The first round of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying went more or less as predicted in Group A -- the United States overwhelmed an outmatched Canada side, and Cuba played Panama to a standstill. Now the US and their island neighbors face off with a lot on the line.
USA vs. Cuba 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Olympic soccer qualifying online
Can the United States make it two wins in a row in Olympic qualifying?
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If the USMNT can get a win here, they guarantee themselves a place in the semifinals of the qualifying tournament, no matter what happens in the rest of the group stage. At six points, they could only be caught by one of Panama or Canada, and that relies on them winning both remaining matches. If Panama and Canada draw their match against each other, that would hand the top spot in the group to the United States.
Cuba, on the other hand, can upset the balance if they beat the odds and get a win against the USMNT. At four points, they’d be on top of the group with just one match to go, potentially with Panama even with them on points. That would throw the group wide open and could even wind up with the United States not making it to the semifinals, a situation that was almost unthinkable coming into the qualifying tournament. Setting that scenario up will take a major, major upset for Cuba to pull off -- but it’s not impossible, and we all know how this sport tends to find the most dramatic scenarios possible.
Key player -- Emerson Hyndman (United States)
This is a match that the USMNT will need to control the pace and dictate the run of play in, because Cuba are going to be a big threat to them off the counter. That’s going to put a lot of demand on their midfielders working up and down the pitch, and on Hyndman in particular. He’s their best box-to-box midfielder,and his energy and tactical awareness will be vital in this match to help keep the US playing strongly and out of trouble.
Key matchup -- Cameron Carter-Vickers (United States) vs. Maykel Reyes (Cuba)
Reyes scored Cuba’s lone goal on Thursday, and all match long he was their most consistent threat against Panama. Fortunately the USMNT has a good answer to Reyes’ danger on Cuba’s front line in Carter-Vickers, who was brilliant against Canada in their group-opening match. The teenage defender was frequently targeted and hard-pressed by Canada’s attack, and he never once backed down or looked overwhelmed. If he can keep up that level of performance, Reyes is in a heap of trouble.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: Sporting Park, Kansas City, Mo.
TV: Telemundo (U.S. -- Spanish)
Online: NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (U.S. -- Spanish)
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