The United States will make their third straight appearance in the knockout round of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup when they take on Group F winners Germany on Thursday evening (7:00 am ET on ESPNU) in Cheonan, South Korea.

After losing their first two Group E games to Tajikistan and Tunisia, the Americans are making an improbable appearance in the Round of 16 following a 2-0 victory over Belgium.

The US were helped by Tunisia, who eked out a late victory over Tajikistan to leave three teams with three points each. The results gave the Americans an advantage on goals scored, while Belgium were sent packing due to a -3 goal differential.

The United States will have their work cut out for them as Germany is coming off of a 5-0 drubbing of Trinidad & Tobago, and finished the first round second behind Brazil in goals scored with 11.

The defense let the US youths down in their first two games, but John Hackworth's men put in a dominating performance on both sides of the ball against Belgium. They finished with 21 shots, including 12 on goal and got a shutout from Josh Lambo to close out the round.

If the US hope to advance to the quarterfinals for the fourth time in the last five tourneys, they are going to have to greatly improve on their finishing.

Key to the United States attack is Alex Nimo, the diminutive winger from Portland by way of Liberia and a Ghanaian refugee camp. Though Nimo has not scored, he has improved in confidence with each game and caused the Belgians a lot of trouble.

Two players who made their first appearances against Belgium in Kirk Urso and Lambo, should figure against a German side. Urso put the United States on top with the game's first goal.

Meanwhile, Germany scored five goals in their final match to beat out Ghana for 1st place, all without extremely talented playmaker Toni Kroos. The Bayern Munich youth product scored two goals against Ghana and confidently wears the #10 shirt.

Germany rested all of their players who held a risk of suspension for the Round of 16 match. The strategy worked perfectly, leaving the Rhineland boys at full strength for Thursday's game.

Meanwhile, the US will be without the services of forward Billy Schuler, who will sit out the knockout match due to yellow card suspension.