouReady
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) July 1, 2014
LA Galaxy designated player defender Omar Gonzalez played well enough to retain his starting position for a second straight match, with the United States now in the octofinals of the tournament facing Belgium. The winner of the match will go on to face Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Kickoff is at 1:00pm Pacific on ESPN. The LA Galaxy are hosting a watch party on the Redondo Beach pier, so if you can get a long lunch break get thee down there to celebrate.
The US are going with an attacking 4-3-3, with Clint Dempsey supported by Graham Zusi and Bedoya as wingers. Michael Bradley won't have to try and cover the entire pitch as much, he can play a holding role in the middle while Jermaine Jones and Geoff Cameron get forward. Cameron starting in the midfield is what frees up Omar Gonzalez to start again, with Fabian Johnson now playing right back.
Big changes ahead go a big match. Let's see if they pay off for the United States.