DeMerit Relishing Seleçao Showdown by Sean O'Conor - September 8, 2007 |
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| ▪ USMNT Not in Friendly Mood | |
Watford defender Jay DeMerit says the US National Team will have to pull out all the stops to beat an almost full strength Brazil at Soldier Field on Sunday. |
▪ Arnaud Eager to Debut |
| ▪ US Depth Lifts Cherundolo | |
| The center back, if selected, could be tasked with shutting down the likes of Kaká, Ronaldinho and Vágner Love, and is well aware of the awesome task at hand. "They've brought in most of their good players," DeMerit told American Soccer Daily. "I'm sure they're expecting to put in a good performance, so we'll have to match that if we’re going to stand a chance. Our main focus is to prepare for them right, and if we're right on the day, you never know what can happen." The challenge of the visiting five times world champions is also one which the US was in need of, according to DeMerit. "We're never going to get better playing as a team unless we get used to playing against the best competition out there," he stated. "In the last two games, we have played a lot of top talent. It's a testament to Bob that teams as good as Sweden and Brazil want to play us, so we must be moving in the right direction." DeMerit also admitted the week-long camp will have been invaluable when it comes to competing with a soccer nation ranked 1st in the latest FIFA World Rankings, 16 places above the US. "We don't get to meet up that often, so when we do it's good to do it for a big chunk of time where we can actually work on things," he said. "On the short camps you are in and out - you train and then you play, so you can't really work on things." "Obviously, we have to know what they are going to be doing, how they counterattack and where their threats are, etc. - but the main thing we need to focus on is playing well as a team, and most importantly, playing together." When the Seleçao shows up at Soldier Field this weekend, DeMerit will be looking to add to his five caps for the National Team, which included appearances in this summer's Gold Cup and Copa America. "Bob has not announced the team yet, but I imagine he will play the normal lineup he has been using for most of his games, as most of those guys are in," he predicted. "I'm just hoping he keeps me involved a little bit and then I'll go from there." The Wisconsin-born defender has more than one reason to be happy he is in the Windy City on Sunday. The 27 year-old started his road to the USMNT with the Chicago Sockers (as did Michael Bradley and Jonathan Spector) before representing the University of Illinois at Chicago. "It's nice to be back around here," admitted DeMerit. "And I've got 39 friends and relatives coming on Sunday! Anyone who loves soccer will want to come and watch Brazil, so if we get the people in the stadium we will try to give them the best game possible." US v Brazil kicks off on Sunday at 3:00 pm CT, live on espn2. |
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