World Cup Preview: Portugal v USA
USA - Portugal | News Archive
Struggling for form...Rui Costa (Reuters)
06/04/2002. BACKGROUND
Europe's answer to Brazil will take centre-stage in Suwon on Wednesday, when the silky-skilled Portuguese take on an improved side from the United States of America. It has been 16 long years since Portugal last featured in a World Cup and they have every intention of making up on lost time by winning it all this time around.
Indeed, it's high time Portugal's 'Golden Generation' live up to the immense promise they first delivered at the youth level when a celebrated team starring Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and Jorge Costa made the world take notice by conquering the 1989 and 1991 U-20 World Cups. So much was expected of the Portuguese after they so stylishly dominated the youth scene in the early 90's but although they have lived up to their potential individually, collectively they have flattered to deceive ?though they did make it to the semifinals of Euro 2000 before controversially crashing out against eventual champions France.
On paper this looks the best Portuguese side ever put together, especially considering that the late-blooming Bordeaux striker Pauleta appears to be the reliable goal-machine the Iberian nation have been craving for so long. There is big concern about the form of two Portugal's main-men, however, as Luis Figo and Rui Costa are both coming off disappointing, injury-bedeviled seasons. As Figo and Costa go, so do Portugal, which makes it no overstatement to say that the country's hopes rest on whether the playmaking pair will be at their wicked best this summer.
The United States are hoping to exorcise some of the demons from their last-place finish in France '98, and much unlike their opening round match against Germany four years ago, team USA will be playing for three points on Wednesday against Portugal. While cognizant of the fact that Portugal has an outstanding team, Bruce Arena and his players know that if they want to advance they have to approach every game as an opportunity to obtain as many points as possible.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Portugal coach Antonio Oliveira will have to reckon without the services of Abel Xavier and Paulo Sousa, as the two have been ruled out of the opener against the Americans through injury. Sousa's absence is easier to cover due to the side's embarrassment of riches in midfield, and although Xavier's capability and versatility will be missed he should be ably replaced by Sporting Lisbon defender Beto.
Brad Friedel is expected to start in goal for team USA, but the ultra-secretive Bruce Arena still may opt for Kasey Keller. The point is, nobody really will know for sure what Arena has in mind until the match kicks off on Wednesday. Also of note are lingering injuries to USA captain Claudio Reyna and striker Clint Mathis that would be a crippling blow to USA's chances not only in the opener, but for the entire first round, if one or both are forced to sit. Already without defensive midfielder Chris Armas, the team especially can ill-afford to lose Reyna's leadership and all-around skills in the central midfield.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Portugal (4-5-1): Ricardo ?Frechaut, Couto, Costa, Jorge - Joao Pinto, Rui Costa, Petit, Conceicao, Figo ?Pauleta.
USA (4-4-2): Friedel - Sanneh, Pope, Agoos, Hejduk - Stewart, Donovan, O'Brien, Beasley ?Mastroeni, McBride.
WHO'S HOT
Pualeta: The 29-year-old Bordeaux forward will be rearing to bang them in, having just been crowned joint top-scorer and 'Player's Player of the Year' in France.
DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan: This duo of 20-year olds has gone from exciting young future-stars to World Cup 2002 starters. Both are expected to line up against Portugal, and it is because both have proven their ability to play game after game in 2002 with the senior national team.
WHO'S NOT
Luis Figo and Rui Costa: The shaky form of these two greats is Portugal's biggest worries at the moment. Regardless of who you support, you've gotta love a fantasista, so let us all hope for the sake of football that we can elevate these two to the "Who's Hot" section soon.
Claudio Reyna and Clint Mathis: Both are considered the two best players on team USA (goalkeepers not included), yet neither has been able to nail down a clean bill of health when the team needs them most. Of course, they cannot be faulted fully for injuries, but their string of untimely injuries is just bad luck, plain and simple--the type of luck that can ruin a team's chances.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
USA 1-0 Portugal June 3, 1992
Portugal 1-0 USA December 19, 1990
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