USA vs. Brazil: Biggest Keys to Americans Pulling off Massive Upset in Friendly

In 16 all-time meetings the United States men's soccer national team has defeated Brazil only once, but the Americans will look to double that total on Wednesday as they host the Brazilians at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., for a friendly matchup.

The USA is coming off its most impressive win under head coach Jurgen Klinsmann as it destroyed Scotland 5-1 this past weekend. The red, white and blue were banging on all cylinders and will look to carry that momentum into a tough battle against the five-time world champions.

Team USA is on a four-game winning streak in friendly competition, but has yet to meet such a strong opponent. Here are three things the Americans must do if they hope to have any chance of upsetting El Canarinho on Wednesday night.

Remain on the Attack

Just three years ago the United States was well on its way to perhaps its biggest victory in team history. The Americans had already knocked off Spain and had Brazil on the ropes with a 2-0 lead in the 2009 Confederations Cup final.

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan each netted goals to give the United States control in the first half, but the spectacular Brazilians answered with three tallies in the second half, the last being a dagger by Lucio in the 84th minute.

While it can be said that Brazil was simply the better team, there were some tactical errors that contributed to that blown lead.

Rather than keeping the pedal to the metal in the second half like the Americans had done earlier in the match, they went into a defensive shell and paid dearly for it.

Brazil controlled the ball for the vast majority of the second half and made that possession edge count. If the Americans jump out to a lead, Klinsmann can't afford to make the same mistake that Bob Bradley did when he was the head man in 2009.

Get Clint Dempsey in the Game as a Reserve

With 17 goals for Fulham in the English Premier League this past season, there is little doubt that Clint Dempsey is Team USA's best offensive finisher.

Dempsey missed the friendly against Scotland with a groin injury, and while the Americans didn't miss him as they went on to rout the Scots, Dempsey's presence will be integral vs. Brazil. Unfortunately for Klinsmann, Dempsey has said that he doesn't anticipate being able to start on Wednesday, according to Simon Borg of MLSsoccer.com. 

Dempsey has been trying to work the kinks out, however, so there is still a chance that he'll be available to play. Even if Dempsey can't start and play a full 90 minutes, the United States is going to need him against Brazil.

Even if he can't play at full speed, Dempsey would be a major asset late in the game if the US is tied or trailing. Even if Dempsey is nothing other than a decoy, he will open up space for Landon Donovan and other offensive players. Dempsey's mere presence is huge, so the Americans are going to need him in some capacity.

Run the Offense Through Landon Donovan

After a nine-month absence with the national team due to various injuries and illnesses, Landon Donovan returned with a bang on Saturday against Scotland.

Donovan was dazzling as he racked up a hat trick en route to a 5-1 win over the Scotsmen. Donovan may be getting up there in years at the age of 30, but he is the best American player of all time and is still the squad's top all-around player. Donovan was key in the USA getting a 2-0 lead over Brazil in the Confederations Cup two years ago, and he'll have to be similarly great on Wednesday.

Depending upon Dempsey's status, Donovan can either take on more of a facilitator role in the midfield or he can be a finisher like he was this past weekend. Either way, everything has to run through Donovan if the Americans are going to compete with Brazil. No other American can play with enough pace and skill to neutralize the Brazilian attack, so Donovan is going to have to be at his very best.

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