Bleacher Report - International Football

Italy vs. Japan Confederations Cup Live Blog: Azzurri take on Blue Samurai

Christopher Impiglia — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:45:01 -0400

Italy will be looking for another convincing win when they take on World Cup hopefuls Japan in Group A of the Confederations Cup. The Blue Samurai, meanwhile, will be hoping to bounce back from the tough 0-3 loss to Brazil in their first match. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. ET, with coverage starting at 5:45 p.m. ET.

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10 European Under-21 Stars in the Making

Dan Sheridan — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:16:25 -0400

While Spain proceeded to dominate the recent European Under-21 Championships, beating Italy 4-2 to lift the trophy for a fourth time, a wealth of talent from across the continent was on show.

Headlines were grabbed by well-established stars such as Barcelona’s Thiago Alcantara - a hat-trick hero in the final - and Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

But beyond the well-known names and faces, a host of young players from a range of nations caught the eye and reminded the watching world what they’re capable of.

Here we take a look at ten such stars in the making, who will be looking to grab the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs and become household names themselves over the coming seasons.

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Spain vs. Tahiti: Confederations Cup Live Score, Highlights, Recap

Karl Matchett — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:34:30 -0400

FIFA Confederations Cup live coverage

Spain vs. Tahiti

Kickoff Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. UK / 3 p.m. EDT

Hello and welcome back folks to another round of live football coverage here on Bleacher Report, as we continue our action from the FIFA Confederations Cup. This game has the potential to be the highest scoring game of the tournament, as heavy favourites Spain take on heavy outsiders Tahiti.

Spain won their opening game 2-1 against Uruguay after an extremely impressive performance, while Tahiti were beaten 6-1 by an unconvincing Nigeria outfit.

The historical moment of scoring their first goal at an official FIFA tournament finals will live long in the memory for Tahiti and their players, but Spain have their eyes on yet more silverware to go with the Under-21 European Championships their youngsters won this week.

It promises to be an entertaining match one way or the other, so make sure you join me from around an hour before kickoff for all the team news, buildup and in-game action.

Meanwhile, here's all the best reading for your to enjoy:

Power Ranking Confed Teams After One Game Each

Most Intriguing Storylines of Spain vs. Tahiti

Projections for Every Confed Cup Side

Predicting Which Teams Will Progress

Teams Who'll Disappoint at the Confederations Cup

Follow @karlmatchett

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Brazil vs. Mexico: Players Each Team Must Focus Their Attention On

Justin Onslow — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:30:00 -0400

If Mexico hopes to right the ship in international competition, it’ll have to start with a potential elimination match against hosts Brazil in the Confederations Cup.

The two sides are slated to meet Wednesday, and for Mexico, a loss would likely mean an early exit from the tournament after falling 2-1 to Italy on Sunday. Brazil, on the other hand, can take a commanding lead of Group A with a win after dismantling Japan 3-0 in the tournament’s opening match.

A lot will be on the line when the two squads square off. Let’s take a look at two players from each side who will force their opponents to pay them a little extra attention or risk losing a critical Confederations Cup clash.

Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez: Mexico

Mexico has played horridly of late, both in the Confederations Cup and in World Cup qualifying action. The Mexican side has struggled in the final third, and many have blamed forward Chicharito for that fact.

In reality, Chicharito has played fairly well in recent matches, especially against Italy in his side’s 2-1 loss on Sunday, netting Mexico’s only goal.

Granted, lack of production is often blamed on a team’s best striker, but that isn’t necessarily accurate in this case. If Brazil writes off Chicharito and fails to defend against him in their defensive third, this match could get out of hand rather quickly.

Chicharito has the talent to break open any match. What he needs is a little help from his teammates, especially at the midfield. El Tri can’t afford to limit their time of possession against a tremendous Brazilian side and risk not giving Chicharito enough opportunities to score.

Neymar: Brazil

Arguably the biggest star in the tournament, Neymar proved he’s worth the hype with a terrific performance against Japan in the opening contest. The striker didn’t waste any time in that match, netting his side’s first goal in the first few minutes of play on a beautiful strike from outside the penalty area.

There’s no question who Brazil’s most explosive attacker is. With Neymar on the pitch, Mexico won’t be able to afford special attention to anyone else.

If Neymar has an opportunity to net an early goal in this contest, it won’t be easy for Mexico to match. Playing from behind against a team as capable as Brazil only leads to added pressure and fewer quality chances.

Javier Aquino: Mexico

Chicharito is Mexico’s best attacker, but much of his success stems from a coordinated attack and extra help from his wingers. When Mexico’s attack is working as a unit, everything opens up for the forward.

Javier Aquino will be a critical component to that coordinated attack. Against Italy, the right winger struggled to get much of anything going, and as a result, Chicharito saw fewer touches than he should have.

Aqunio has the ability to beat Brazil’s Marcelo on the attack, but that shouldn’t be his focus in this match. All the winger has to do is be disruptive enough to create more opportunities for Chicharito.

Of course, a goal from Aquino wouldn’t hurt.

Shutting down Mexico’s attack has to be a team effort. If the Selecao lets the opposition attack develop by not keeping tabs on Chicharito and Aquino, they may find themselves slipping back down the Group A tables when all is said and done.

Oscar: Brazil

Neymar has more natural talent than Oscar, but the latter may be a better fit as the team’s central attacker. As such, Brazil has two tremendous scoring options to account for throughout every match.

The two attackers tend to split time in the middle of the attack while the other sets up on the attacking wing, and while lack of continuity sometimes follows as a result, there’s no denying how versatile Brazil can prove to be on the attack employing that strategy.

As well as Neymar played against Japan, Mexico will no doubt be keying in on him as the primary attacker to smother during this match. If that proves to be the case, Oscar will be the attacker to benefit.

Just as Brazil has to account for Chicharito and Aquino, the Mexican side will have two extremely talented strikers to afford extra attention.

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Italy vs. Japan: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Joseph Zucker — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:15:00 -0400

Italy will be able to secure their place in the knockout stage of the Confederations Cup with a win over Japan on Wednesday.

So far, the tournament has been very good, even arguably better than the 2012 Euro or 2010 World Cup. You don't have the event watered down by a bunch of average teams overmatched by the elite.

Group A looks to be the better of the two, and you'll be seeing why on Wednesday. The first match featuring Brazil and Mexico will likely overshadow Italy vs. Japan. That doesn't mean it won't be a cracking match between two talented sides.

Here is a quick preview for this Group A fixture.

When: Wednesday, June 19, at 6 p.m.

Where: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

What's at Stake

This is a massive game for both sides. Neither team's fate is complete by this point, so each can change things in a major way with a win or a loss.

Italy looked very good at times against Mexico, but there were definite holes in the Azzurri's game. They did well to maintain possession; however, on more than one occasion, they let an attack go to waste because of poor finishing.

Cesare Prandelli will definitely want to see a better performance against Japan. Plus, a win means that Italy is making it to the next round. The only thing in doubt will be if they qualify as first or second in the group.

The other Italian on the touchline, Alberto Zaccheroni, is under slightly more pressure. His squad was thoroughly outclassed by Brazil in its first match. There are a lot of things he'll need to fix against Italy.

This match is pretty much do or die for Japan. With a loss, they won't be eliminated completely, but they'll need Mexico to lose to Brazil and then have Brazil lose to Italy. That's a lot of stuff that would have to go right.

Italy Player to Watch: Mario Balotelli

It was mostly good Mario who showed up against Mexico. Balotelli was strong enough in the attack and did very well to bully his way through for his goal.

There were a few moments where it looked like Balotelli might come unhinged. He managed to keep it together for the duration of the match, though. Following the goal, he did pick up a yellow card for taking off his shirt. That was a bit of an issue, if only a slight one.

Prandelli seems to have found a way to handle Balotelli. The player who suited up for Inter Milan and Manchester City generally wasn't the one who suited up for Italy.

If Balotelli is on his game, Japan will have their hands full trying to rein him in. If the player is struggling, then his teammates will have to make sure that he doesn't completely lose it mentally.

Japan Player to Watch: Keisuke Honda

Keisuke Honda has been one of the more overlooked midfielders in the world over the past couple of seasons. He did well at VVV-Venlo, but moving to CSKA Moscow meant that he would be entering the footballing periphery as few fans watch the Russian league every week.

This is a great opportunity to see the talent Honda possesses. Over the last three seasons in the Russian Premier League, he's recorded 19 goals and 17 assists.

The Confederations Cup is also a great opportunity for Honda to put his talents on display before a potential move away from CSKA.

A dynamic playmaker, Honda will be able to thread his teammates through on goal or go after it himself on the attack.

With Japan likely looking to break on the counter, having a player like Honda is a necessity.

Prediction

Italy will control the match from start to finish. It's just a matter of limiting the defensive mistakes and making the most of the chances in the attack.

Japan have a good number of attackers. If the Azzurri make the same kind of errors on defense, the likes of Honda and Shinji Kagawa will make them count.

Regardless, there's too much talent in this Italian squad to see them losing to Japan. Prandelli really has them firing on all cylinders. Italy have looked poor in some friendlies, but when it comes to the important matches, they turn it on.

They'll struggle to find the back of the net early on. As the match goes on, it will be the Azzurri on the ascendancy more and more. They'll get the critical goal and then the floodgates will open.

Italy 3, Japan 1

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Brazil vs. Mexico: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Joseph Zucker — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:15:00 -0400

Mexico and Brazil meet on Wednesday for their second matches of the 2013 Confederations Cup. It should be an interesting match for two sides who could decide their fate in the tournament.

The second matches of most group stages are the most entertaining because they're the most important. Nobody has secured a bid to the next round, so everybody is looking to pick up three points. The first-match jitters are also out of the way.

All in all, this could be a very entertaining game should both teams deliver.

Here's a quick preview for this Confederations Cup match.

When: Wednesday, June 19, at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

What's at Stake

This is a pivotal match for both sides.

Brazil can qualify for the knockout stage with a win. They've already picked up three points, so another three would ensure that Brazil will finish at least second in Group A. The Selecao looked great against Japan, and Luiz Felipe Scolari will want to continue that run against Mexico.

This is the best Brazil has looked under Scolari, and this tournament could go a long way to getting the team ready for the 2014 World Cup.

Mexico just needs to win, period. They've won only once in six World Cup qualifying matches. El Tri looked very pedestrian in their 2-1 loss to Italy in their first match of the tournament.

A loss wouldn't condemn Mexico to elimination, but they would need a lot of things to go right in order to make it to the knockout stage.

Mexico have enough talent to have success at the World Cup. Right now, though, their players look unsure of themselves and disorganized on the pitch.

Brazil Player to Watch: Neymar

Neymar came into this tournament with massive expectations, and so far, he's delivered. His goal against Japan was a beautiful volley.

The 21-year-old striker has a lot to prove as he moves to Barcelona. He's got plenty of critics who think he's nothing more than a flashy Brazilian who will struggle to cope with more physically demanding European leagues.

Only time will tell if Neymar can fulfill his massive potential. For the time being, he looks pretty good. Few could have been disappointed with his performance against Japan.

Brazil don't have a world-class striker. Fred is good, but he's not a top-level forward. With Neymar's talent, he needs to be the engine for the attack.

Mexico Player to Watch: Jose de Jesus Corona

Javier Hernandez is the star for El Tri, but it's been Jose de Jesus Corona who's been the most consistent player.

On one hand, it's always good when you can count on your goalkeeper. On the other, it's never a good sign when your goalkeeper is consistently having the best performances on the team. It means you're having defensive breakdowns, an underwhelming attack or a combination of the two.

Unfortunately for Mexico, it's the third option.

Were it not for Corona's timely saves, El Tri probably would have conceded four or five goals against Italy. He kept Mexico in the game, and he'll likely have to do the same against Brazil.

Given El Tri's recent troubles, it's unlikely they'll score more than a goal. They'll need to keep the score low and hope to counter Brazil. If Corona continues his great run of form, Mexico have a chance.

Prediction

Brazil will be the aggressors. They controlled the match against Japan, and they'll do the same against Mexico.

There's a chance that Mexico could wake up from whatever slumber they're in. They've got more than enough talent to win this match, it's a matter of actually playing up to their potential. El Tri haven't done anything recently to make you think they can get three points, though.

Neymar and Hulk up top will be more than enough to see off Mexico with a goal or two early.

The biggest thing will be finishing. Brazil will probably have ample opportunity to get on the board. Italy had a lot of blown chances and nearly only walked away with a point despite dominating the match.

The longer Brazil go without scoring, the more confident Mexico will become, and a confident Mexico is a dangerous thing for the Selecao.

Expect a match similar to El Tri's first against Italy. Brazil will be on the front foot for the majority but never pull away

Brazil 2, Mexico 0

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Confederations Cup 2013 Live Stream: Viewing Info for Group A Matchups

Rob Goldberg — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

The Confederations Cup continues on Wednesday as the top teams in Group A attempt to separate themselves from the pack.

Each of the eight squads in the tournament has played one match, and half of them have gotten off to strong starts with opening victories.

Brazil and Italy are each tied at three points in Group A, while Spain and Nigeria have taken the lead in Group B. Meanwhile, Mexico, Japan, Uruguay and Tahiti have a lot of ground to make up over the next week.

Two of those clubs will have a chance on Wednesday, as all four Group A teams will be in action. Here is a look at what to expect in the two matches.

Brazil vs. Mexico

Where: Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza, Brazil

Date: June 19

Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Brazil started quickly in its opening match against Japan. It only took three minutes for Neymar to fire a shot into the back of the net, giving his side a 1-0 lead that the team never gave up.

In the second half, the squad showed off the depth in talent with goals by Paulinho and Jô in the dominant victory.

This depth is something that Mexico will have a hard time matching. Javier Hernandez was able to get on the board in the 2-1 loss to Italy, but the squad has struggled to score at a consistent level in recent matches, including in World Cup qualifying.

If Brazil can defend Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos, there are few players capable of scoring for El Tri.

Watch for the host squad to hold onto the ball for most of the match, with Neymar, Oscar, Hulk and others controlling the pace of the match. The group will then be able to make runs toward the net, which Mexico simply will not be able to defend.

While Chicharita might get a goal on a counter-attack, it will not be enough to keep this match competitive.

Prediction: Brazil 3, Mexico 1

Italy vs. Japan

Where: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Date: June 19

Time: 6 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Japan played well against Brazil for most of the match but simply could not keep its opponent off the scoreboard for the entire 90 minutes. The defense should have an easier time against the inconsistent offense of Italy.

Of course, this is not to say that the Italians lack talent. Andrea Pirlo is one of the best ever at scoring on free kicks, and Mario Balotelli is always a threat to score. However, the defensive-minded squad could sometimes struggle to break through with goals.

This will give Japan a chance to earn at least a point in the upcoming match. The group is impressive in the air and knows how to score on a cross. If someone like Shinji Kagawa is able to get a cross beyond the reach of the opposing keeper, the rest of the squad can finish with a header.

Overall, Italy has the more talented roster. However, this contest should be competitive throughout, and Japan will be fighting hard to at least get a point from this match.

The teams should get a goal apiece, but little more should be expected out of either side.

Prediction: Italy 1, Japan 1

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest updates in sports.

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FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Predictions for Epic Brazil vs. Italy Tilt

Steven Cook — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

Somehow it feels as if the entire group stage of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup is coming down to the moment that Brazil and Italy take the pitch Saturday.

Two of the most successful nations in World Cup history will take center stage, with both squads still looking like sure bets to advance to the semifinals. This might not be the last time they play in this tournament after all.

But in a stacked Group A with Mexico still looming, there's no guarantee of either team advancing and that's what will make this tilt so special. It's not everything, but it matters.

Let's take a look at some predictions for the upcoming affair.

Neymar Will Continue His Early Domination

It took nearly no time for 21-year-old sensation Neymar to make his mark on Brazil's Confederations Cup opener against Japan, as he ripped in a beautiful, 25-foot volley in just the third minute of their 3-0 win.

I don't expect anything different this time around. Sure, the Italians boast a much more talented defense than Japan that will make things tougher for the Brazilians, but Neymar is on a mission to take over the world of international football and doesn't seem able to be stopped at this level.

The 21-year-old who just recently signed for Barcelona, and their huge following is sure to be closely watching his performances in Brazil.

Neymar makes one or two plays in each match that just make your jaw drop, and he's sure to continue that against Italy.

Mario Balotelli Will Score Again

If there's anything we've seen from Mario Balotelli in the last two summers, it's that he turns it on to another level when he suits up for Italy's national team.

He proved that last year in the Euro 2012, when his Italian side advanced all the way to the final, where they were ousted by Spain. Balotelli was the MVP of that squad, scoring goals with reckless abandon and taking over matches in clutch moments.

Once again, Balotelli showed us that he's still capable with a late match-winner over Mexico in the Confederations Cup opener.

Balotelli's strength and size in the box cannot be matched, even by Brazil's skilled defenders. They simply won't be sizable enough to contend with his prowess and he'll make them pay by notching a goal.

Brazil Will Continue Roll With Big Victory

Brazil's recent success goes much, much deeper than Neymar, and that's why they'll be able to get past Italy on Saturday.

It won't be a one-sided affair by any means, and there's no reason to believe that possession will be lopsided in any way. But Italy just didn't show enough offensively against Mexico.

Balotelli's goal was certainly worth admiration, and Andrea Pirlo's free kick was incredible. But when you can't count on other players to make big plays, things get awfully tough when you face a team that offers as much offensively as Brazil.

I still think that Italy will rebound from this loss and make a deep run to perhaps face Brazil again in the championship, but the Brazilians are far too hot right now to be contained. There's no way I can see Italy shutting down Neymar, Hulk and company.

Prediction: Brazil 3, Italy 1

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Brazil vs. Mexico: Each Team's Blueprint to Achieve Victory

Tim Keeney — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Brazil and Mexico are entering Wednesday's key Confederations Cup meeting with complete opposite momentum.

In the first match of the tournament, the hosts completely dominated Japan, controlling 63 percent of the possession on their way to an enthralling 3-0 victory.

El Tri, meanwhile, came away from their opener with Italy with zero points. The squads were equal in goals for most of the match, but the Italians, who outclassed Mexico for much of the battle, got a deserved winner from Mario Balotelli in the 78th minute to make it 2-1.

With zero draws so far and just three matches for each squad in the group, the implications for Wednesday's match are already massive.

A win for Brazil, and it's through to the semis. A loss for Mexico, and it is all but eliminated.

Let's take a look at what each team must do to obtain the much-needed victory.

Mexico: Attack, Attack, Attack

El Tri need to take it to Brazil.

They tried to play the cautious, defend-and-counterattack approach against Italy but ended up controlling just 41 percent of the possession and failing to create enough opportunities in their own half.

With a strikeforce that features as much talent as Javier Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos, you can't afford to lay back and wait for something happen. You have to take it to the opponent.

Moreover, Mexico needs to display some grit and toughness moving forward.

Dos Santos' performance against Italy was a prime example of how that can be beneficial. He constantly fought for the ball, and it eventually led to Mexico's only goal, which came from the penalty spot:

If Mexico sits back, Brazil has the talent to capitalize. But if El Tri push forward, press the issue and attack the ball, they can force Brazil—a less-disciplined team compared to Italy—into some costly mistakes.

Urgency will be the key.

Brazil: Feed Neymar

There's little question that Neymar will be the most talented player on the pitch on Wednesday.

He once again proved that with this wonder strike against Japan:

Many question his work ethic and point toward his selfishness, but the new Barcelona forward is capable of doing some tantalizing things with the ball at his feet. Simply put, the more touches he gets, the more productive Brazil's attack.

Despite allowing two goals against Italy, Mexico has been strongest at the back recently. It has struggled to find a consistent attack but has still managed to produce draws because Jose de Jesus Corona has been world-class in goal, and the four in front of him have been stout.

If Brazil is going to break down that stingy defense, it will have to feed its best playmaker.

Follow @t_keen

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USMNT on World Cup Qualification Roll, but Questions Still Remain

John D. Halloran — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:14:33 -0400

After picking up an amazing nine points from three games this month in World Cup qualifying, the United States men’s national team is on track to not only qualify for the 2014 World Cup, but to top the CONCACAF hexagonal once again.

But, with everything that is going right, there are still questions that remain for the USMNT.

Is Omar Gonzalez Going to Pick up His Level of Play?

As talented as Omar Gonzalez is and as well as he has played over the past year in Major League Soccer, he still continues to make an inordinate number of mistakes as an international center-back.

After mistake-filled games against Belgium and Germany, his game improved against Jamaica and Panama, but much of this was due to the relative lack of quality in CONCACAF.

On Tuesday night against Honduras, Gonzalez struggled once again. His poor giveaway in the 10th minute forced Jermaine Jones to foul just outside the box on the ensuing counter. Gonzalez was also beaten badly by Andy Najar on the dribble in the 29th minute, but luckily, Najar managed to dribble the ball out of bounds. On Matt Besler’s poor giveaway just before the halftime whistle, Gonzalez was very slow to close down Najar, allowing him to blast a shot that Tim Howard, thankfully, parried away.

Gonzalez improved in the second half, but his play against Honduras once again showed he has a long way to go at the international level.

Who Should Be Michael Bradley’s Midfield Partner?

Despite seeing some of the most consistent lineup selections in U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s tenure, the U.S. still used three different combinations in central midfield over this recent five-game stretch.

In the match against Belgium, Sacha Kljestan was paired with Jermaine Jones. And while Klinsmann’s recently preferred 4-2-3-1 technically has two defensive central midfielders, in the match against Belgium, Jones stayed home while Kljestan went forward.

Kljestan, who has played well for two years in Belgium winning titles and earning Champions League experience, did
OK but was unspectacular.

Against Germany, Jamaica and Honduras, Jones was partnered with Michael Bradley. As often happens with this combination, Bradley did most of the holding duties while Jones roamed forward. Jones contributed well to the attack against Germany and Jamaica but was largely ineffective against Honduras.

Against Panama, Bradley was partnered with Geoff Cameron. With Cameron staying back, Bradley was given the freedom to roam forward and played one of his best attacking matches with the USMNT.

This left many U.S. fans wondering if Cameron should have started against Honduras. Or, if Jones continues to be the preferred partner, could he be asked to hold while Bradley roams forward? Jones is obviously a very skilled passer, but Bradley is just as good and also adds in a much needed goalscoring dimension to the U.S. attack.

Who Makes a 23-Man Roster for Brazil?

Currently, it can be reasonably assumed that 16 players have locked down their places on the roster going forward.

In the back, Brad Evans, DaMarcus Beasley, Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler are basically shoe-ins to make any future roster. In the midfield, Michael Bradley, Graham Zusi, Eddie Johnson, Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron and Jermaine Jones are givens. Up top, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore have their named etched not only onto the roster, but practically engraved onto the team sheet on game day. In the net, there is no reason to think that the top three are any different from Tim Howard, Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando. And finally, although he was injured for the duration of this camp, Herculez Gomez has done enough to prove his worth and versatility to Klinsmann.

That leaves seven spots open for the World Cup roster, assuming none of the 16 above suffer from an injury or a catastrophic run of form.

Picking a second right-back is tricky. Geoff Cameron can play the role as he did often for Stoke, but he looked out of sorts there against a talented Belgium squad.

Steve Cherundolo was playing well for the U.S. as late as last October and provides much-needed experience and leadership. Timmy Chandler, whose international commitment has been questionable at best, may be forgotten. And even though he is currently on the roster, Michael Parkhurst is probably a long shot to make the final roster at this point.

Assuming Cherundolo makes the squad, but Chandler and Parkhurst don’t, that takes the number to 17.

The U.S. still needs a quality backup at center-back as well. Geoff Cameron, again, can play the position, but Clarence Goodson has repeatedly proved over the past year that he is not an international-quality center-back. Carlos Bocanegra seems the most obvious choice and may play for the U.S. in this summer’s Gold Cup, but he was inexplicably left off the roster for these latest qualifiers. If Bocanegra works his way back onto the roster, that makes 18.

At left-back, the U.S. has Beasley and Fabian Johnson, but with Fabian Johnson recently preferred in the midfield, Klinsmann may want another left-back. This would likely put Edgar Castillo on the roster to make 19 players.

The U.S. would still need another forward and, assuming he has another good run of form for Rapid Vienna, Terrence Boyd is the most obvious choice. Gomez also provides some depth here.

The wild card up top could be Jack McInerney. If the Philadelphia Union forward continues to score goals in bunches and proves at the Gold Cup that he can do it at the international level, he might force his way into the squad. Juan Agudelo is also on a mini-run of good form and has that rare combination of speed, strength and skill, but for some reason, Klinsmann doesn’t seem to rate him that highly.

For now, assuming Agudelo and McInerney are out, Boyd makes 20.

With only three spots remaining, plenty of Klinsmann favorites are in the mix, but some are sure to be left out. Brek Shea, Brad Davis, Danny Williams and Kyle Beckerman are all frequent Klinsmann call-ups fighting for limited roster space. And that’s to say nothing of Joe Corona, Sacha Kljestan, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Jose Torres, Josh Gatt, Mix Diskerud, Conor O’Brien, Joe Gyau or Alejandro Bedoya.

And what if German-American John Anthony Brooks decides to represent the U.S. internationally?

Trying to cut the final list down to 23 is going to be brutal.

What about Landon Donovan?

Back in May, when the roster was initially released for this five-game stretch, the big story was Landon Donovan’s exclusion. Despite the many calls for Donovan to be included, it could, at some level, be understood why he was left off.

After taking a long offseason sabbatical, Donovan had only recently returned to playing for the L.A. Galaxy when the roster was announced and was certainly not in top form.

However, now, with the U.S. clearly able to navigate the hexagonal without him, will Klinsmann make the call if and when Donovan does return to top club form?

Excluding Donovan would bring another wave of criticism and second-guessing, but Klinsmann has shown no sign in his nearly two years in charge to bending to the fans’ will. Including Donovan could potentially, although unlikely, unravel the growing team chemistry Klinsmann has fostered with his core group.

And if Klinsmann does bring Donovan in, but doesn’t play him, that will certainly bring another round of distracting criticism and questions from the media.

The choice cannot be an easy one and will be widely questioned either way. Either he goes with his current team hell or high water and leaves off the U.S.’ all-time goalscoring leader, or he brings him in and awaits the unknown consequences.

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United States vs. Honduras: Team USA Player Ratings from World Cup Qualifier

Joe Tansey — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:50:48 -0400

The United States men's national team capped off their spectacular June with a 1-0 victory over Honduras in Utah on Tuesday night.

The win put the Americans in perfect position to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Once again, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey were the stars of the match at Rio Tinto Stadium, but who else earned a high grade? And who failed to impress?

Find out in these comprehensive United States player ratings from Tuesday's match.

Begin Slideshow

United States vs. Honduras: 5 Things We Learned

John D. Halloran — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:49:19 -0400

The United States men’s national team defeated Honduras 1-0 on Tuesday night to keep itself atop of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying hexagonal.

The win gives the U.S. 13 points from its first six games and puts the team in pole position to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Here are five things we learned from the match.

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Jozy Altidore Scores 4th Goal in 4 Games to Lead U.S. Past Honduras

Michael Cummings — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:37:28 -0400

Jozy Altidore scored his fourth international goal in as many matches to lead the United States men's national team to a 1-0 victory over Honduras on Tuesday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Altidore scored the winner in the 73rd minute, giving the U.S. its third straight win in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Captain Clint Dempsey started the move with a chip to Graham Zusi, whose slight touch freed left-back Fabian Johnson in an advanced position.

Johnson passed back for Altidore, who had pulled away from his marker. Altidore's left-footed, first-time shot beat the keeper at the far post.

(h/t SB Nation)

It was Altidore's fourth goal in as many games with the U.S., a run that has ended his recent scoring drought emphatically. The four-game streak is tied for best in American history, according to ESPN's Paul Carr:

Jozy Altidore ties a #USMNT record by scoring in four straight games.
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) June 19, 2013

Altidore also put the ball in the net in the 59th minute but was correctly ruled offside after a fast U.S. move. The 23-year-old now has 17 goals in 59 appearances with the U.S.

Dempsey came close with a header that was saved in the 70th minute, and Honduras escaped a penalty after the ball hit a defender's hand in the box in the 63rd.

With the win, the U.S. maintained first place in the Hexagonal and moved onto 13 points. Up next is a trip to second-placed Costa Rica in September, followed by a home match against rival Mexico.

Follow @MikeCummings37

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United States Inches Closer to World Cup Qualification with Win over Honduras

Michael Cummings — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:13:51 -0400

As the final seconds ticked off the clock Tuesday night in Utah, the home supporters celebrated their home team's imminent win with a boast in song form.

"We are going to Brazil," they sang. "We are going to Brazil."

The United States men's national team was in the process of wrapping up a 1-0 victory over Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, and even though those three points won't actually send the U.S. to next year's World Cup, it's hard to argue with the sentiment.

In victory, the U.S. maintained its lead atop the Hexagonal, the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, and moved onto 13 points. That's five ahead of rival Mexico, but more importantly, it's only three away from the magic number of 16.

In two of the last four Hexes, 16 points have been enough to secure automatic World Cup qualification (the other two totals were 13 and 17), and with a win in any of its four remaining qualifiers, the U.S. would almost certainly qualify.

That business will have to wait, though. After picking up three wins in three qualifiers this month, the U.S. is off until September, when it will travel to Costa Rica and host Mexico. The latter will be the latest installment in North America's best rivalry, and after Tuesday's result, it could be the match the sends the U.S. to Brazil.

Jozy Altidore did the honors, scoring the winning goal in the 73rd minute and relieving some pressure after what had been a frustrating performance to that point. It was Altidore's fourth goal in as many games, tying an American record, and it further relegated the big striker's recently ended scoring drought to the annals of history.

It also served as the latest entry in the team's turnaround after a poor start in World Cup qualifying. The U.S. dropped its Hex opener at Honduras, but gained revenge Tuesday, keeping Honduras winless and points-less on the road.

Finally, the goal eased a building sense of frustration for the U.S., which had drawn blanks in the first half and missed a series of chances early in the second. Brad Evans rose highest to meet Zusi's cross in the 56th minute, but his header was too close to the keeper. Altidore had a goal correctly ruled out for offside three minutes later, and Dempsey's diving header—from yet another Zusi cross—was saved in the 70th minute.

But in the 73rd minute, the U.S. was not to be denied.

Dempsey chipped a pass to Zusi, whose slight touch freed Fabian Johnson on the left. The left-back's perfect pass found Altidore, who finished expertly at the far post with his left foot.

Feed the Jozy and he will score
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 19, 2013

It wasn't always smooth for the U.S. With left-back DaMarcus Beasley suspended, manager Jurgen Klinsmann opted to move Fabian Johnson back from left midfield. Eddie Johnson slotted into the left side of midfield, with Graham Zusi reclaiming his spot on the right.

Honduras had much more serious selection headaches. Forward Jerry Bengtson, who scored the winner in Honduras' 2-1 qualifying victory over the U.S. in February, left the team after a dispute with manager Luis Fernando Suarez. Oscar Boniek Garcia and Maynor Figueroa were injured, while center-back Victor Bernardez and midfielder Luis Garrido were suspended.

But even with all those absences, Honduras presented an organized, effective resistance for more than 70 minutes. The U.S. dominated possession throughout the first half, but failed to move the ball effectively through the middle. Fabian Johnson posed a threat down the flank early in the match, but fell silent offensively midway through the half.

In his touchline interview before the start of the second half, Klinsmann called for a faster tempo and more passes to Altidore's feet. The U.S. produced both, and after a period of pressure, the breakthrough finally came.

In the end, the goal and the result were precisely what Klinsmann wanted, even if the performance wasn't. Even with the win, Klinsmann's team remains flawed. A full-strength Honduras might have punished the Americans' sloppiness, and despite the shutout, the defense had a few nervous moments.

But with World Cup qualification inching closer, Klinsmann appears to have the team heading in the right direction.

Follow @MikeCummings37

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USA vs. Honduras: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Ryan Rudnansky — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:59:09 -0400

After a lackluster first half on Tuesday, USA ultimately found net against Honduras in 2014 World Cup qualifying action, going on to a 1-0 victory.

And guess who the hero was?

That's right: Jozy Altidore.

Honduras showed some life early, making Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler work on defense, but the ball was cleared without incident. Roger Espinoza showed some touch seven minutes in, nutmegging Jermaine Jones and drawing a foul from Eddie Johnson. The free kick was well wide.

After a quick break from USA, the Americans earned a corner kick in the eighth minute. Graham Zusi delivered a nice ball, but Brad Evans headed it just wide. Michael Bradley expertly drove through the Honduran defense at the 10-minute mark, but Zusi's cross wasn't accurate.

Moments later, Espinoza threatened again, forcing Jones into a foul and a yellow card right outside the box. But the ensuing kick went into USA's wall, and a crisis was averted.

Andrew Das of the New York Times quipped:

In the 17th minute, Fabian Johnson sent in a beautiful cross that Altidore one-timed, but Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares made a great diving save.

Play continued with USA looking for chances on the Honduran side of the pitch, but not threatening too much. That included a pass that sailed from Jones, who wasn't making the most of his start early in the match.

It dragged on for a while, as USA controlled possession until the side needed it in meaningful spots.

Thirty-four minutes in, Jones showed some life, drawing a foul and a yellow card on Honduras defender Arnold Peralta on a strong run down the pitch. But Clint Dempsey's free kick swung into Honduras' wall.

Derek Rae of ESPNFC.com tweeted:

Two minutes later, Bradley just missed Eddie Johnson, who would have surely had a goal if the pair had connected.

It became apparent in the first half that Honduras was choosing to allow more possession to USA in the midfield while sitting back and cutting off through balls.

The Americans responded by playing rather sloppy soccer, failing to create many opportunities and giving away possession with ill-advised fouls. Espinoza was certainly a part of that, proving to be a pest for USA.

In the 45th minute, USA survived a scare that would have surely put pressure on the side.

After Besler gave away the ball, Honduras midfielder Andy Najar took advantage driving down the right side of the pitch before shooting a dangerous ball goalkeeper Tim Howard's way. But the talented American made a brilliant save, keeping the match scoreless.

Through one half of play, Honduras had held USA to only three shots (one on goal), even though the Americans held possession for 66 percent of the time.

SoccerByIves.net tweeted:

At the 49-minute mark of the second half, Graham Zusi swung a nice cross Gonzalez's way off a free kick, but Gonzalez mistimed his jump and his header was sent wide.

The Americans received a free kick in the 55th minute. Zusi sent another strong cross Brad Evans' way, but yet again, USA failed to score, as Evans headed the ball right to the keeper. The US had yet another chance to score in the box at 64 minutes, but Zusi's shot hit the post. It may have been a handball on the defense off the rebound, but there was no call from the ref.

Dempsey had a clear shot at goal in the 68th minute, but he swung it wide. Two minutes later, his diving header was saved. Off the rebound, Bradley had a chance, but shot it over the post.

But USA's persistence paid off shortly after, as Altidore erased a so-so outing to once again score for the American side in qualifying. Off a through ball from Dempsey, Fabian Johnson found Altidore in the middle, who swung it home.

Paul Carr of ESPN Stats & Info tweeted:

Honduras' Wilson Palacios and Jose Velasquez were both given yellow cards down the stretch.

Besler cut off a well-placed cross by Honduras in the 85th minute, continuing to be sound after the first-half turnover.

Honduras showed some life down the stretch with one last-ditch attempt, but the Americans held on for a 1-0 victory.

Grades

USA

Position	Player	Grade
G	Tim Howard	A
M	Jermaine Jones	C-
D	Fabian Johnson	B
M	Graham Zusi	A
D	Matt Besler	B
D	Omar Gonzalez	B
M	Brad Evans	B
S	Clint Dempsey	C
S	Eddie Johnson	B
M	Michael Bradley	B
S	Jozy Altidore	B+

Honduras

Position	Player	Grade
G	Noel Valladares	C
D	Juan Montes	C
D	Jose Velasquez	C
D	Emilio Izaguirre	B+
M	Wilson Palacios	C
M	Mario Martinez	C
D	Arnold Peralta	C
M	Jorge Claros	C
M	Roger Espinoza	A
M	Andy Najar	B
S	Carlos Costly	C

What's Next?

The United States will face Costa Rica at Ricardo Saprissa on Sept. 6 to begin the fall slate. Honduras will play Mexico on the same day at Azteca Stadium.

The Americans lead the group with 13 points in six matches. Honduras has seven points.

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Spain Dominate U21s: Who Said Tiki-Taka Is Dead?

Jerrad Peters — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:48:59 -0400

On the same day the Football Association decided to part ways with Stuart Pearce for England’s dismal showing at the UEFA European U-21 Championship, holders Spain won their second successive underage title, beating Italy 4-2 in the final in Jerusalem.

But not only did Spain’s performance at the tournament make England’s look ridiculous (thank goodness the two didn’t meet in Israel this month), it also put to bed the notion that the country’s Barcelona-inspired tiki-taka style of football had somehow died with the Catalans’ thumping at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Although, given the magnitude of the defeat—the German side triumphed 7-0 on aggregate en route to the European Cup and a historic treble—such a rush to conclusions was almost excusable considering the manner in which the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and, when he played, Lionel Messi were brushed aside by Bayern.

Extrapolating that thinking, it was possible to reach the theory that tiki-taka would live and die with the current generation of Barcelona players—an impending reality that would surely affect the Spanish national team as well.

For while Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta are still the forces that drive La Roja to title after title (their 2-1 win over Uruguay in the Confederations Cup was an especially vintage performance), there was never any reason to assume the players that followed them would pick up their stylistic mantle.

Until now.

The Spanish U-21 side not only did their senior counterparts credit with a dominant display in Israel, but they also let the world know that the country’s stylistic traditions would be maintained going forward. And for that, they have a national association with a playing philosophy that crosses all age groups to thank.

Where Busquets is the defensive conscience and deepest-lying passer in the senior Spanish side, Asier Illarramendi filled the role for the U-21s—and he excelled in it. Already among La Liga’s best midfielders at the age of 23, the Real Sociedad man was one of the primary reasons why his club earned a place in the upcoming Champions League campaign.

Thiago Alcantara, meanwhile, was the U-21s' version of Xavi.

Attempting an average of 84.5 passes per game at the tournament (including 8.2 accurate long balls), the 22-year-old completed more than 93 percent of them and chipped in three goals to boot according to WhoScored.

He had had difficulty displacing the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona’s first XI, but if the past few weeks were any indication, he’ll be able to pick his next destination should he leave the Catalan capital this summer.

Finally, Isco functioned as the U-21s' Iniesta, making well-timed runs into dangerous space and chipping in offensively with three goals—one of which came in the final.

Given Malaga’s European ban, it’s likely the 21-year-old will be on the move in the next few weeks, but for now he’ll be relishing an U-21 championship with an up-and-coming group of Spanish youngsters destined for big things at senior level.

“The most important thing is to win the championship,” he told AS after the match (h/t Goal.com). “It’s a wonder how strong we have been in this tournament.”

He added: “The most important thing is to show the world tiki-taka football.”

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World Cup Qualifying: X-Factors for US National Team in Crucial Honduras Match

Steven Cook — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:16:49 -0400

The U.S. men's national team have been on a surge as of late through their World Cup qualifiers, but they'll face a familiar and pesky foe in Honduras on Tuesday night.

While the Americans lead the CONCACAF standings with 10 points through five games, they'll be put in a tough position should they struggle in the match. However, a win would go a long way toward ensuring the side's qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Hondurans took down the U.S. back in February with a 2-1 victory on their home soil, but the home-field advantage will be reversed this time around as the two teams face off in Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah.

Let's take a look at the biggest X-factors who the USMNT need to step up during their World Cup qualifying tilt with Honduras.

Brad Evans

Even before ripping this unexpected gem that won the Americans' recent tilt with Jamaica in extra time, Brad Evans' playing level was through the roof and it continues to soar.

Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann made the bold move of pushing the former midfielder to an unfamiliar position at right-back, and it's paid dividends. Evans has been a constant factor in the Americans' shored-up back line.

Klinsmann told Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times that Evans has been showing great form as of late in his switch. Per Baxter's report, Klinsmann said "Now that Brad Evans is playing that role very, very strongly, he made a very strong case for himself going toward the World Cup in Brazil."

The 28-year-old has had his moments with the USMNT, some brighter than others. But he's enjoying one of the best stretches of his international career, and it continuing on Tuesday night would do wonders for the Americans' chances.

Jozy Altidore

The U.S. go as Jozy Altidore goes, and that's the biggest reason why they've been able to have success as of late in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

The American striker has been scoring goals at will, despite changes being made to his supporting midfield by Klinsmann in virtually every contest.

With so many question marks surrounding the best starting lineup for the USMNT, it's imperative that Altidore learns how to have success even if he doesn't know who will be lining up next to him. And recently, he's proven that with prowess and domination in manufacturing goals.

The Americans need Altidore to play with anger, energy and strength in order to have success, and that is just what the 23-year-old has been doing.

Jermaine Jones

It's unclear as of yet whether Jermaine Jones will return from injury after experiencing concussion-like symptoms after the team's 2-0 win vs. Panama, but Klinsmann hinted at it to MLSsoccer.com just prior to the team's battle with Honduras.

With DaMarcus Beasley out after picking up excessive yellow cards, the Americans could surely use Jones' attacking ability and strength on the pitch. Against a Honduras team that is always dangerous but tends to leave opportunities out there for the opponent, Jones could turn into a hero again.

The 31-year-old is one of the leaders on the USMNT, and his presence is felt positively on the pitch no matter how he's performing. He makes his teammates better and allows more comfort for the youngsters.

If Jones is able to start Tuesday's match, it will give the Americans a huge leg up, and Honduras will have their hands full.

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Why Thiago Alcantara Was the Star of the European Under-21 Championships

Karl Matchett — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:43:22 -0400

As if a first-half hat-trick in the final itself didn't make him a stand-out already, Thiago Alcantara headed into the UEFA European under-21 Championships final having already proven himself head and shoulders above most of his peers.

The Spain captain and attacking midfielder used the final to give one final top-drawer showing, netting a perfect treble in the process—header, left foot, right foot.

That last display only served to underline his importance and his quality, and he was certainly the star of the tournament.

Controlling Matches and Spain's Tempo

A clear selling point for winning his place in the Spain side at any level, Thiago proved himself vastly capable of controlling games for his team with consistent, creative passing. The Barcelona midfielder was always available to recycle and retain possession in the middle of the park, but also rarely wasted a pass further forward.

His teammates clearly have the utmost confidence in his ability to distribute the ball well, always looking infield for the No. 10 shirt.

Much of Spain's forward movement goes through him, even with all the other attacking talent in the side.

It's easy to point to training and playing alongside the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta and saying that Thiago has the best grounding possible to play in this way, but his style and his ability are his alone. Thiago has the talent and has very much been able to harness it during the tournament, to the great benefit of his antion.

Ability in the Final Third

Only teammates Asier Illarammendi, Koke and Marc Bartra managed to complete a higher percentage of passes than Thiago, considering players who made at least two starts in the tournament.

During the entire Championships he started all five matches, missing just 10 minutes overall, and completed 93 percent of his 424 attempted passes—stunning accuracy and consistency for a young, attacking player in a high-pressure environment.

Then again, he isn't the captain for nothing.

Two key passes each game on average showed his creative side as he was a key figure for his nation keeping the pressure up in the opposition's territory, and Spain's 12 goals in their five matches were an indication of the attacking prowess the squad as a whole contained. There can be no doubt that Thiago was a big part of that from his advanced central role.

And, of course, on the biggest stage of all, Thiago put three goals past the Italians to fire his side to glory.

Leadership and Making a Difference When it Matters

It's all well and good wearing the captain's armband, but Thiago showed he could inspire his players by his own example on the pitch. Not just in scoring or creating chances, but in showing a very professional approach, by working hard and with his sheer consistency.

It takes nerves to take a penalty in a final, even if it was for the hat-trick, but maybe it takes even more composure to pass up the opportunity to score a fourth goal in the final and let another player take the second spot-kick, just in case the goalkeeper has figured out the initial taker's approach.

Thiago performed magnificently on the ball but his work-rate off of it and his willingness to help his side dominate make him a good leader at this level.

Like all great captains, as well, he came up with the quality when his team needed it and no matter what he goes on to achieve, it's not likely he'll forget a European Championships final hat-trick in a hurry.

Follow @karlmatchett

Player data from WhoScored.com

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Picking a European Under-21 Championships Best XI

Sam Tighe — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:13:07 -0400

The U-21 European Championships have finished, Spain are the victors once more.

That's consecutive titles for Thiago Alcantara and co., and the Barcelona midfield schemer rightfully features in our ultimate XI for the tournament.

Who joins him? Read on to find out, but be warned: It's La Roja-centric!

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5 Players Who Increased Their Value at the U-21 European Championship

Jerrad Peters — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:26:27 -0400

Thiago Alcantara’s hat-trick sealed a second successive European U-21 crown for both himself and his country Tuesday, as Spain beat five-time winners Italy 4-1 in Jerusalem.

The treble took the 22-year-old Barcelona midfielder to within a goal of teammate Alvaro Morata’s tournament-leading tally and capped a performance that will surely see his value rise beyond the £18 million the Catalans have him pegged at. (Metro)

A handful of other young superstars will have increased their stock over the past few weeks in Israel as well, and in the following slideshow we’ll learn a thing or two about four of them, concluding with some more transfer news regarding the highly-rated Thiago.

Let’s get to it.

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Does Thiago Alcantara Win His Barcelona Place with Under-21 Euro Victory?

Karl Matchett — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:02:48 -0400

Spain's Under-21 side showed they have similar talent, consistency and desire for silverware as their senior counterparts on Tuesday as they waltzed to a 4-2 European under-21 Championships victory over Italy in Israel.

The proud youngsters add that title to a long list accumulated over the past five years by the senior side—who are themselves hoping to win the Confederations Cup this month—and captain Thiago Alcantara was perhaps the Spanish player who most stood out for his final performance.

Out of all the members of the Spain squad heading into this tournament, Thiago was the one whom the most transfer speculation surrounded, and a lesser player might have let that pressure affect his performances.

A first-half hat-trick pretty much put to bed any notion of that happening here.

Quite aside from his goals, Thiago's all-round performance was a joy to behold once more and there must now be questions asked at club level whether this prodigy deserves the chance to really take his place in the Barcelona first team rather than being sold on.

Spain were of course the favourites heading into the tournament, and their strong form en route to the final did nothing to dispel such expectations. Italy themselves showed consistent ability and won three of their four matches before the final itself, but Spain were a step too far for them—as they have been for most sides.

Spain took just six minutes to score the first goal of the game as they completely cut Italy open, Isco combining with Alvaro Morata down the left channel before the latter lifted a cross into the six-yard box, where Italy had contrived to leave Thiago completely alone.

A simple nodded header got the goal fest underway in exemplary style.

Italy, to their credit, battled back constantly throughout the match and showed great mental fortitude, as shown by their almost immediate equaliser on a sublimely taken lob from Ciro Immobile.

After a period thereafter when Italy might have made the most of their sudden upturn in fortune, Spain was once again able to dominate possession and put the game out of reach behind the sheer brilliance of Thiago Alcantara.

An expertly chested down cross was cushioned into his own path inside the penalty area for a left-footed finish, and he completed his hat-trick five minutes later on a penalty tally following a foul on Cristian Tello.

Lorenzo Insigne, Isco, Fabio Borini and Tello all traded efforts on goal after the break, but a second penalty for Spain—this time for a trip on Martin Montoya—all but sealed the fate of this tie.

Isco took it this time, and sent goalkeeper Francesco Bardi the wrong way to make it 4-1.

A host of changes took some of the flow and pace out of the game, but Borini's arrowed shot into the far corner from 20 yards gave Italy one last glimmer of hope that a late comeback might be in the cards. Spain, however, were far too savvy in possession to give their rivals any real opportunities on goal.

With Thiago at the centre of their composure, resilience and continued creativity as the game drew to a close—more than ably assisted by the excellent Asier Illarramendi and the energetic Koke—Spain deservedly held out to lift the European under-21 Championships trophy.

The captain will lift the trophy and will no doubt enjoy a fine summer's rest thereafter, but soon enough the new campaign will roll around.

And when it does, Thiago must surely feel he has earned the right to take his place alongside elder greats of the game in the heart of the Barcelona team.

Follow @karlmatchett

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Italy vs. Spain: Score and Recap for Euro U-21 Championship Final

Joseph Zucker — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:57:26 -0400

Spain can add another trophy to their already massive medal cabinet as they finished off Italy, 4-2, in the Under-21 European Championship final.

This is the fourth U-21 title for Spain and their second in a row.

The tournament has been exciting from start to finish, and the final continued in bringing plenty of entertainment.

It took all of six minutes for Thiago Alcantara to open the scoring. Isco got himself some space and found Alvaro Morata down the flank. Morata has scored in every match coming into the final, but he decided to let someone else have the fun. He delivered in a nice cross, leaving Thiago with a rather easy headed finish.

Spanish football expert Dermot Corrigan elaborated on Thiago's goal:

Italy wasted little time in making their reply. In the ninth minute, Matteo Bianchetti found Ciro Immobile with what was a beauty of a long ball. Immobile controlled the pass perfectly with one touch and quickly floated it over an onrushing David de Gea. It was route one football, but Immobile at least made the finish look very pretty.

FourFourTom noted how great Spain's defense had been up to that point:

Zonal Marking's Michael Cox thought de Gea could have done better:

The keeper more than made up for his mistake when he saved an Alessandro Florenzi volley from point-blank range in the 25th minute.

Thiago was the man of the moment again in the 31st minute, as he fired in a close-range shot with his left foot.

It was an entirely preventable goal as Luca Caldirola gave Thiago enough space in the box with which he could receive the pass from Koke. Francesco Bardi also got his legs on the shot, but Thiago put so much power in it that there was little Bardi could do to stop it.

Take nothing away from the pass by Koke as he did very well to float it in over the top. Spanish football expert David Cartlidge was complimentary of Koke's performance in the tournament up to this point:

Spain were the side on the ascendancy in the buildup to the goal, so it's only fair that they managed to get on the board again.

Italy could certainly feel hard done by. In the 37th minute, Giulio Donati was deemed to have fouled Cristian Tello. Replays looked to have shown Donati winning the ball before bringing Tello down, but the referee's decision was final, and Thiago stepped up to complete his hat-trick.

Graham Ruthven of The New York Times' Goal Blog summed up the situation well:

The midfielder drilled the shot right down the center to put Spain up 3-1. Bardi got a touch on it with his feet, but he was diving to his right, so he was helpless to prevent the goal.

It was the perfect hat-trick for Thiago as he scored with both feet and his head. Here are some of the stats regarding Thiago's hat-trick, via OptaJose and UEFA.com's Paul Saffer:

That was the last of the action of the first half. Italian football journalist Tancredi Palmeri felt that Spain deserved their lead going into halftime:

With a two-goal lead, Spain were able to kill off the game in the second half. They squeezed the life out of the Italians and passed circles around them.

If Italy weren't out of before the 64th minute, they certainly were after it. Vasco Regini brought down Martin Montoya in the box to give Spain their second penalty of the match.

On this call, Italy would have no one to blame but themselves as Montoya did well to get forward and knock it across Regini before the defender brought him down. It was a clear penalty, and Isco stepped up to take the kick.

He slotted it away in the right corner to give Spain a 4-1 lead.

Bleacher Report's Italian football expert Matteo Bonetti thinks it's a little to early to call the demise of Spanish football:

Italy didn't go down without a fight. Fabio Borini did his best to try to get his team back into the match with his goal in the 80th minute. He did very well, playing a one-two with Lorenzo Insigne and firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

It was too little too late for the Azzurri, though.

This was a tremendous win for Spain. They absolutely tore apart what was a talented Italy team. The supporters for Italy will rightly point out that the first penalty given to Spain wasn't a penalty, and that that call changed the match.

It may have altered the game a bit, but there's no doubting which was the better side on the day. Granted, the Italians came in with some issues about their back four, but the Spanish attack was irresistible. It's scary to think what's coming up the pipeline for the national team.

What's Next

This is what you'll see from players like Isco and Thiago with the U-21 side. They're going to have roles to play in the senior level team very soon. Looking at this team, there's no reason to think that Spain will be falling off in the near future.

The future for Italy is a little less secured. Over the past four or five years, the Azzurri have had a hard time turning their strong youth players into stars at the next level. Although Italy have plenty of attackers, their defending was very poor.

The Azzurri aren't going to tumble down the FIFA rankings, but with this performance, there's still a ways to go in the future if they want to get back to the pinnacle of world football.

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USA vs. Honduras: Keys to American Victory in World Cup Qualifier

Rob Goldberg — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:25:27 -0400

The United States continues its quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup with a home match against Honduras. In order to earn the three points, everyone involved must bring its best effort.

After wins over Jamaica and Panama, the US is in good shape in CONCACAF qualifying. The squad leads the six-team group with 10 points in five matches, which is three points ahead of Honduras in fourth place.

As long as the team stays in the top three, it will be headed to Brazil.

However, Honduras has a lot of talent and is certain to give Team USA trouble on Tuesday. It will be necessary to follow these keys to make sure they get a win.

Maintain Possession

United States has suffered one loss during this round of qualifying, and that came at the hands of Honduras. In that match, the eventual winners held possession for 57 percent of the time.

As a result, the US players struggled to get a solid attack near the net and could only manage one goal in a 2-1 loss.

Of course, the squad looks much different in recent weeks than it did back in February. The ball movement has been much better recently, and the group has held onto the ball for the majority of the last two matches.

This must happen against Honduras to truly control the match. If the midfield continues to play like it has, this should not be an issue.

Take Smart Shots

Against Jamaica and Panama, the United States totaled four goals, although it seemed like both matches should have been higher scoring.

The team has been moving the ball well, but it has not been getting quality shots off near the net. Of the 23 shots taken in the two matches, only seven of them were actually on goal.

In the upcoming contest, the players need to make sure they are working for something when they have the ball. Instead of passing back and forth, they need to make runs toward the net to create better scoring opportunities.

Every player needs to be aware of where they are and whether making the extra pass will lead to a much better shot.

Keep Focus on Defense

This has been the biggest problem for Team USA over the course of qualifying. The defense will play strong for 99 percent of a match, but it will then lose focus.

While the team was fortunate to avoid giving up a goal against Panama, it was not so lucky against Jamaica as a score in the 89th minute almost blew a victory.

Playing defense requires a lot of physical tools, but it is almost important to be mentally aware of what is going on at all times. If the players get lazy for even a second, the opponent will make them pay.

Honduras has plenty of talent on the offensive end, so guys like Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler have to stay on top of things for the full 90 minutes. Otherwise, the team will not get the three points that it needs.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest updates in sports.

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USA vs. Honduras: US Players Who Deserve a Shot to Prove Their Worth

Zach Brown — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:00:25 -0400

The road to Rio continues tonight when the U.S. Men's National Team takes on Honduras in the sixth qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup. After falling to Honduras back in February, the United States has gone 3-0-1 in its next four qualifying matches to lead the Hexagonal standings at the halfway point.

With his team on top of the CONCACAF standings, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann can use tonight's game to get a closer look at some of his players who are fighting for playing time on what is becoming a very deep United States squad.

Edgar Castillo

No player has more to prove tonight than Edgar Castillo. With starting left back DaMarcus Beasley suspended for tonight's game, Castillo could see extended playing time.

Starting goalkeeper Tim Howard told ESPN's Jeff Carlisle that Castillo adds a physical presence on the defense end.

[Castillo] is a different kind of left back than what we’re used to. He bites at the ball a lot. For a guy his size, he really likes to tackle, to mix it up.He’s not afraid of that.

Obviously, he’s good getting forward, he enjoys that part of it ... But I like the fact that for his size he really likes to tackle and get into guys, and put pressure on the attackers.

It is Castillo's attacking nature that could make or break his future with the U.S. National Team. If he plays too aggressive, Honduras has firepower up front to counter-attack. But Honduras has struggled on defense, and Castillo's play could spark runs for the U.S. offense.

Castillo will need a strong performance to earn increased playing time on what is becoming a very talented team.

Eddie Johnson

After recording a goal in last Tuesday's victory over Panama, Eddie Johnson deserves another start for the U.S. side tonight.

Johnson added offensive depth to a team that has relied heavily on Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore. With the return of midfielders Graham Zusi and Jermaine Jones for tonight's match, Johnson will likely be on the sidelines as the team shifts to a more traditional alignment, but the 29-year-old earned more playing time and deserves another start.

Omar Gonzalez / Matt Besler

Gonzalez and Besler have become the anchors of the United States defense, with the team going 3-0-2 with three shutouts in the five games they have started together.

Klinsmann told Seth Vertelney of the Sporting News that though there will be growing pains, he likes the pairing at center back.

There will be a bad game here and there, there will be a mistake, but the important thing is that we coaches see the potential in certain players and we can see where they can be one day.

The two young defenders have shown a lot already, but leading the United States to victory tonight will solidify them as the club's starting center backs heading into the 2014 World Cup.

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Confederations Cup Power Rankings Following First Matches of Group Stage

Jerrad Peters — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:57:29 -0400

It may not be the World Cup, but the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup hasn’t lacked either talking points or material for the highlight reel ahead of the second set of matches.

Already we have seen a Neymar golaço, a sublime Andrea Pirlo free kick, an imperious performance from Spain and a spirited effort from a Tahiti side that commemorated their only goal in Monday’s 6-1 defeat to Nigeria with a unique, boat-paddling celebration.

The four matches played have also served to, at least somewhat, separate the tournament’s eight participants. And, while we’re still more than a week away from the semifinals, we can nevertheless begin arranging the teams by power rankings.

Over the next eight slides we’ll classify, in order of worst to best, the continental heavyweights contesting this installment of FIFA’s second-most prestigious competition.

Begin Slideshow

Confederations Cup 2013 Schedule: When and Where to Catch Wednesday's Action

Joseph Zucker — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:12:41 -0400

The 2013 Confederations Cup kicks into high gear as teams prepare for their second matches in the group stage.

International tournaments are often knocked for failing to live up to the hype. With this year's Confederations Cup, that hasn't been the case.

Since only eight teams are involved, there aren't a ton of early matches where it's one very good team against one average team. Although Tahiti are an obvious exception, there are a bunch of respectable countries with talented national teams.

Here's a quick preview of the action in Group A, with a few of the burning storylines going into the matches.

Match Schedule

Date and Time (ET)	Match	Watch	Live Stream
Wednesday, June 19, at 3 p.m.	Brazil vs. Mexico	ESPN	ESPN3
Wednesday, June 19, at 6 p.m.	Italy vs. Japan	ESPN	ESPN3

Top Storylines to Watch

Will the Hosts Look Dominant Again?

One of the surprises in the first round of play was just how good Brazil looked against Japan. The Selecao have been struggling recently and entered the Confederations Cup on a rather poor run of form. The arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari had so far failed to inject any major changes from the tenure of Mano Menezes.

If Brazil continue to look as good as they did on Sunday, supporters will have nothing to worry about.

This tournament is a great test for Brazil, as they don't have any World Cup qualifying with which they can test themselves. The Confederations Cup is a much better indicator than a friendly when it comes time for Scolari to select his starting 11.

Will Mexico Break Out of Their Funk?

Unlike Brazil, Mexico weren't able to improve upon their poor form in their first match. El Tri have yet to lose a match; however, they've also only won one match and scored three goals in six matches.

As a result, Jose Manuel de la Torre is a manager under fire. There's a very good chance that he'll be out of a job if Mexico underperform at the Confederations Cup.

It would be hard to blame the Mexican Federation if it chose to do so.

Mexico have the talent to make a deep run at the World Cup. It's a matter of the manager putting that talent together and setting it up to win. That's not happening at the moment.

Against Italy, El Tri looked completely unsure of themselves. They never looked like they would be able to get three points, and promptly conceded a late goal to lose.

Things don't look much better as they have to play host Brazil in their next match.

The Mario Balotelli Show

Whether good or bad, Mario Balotelli is the kind of player you cannot help but watch.

He's been more of a hindrance than a help with Inter Milan and Manchester City in the past.

When it comes to the Italian national team, though, Balotelli has managed to keep his passion relatively restrained. There was the red card he got against the Czech Republic, but on the whole, Cesare Prandelli has been able to rein in the striker.

Balotelli's goal against Mexico was the essence of everything he can become as a player. He was surrounded by three defenders but bulled his way through and poked it in for the goal.

At his best, he is one of the most promising young strikers in the world. At his worst, he's a red card waiting to happen.

Now that the good stuff has happened, is Balotelli due for a meltdown?

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2014 World Cup: 3 More Nations Secure World Cup Qualification Through Asia

Frank Wagner — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:46:56 -0400

The qualifying groups for the 2014 World Cup came to a conclusion Tuesday, booking places in next summer's tournament for three more nations.

In Group B, Australia's 1-0 victory over Iraq clinched a place in the top two for the Socceroos, winning them automatic qualification.

The Australians can thank Joshua Kennedy, as the 30-year-old striker netted the winner in the 83rd minute just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Group A saw some more drama, as South Korea, Iran and Uzbekistan each entered their final match with qualification on the line.

In Seoul, a defensive lapse allowed Iran's Reza Ghoochannejhad the space to run in on the keeper and slot the ball into the net for the winner.

The 1-0 victory clinched qualification and the group title for Iran.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan was slow to find their form, but scored five goals in the final half-hour to defeat Qatar 5-1.

Unfortunately for Uzbekistan, the victory was not quite good enough, as they finished even on points with South Korea but with an inferior goal differential.

Thus, Australia, Iran and South Korea are each heading to next summer's World Cup in Brazil thanks to Tuesday's results.

The three nations join Japan as the four automatic Asian qualifiers.

Including host Brazil, this brings the total number of qualified nations to five.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan booked their place in the Asian playoffs, where they will play either Oman or Jordan for the chance to play the fifth-placed South American team for a place in Brazil.

With these results, the World Cup is starting to really take shape. There are now just 85 nations fighting over 27 spots in Brazil.

Follow @Fw1812, creator of the Wagner World Rankings

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Australia Qualify for the World Cup: A Look at their Strengths and Weaknesses

Dan Colasimone — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:27:56 -0400

The Socceroos secured qualification for their third consecutive World Cup with a shaky 1-0 win over already-eliminated Iraq in Sydney on Tuesday night.

Australia's qualification campaign was not always pretty, but in the end it was effective, as they clinched the second spot in Group B with seven minutes to go in their final fixture.

When Jesus Christ lookalike Josh Kennedy rose high above the Iraqi defense and headed home a beautifully-weighted Mark Bresciano cross to send the 80,523-strong crowd at Stadium Australia into raptures, there was a strong feeling of relief for football fans around the country to go along with the elation.

With an overall record going back to the start of the first group phase of 14 games played, eight wins, four draws and two losses, there were several anxious moments throughout the campaign for Socceroos supporters, but the payoff did eventually come.

The nadir for Australia came in March when they went down 2-0 to Oman at home before clawing their way back to draw 2-2. So dire was the performance that many pundits began to doubt the side's ability to qualify.

That result left Holger Osiek's side needing six points from their final three games, against Japan away, and Jordan and Iraq at home.

A gritty 1-1 draw in Saitama raised hopes that, with their backs to the wall, the Socceroos would once again dig just deep enough to earn themselves a place at the big show. And so it proved, as they punched their way past Jordan in Melbourne with an impressive 4-0 win to set up the Sydney showdown with Iraq.

Though the Australian players made the right noises about not taking their opponents lightly in the lead up to the game, there was a sense that the Iraqis, with nothing to play for, would only prove to be a minor speed bump on the road to Rio (or whichever less-iconic city Australia happens to be based in during the tournament). Yet the Middle Eastern side put up a terrific fight to keep the 'Roos fate up in the air until the very end.

Now that Lucas Neill and his men have booked their place in Brazil, here is a look at how they might shape up when they get there.

Manager Holger Osieck

A somewhat surprising choice when he was appointed to the role in August, 2010, Osieck had previously been in charge of an eclectic mix of teams, from the Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan to the Canadian national team to Fenerbahce in Turkey.

In Australia, the jury is still out on whether or not the German is the right man to lead the Socceroos, but the fact that he has thus far done what was expected of him in terms of reaching the finals has no doubt earned him grudging respect.

One thing is certain: Osieck's primary concern is not his own popularity, something that was clearly demonstrated in the closing stages of the match against Iraq when he hooked national hero Tim Cahill and replaced him with Kennedy.

That decision ultimately proved a masterstroke, and showed that Osieck's no-nonsense approach may be just what the Socceroos need.

Formation

After much experimentation, Osieck finally settled on a favored starting lineup for Australia's last three qualifying matches.

The formation could be called a flexible 4-2-3-1, with Mark Schwartzer in goal, Luke Wilkshire at right back, Lucas Neill and Sasa Ognenovski in the centre of defense and Matt McKay at left back. Mark Milligan was the deepest midfielder, with Mark Bresciano given license to roam just in front of him, and Tommy Oar and Robbie Kruse providing speed down the left and right flanks respectively. Brett Holman and Tim Cahill were the most advanced players in the middle, with the New York Red Bulls player usually acting as the target man.

Key Strength

It may be cliche, but the Socceroos continue to reap the benefits of an incredibly strong team spirit, work ethic and never-say-die attitude. This gritty determination has seen them punch above their weight on countless occasions over the past decade or so, and became apparent once more in the closing stages of their qualification campaign.

If they are to make their mark in Brazil, young wingers Tommy Oar and Robbie Kruse will have to continue to develop as dangerous attacking weapons, and veterans like Mark Bresciano and Tim Cahill will again be called on to provide the match-winning spark.

Noticeable Weakness

The average age of the lineup that took on Iraq was 30.6, and this figure points to the difficulties Australia has had in replacing their "golden generation" of stars who first led them to the World Cup in 2006.

Continued dependence on those veterans means this Socceroos side is somewhat lacking in dynamism and, most importantly, pace.

Aging legs in the backline is of particular concern, especially considering Australia's defense was horribly exposed by Germany at the last World Cup, and the likes of Neill and Wilkshire will be four years older this time around.

Projection

Australia will need to find the right balance between youth and experience before the World Cup kicks off in a year's time, and that will mean giving more responsibility to Oar and Kruse, further integrating other youngsters like Celtic playmaker Tom Rogic into the side and unearthing a couple of defenders to act as backups, and eventual replacements, for the stalwarts at the back.

Much will depend on the makeup of Australia's group in Brazil, but if they can match their achievements of 2006 by advancing to the Round of 16, it will likely be considered a successful tournament for the Socceroos.

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USA vs. Honduras: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Timothy Rapp — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:15:00 -0400

For the United States, Tuesday night's matchup against Honduras in Utah is a golden chance to seriously bolster its World Cup qualifying position. Already atop the Hexagonal with 10 points, the U.S. could reach 13 points with just four games remaining and be sitting quite pretty.

For Honduras, the game isn't a must-win—road games in the Hex rarely are—but the team is currently in fourth place after five games, putting them in the playoff position against New Zealand. With Panama just a point behind in fifth, Honduras will at least want to steal a point.

It should be a cracker of a match, folks. Let's break it down.

When: Tuesday, June 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah

Watch: ESPN

Stream: WatchESPN (where available)

What They're Saying

Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated previews each side's roster ahead of this match, and things aren't looking to good for Honduras:

As for the U.S., Klinsmann now has the luxury of depth, so much so that Geoff Cameron (who was terrific against Panama) may not even start on Tuesday if Jermaine Jones is able to return from his mild concussion. Right midfielder Graham Zusi also comes back after a yellow-card suspension, which means Eddie Johnson might also be dropped from the lineup through no fault of his own. The big lineup question comes at left back, where DaMarcus Beasley is out on yellows and Klinsmann could either insert Edgar Castillo or move Fabian Johnson back from left midfield (with Eddie Johnson slotting in there).

The Hondurans' depth will be tested even more. Tough center back Muma Bernárdez and midfielder Luis Garrido are suspended. Meanwhile, injuries have taken out Maynor Figueroa and (most likely) Óscar Boniek García, and forward Jerry Bengtson left camp after clashing with coach Luis Suárez.

United States Player to Watch: Jozy Altidore

There are a few things the United States absolutely needs to be successful. Its needs Michael Bradley positioned as the lynchpin of the midfield. It needs Clint Dempsey playing the role of creative playmaker. The back line must be playing as a cohesive unit.

And of course, Jozy Altidore must be finding his way unto the score sheet. Right now, that's the case.

The striker has been red-hot for the United States, scoring three goals in the past three games. Not surprisingly, the United States has won all three, two in World Cup qualifying and a friendly against Germany's B-squad.

Altidore is a physical presence in the box and gives the United States wingers a big target to hit on their crosses. If he can keep his scoring streak going and replicate his form from this year's AZ Alkmaar campaign (26 goals in all competitions), the United States will be tough to beat, at least for CONCACAF teams.

Honduras Player to Watch: Roger Espinoza

Honduras may be missing a ton of key players—seriously, this roster is in a state of chaos right now—but Roger Espinoza is still a force to be reckoned with in the midfield and bossed the first meeting between these teams.

The Wigan man—who will reside in a defensive midfielder role—is certainly used to anchoring a team hurting on talent, as his side was relegated this season. He was a key contributor in the team's 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, however.

Espinoza will be expected to win the ball back for Honduras and feed the ball forward in the attack. He'll have a big task against the United States.

Prediction

The United States is playing its best football in some time, while Honduras comes into this game with a watered-down lineup.

Without the Honduran heat to deal with in Utah, the United States should comfortably win this game, remain atop the Hexagonal and all but wrap up a spot in Brazil, winning 2-0.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are bossing CONCACAF.

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Brazil vs. Mexico: 1-on-1 Matchups That Will Decide Group-Stage Showdown

Steven Cook — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Two world-class clubs who got off to very different starts at the 2013 Confederations Cup will square off Wednesday in a heated affair as Brazil takes on Mexico, and the match will come down to one-on-one showdowns.

The host country is looking to continue to build off a young core of Neymar and Hulk that they hope will reap success at next year's World Cup. The Brazilians got off to a strong start in doing so, with a 3-0 opening-match victory over Japan.

Meanwhile, Mexico battled to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Italy and a game-winner from Mario Balotelli. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez notched the only goal for El Tri as the Italian defense stood tall and stifled a strong attack.

Brazil will advance to the semifinals with a win, while Mexico must at least draw in order to stay alive.

Let's take a look at the one-on-one matchups that will decide Wednesday's Group A match.

Javier Hernandez vs. David Luiz

Mexico has been starved for goals lately, but that's not from the lack of effort from star striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez. He's been all over the place as usual, and it'll be up to a stingy Brazilian defensive line to stop him.

That all starts with centre-back David Luiz, who outplays his 6'2" frame and uses his size well.

The 26-year-old has become a staple in Brazil's back line and he'll be tasked with containing Chicharito on most of his scoring chances. The Mexico star is one of the most elusive players in world football, and it'll be a tall task for Luiz to stay in front of him for 90 minutes.

There's not really a conceivable way of Mexico winning without Hernandez playing at his best, and Luiz is just the guy to stop him if you're Brazil. The only question is speed, but Luiz has surprised with bursts of quickness at times.

Both of these elite players will have their hands full with the other, and it'll be a showdown that will be the absolute biggest factor in Mexico's ability to find the net.

Neymar vs. Hector Moreno

Neymar has a slightly dimmed down feel of Chicharito's value to his team. They can win without him playing at his best, but it's not likely.

The new Barcelona star has already made shock waves through the Confederations Cup with this 25-foot beauty of a volley against Japan, but he'll really make his mark with another scintillating performance against Mexico.

But Mexico's defensive prowess cannot be ignored. Led by centre-back Hector Moreno, El Tri boast a strong core that doesn't take giving up goals too kindly.

The Espanyol star defender has turned into the leader of Mexico's defense and at 25, he's just hitting his prime.

Mexico has had their struggles on offense, but it's the defensive intensity that has kept them alive amidst the goals drought. They'll pride themselves on that even more so than usual against a dangerous Brazil attack.

Neymar will be all over the pitch and a number of Mexican defenders will be tasked with guarding him, but none more so than Moreno. And the way that battle ensues will go a long way in telling us who will prevail.

Giovani dos Santos vs. Marcelo

Mexican forward Giovani dos Santos has endured his fair share of heartache with recently relegated La Liga club RCD Mallorca, but he seems to always turn it on when he puts his green shirt on.

Dos Santos was off to his usual pesky ways again in their match against Italy, when he picked off the clumsy possession of Andrea Barzagli and was taken down in the box, setting up Chicharito's penalty shot that would end up being Mexico's only goal in the contest.

With Hernandez demanding so much attention as usual, dos Santos will be free to roam and pester Brazil's defenders again. One of those might be left back Marcelo.

The 25-year-old Real Madrid man takes his share of possessions down the field as an occasional winger, and you can bet dos Santos will be eyeing in on his takes as he looks to make more game-changing plays.

Just as well, Marcelo's ability to lock it down on defense and stifle dos Santos while he has the ball will end up being a telling factor in their ability to generate scoring chances.

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