WORLD CUP TODAY: TUESDAY, JULY 1
It’s go time, as the United States of America are one of only 10 teams remaining in the hunt for the title of 2014 World Cup champions.
The Yanks will hope to join Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Costa Rica, the Netherlands and either Switzerland or Argentina in the quarterfinals by beating Belgium on Tuesday at 4pm ET.
Monday saw Germany eek out an extra time win over valiant Algeria, while France beat Nigeria with a late charge to the final whistle.
[ MORE US/BELGIUM: Belgium’s injuries | Klinsmann questions referee | Match preview ]
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MATCH 55: ARGENTINA VS. SWITZERLAND
Location: Arena de São Paulo, São Paulo
Time: Noon ET
SOCCERLY PREVIEW | SOCCERLY MATCHCENTER
Cheater’s Guide
Argentina has won the World Cup twice before and has the best player in the world in Lionel Messi (These stats support the adjective choice). Switzerland is hoping to live up to its claims that its Top Ten FIFA ranking is warranted after finishing second in Group E to France.
What they’re saying
Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld on Monday: “How to stop Messi? We’ll show you tomorrow how we do it.”
History
Argentina boasts two wins and a draw.
Premier League Players
Argentina: Manchester City has three representatives in Pablo Zabaleta, Martín Demichelis and Sergio Agüero.
Switzerland – Philippe Senderos (Aston Villa)
RELATED: World Cup news, analysis from Soccerly
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MATCH 56: BELGIUM VS. UNITED STATES
Location: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Time: 4pm ET
SOCCERLY PREVIEW | SOCCERLY MATCHCENTER
Cheater’s Guide
Belgium is a talented side featured Eden Hazard and has roundly been considered the dark horse of the tournament (which makes them a favorite, right? A lighter horse, at the least?). They won all three of their group matches by one goal, while the United States are coming off a second-place finish in Group G.
What they’re saying
US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann on the selection of Algerian referee Djamel Haimoudi: “He is able to speak French with their players on the field, not with us, and it is a country we beat in the last World Cup. Sometimes I don’t understand FIFA. I know it is difficult to always choose the right referee for the right games… We give it the benefit of the doubt. We hope it is not a concern, we know he did two games already and he did them very well. We hope he continues to referee in the perfect way.”
History
Belgium has won two of three, with the United States only win coming at World Cup… 1930.
Premier League players
Belgium: Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Eden Hazard(Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)
United States: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa); Tim Howard (Everton); Geoff Cameron (Stoke City); Jozy Altidore (Sunderland
MLS players
United States: Michael Bradley (Toronto FC); Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo); Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy); Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake); Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes); Clint Dempsey, DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders); Matt Besler, Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
