Clint Dempsey and the US will be looking to upset Belgium Tuesday. (Getty Images)
USA vs. Belgium | Kickoff: 7/1, 4 p.m. ET | Stadium: Fonte Nova, Salvador
Match Preview: The United States will have the opportunity Tuesday to move into the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 2002 and just the third time in history.
There's two ways the Round of 16 match against Belgium can be viewed. First, the US was able to somehow navigate the so-called "Group of Death," something few gave them much of a chance of doing. At this point, really, they're playing with the house's money. Any success, however minor, beyond the group stage is cause for celebration.
On the other hand, Belgium is a team the United States can beat.
Of course this latter stance takes some qualifying. Belgium is teeming with professional talent -- their roster features 12 players from the English Premier League -- and they've yet to lose while in Brazil. Plus, in a friendly last year, the Belgians smoked the Americans, 4-2.
Certainly, there's plenty working against the US, especially in terms of overall talent. But there are some positives. Belgium is banged up, especially in the defensive third, where they may be without standout and captain Vincent Kompany, among others. The Americans got a bit of good news Monday on their own injury front when it was announced that striker Jozy Altidore will be available for the game. Possibly having Altidore with Dempsey up front greatly improves the American attack, which looked quite weak against Germany.
And while Belgium still boasts an advantage, they haven't looked like the powerful, cohesive unit that was expected of them. But they've taken care of business, winning every game so far this World Cup.
When it comes down to it, Belgium should win Tuesday. They have the superior side, and the US defense has been shaky and their possession quite weak. But it's certainly not a given.
This is a Belgium team that has looked shaky and vulnerable itself, and someone will take them down. It just may not be the Americans.
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