I think it's fair to say that the USA fans are a bit excited about tonight. But should they be worried? Manager Jurgen Klinsmann isn't too happy about the choice of referee and had a fair bit to say on it.
Beyond all the hype ahead of tonight's match, it's worth considering whether USA actually have a chance tonight. And I for one reckon they do. If you look back at the Group stages, they were unlucky not to beat Portugal. That last minute pinpoint cross from Ronaldo was too good, but Portugal were not. The Germany match, USA exploited the fact they had not natural full backs. Belgium don't either. USA play attacking football, but you feel they need to bag an early goal if they are to keep pace tonight with the Belgians.
News coming in that Jozy Altidore will not be starting today's match
Big there from Roonaldo. My question is: who's not supporting the US of A today?
U.S. avoids disaster after an awful giveaway in midfield. Belgian shot goes wide left
22 MINS - CHANCE FOR BELGIUM! Susi coughs up possession in the centre circle and Belgium have men over. The ball is fed to Kevin De Bruyne who cuts inside onto his right foot and drags a weak shot wide of Howard's goal. Bad miss.
CHANCE BELGIUM: Vertongen streaks down the left and crosses it back for Fellaini but it's cleared off the line by the USA. All Belgium now and the USA are camped in their own half.
Terrific clear off the goal line by Beasley after Howard was beaten
28 Mins- It's a frantic pace in Salvador. The USA are under the cosh and absorbing a lot of pressure. Corner to Belgium.
Belgium have had 6 corners in under half an hour. Gives you an idea of the pressure the USA are under. But there's always the counter attack potential that USA showed against Portugal and Germany. They are up for this one.
Nice smother by Howard on the Belgium counterattack. U.S. being outplayed pretty heavily early, though
Fabian Johnson coming off with an apparent leg injury, DeAndre Yedlin replaces him in the 32nd minute
Jones fires one wide left off a Zusi corner
Second half, here we go..
Twelve of the 15 goals in the knockout stages so far have come after half-time ...
Second half underway in Brazil
CHANCE BELGIUM: De Bruyne crosses it to Mertens, who flicks it off the back of his head and it loops down to ward Howard, who palms it over his crossbar for a corner
Yedlin showing his potential going forward, terrorising the Belgian defence, but leaves a massive gap at right back. Belgium look to counter again but the ball is cleared. It's so end-to-end, I can barely type fast enough.
Another shot just wide of the frame by Belgium. 70th minute now, and somehow still scoreless
CHANCE BELGIUM: Witsel picks it up on the edge of the area and puts his foot through it. The shot is low but goes wide of Tim Howard's goal, but only just. USA starting to look tired, Klinsmann needs to freshen things up.
This time it's Besler with a huge stop, and the header off the corner goes wide. 84th minute
Jurgen Klinsmann says Jozy Altidore won't start. Not a surprise.by Jeremy Schaap via twitter 7/1/2014 6:44:14 PM
No wonder why Mourinho sold De Bruyne. Perfect example.by ☆KhanyaSmallz★ via twitter 7/1/2014 8:24:39 PM
by tgaume via twitter 7/1/2014 8:33:04 PM
Yedlin coming on. He can handle Hazard just like Juanfran did, only that he's fasterby surgical_sid via twitter 7/1/2014 8:33:20 PM
If the US get through, Yedlin better start the rest of the wayby jaime. via twitter 7/1/2014 9:25:47 PM
