Preview- Adu vs The Duck

Tonight's matchup between the US U20's and Brazil U20's promises to be an appetizing affair. Both teams burst to life in their last game after disappointing in their first. The US scraped through their first match with South Korea managing to escape with a draw. The South Koreans high pressure and incredible quickness never allowed the US to settle, while creating numerous chances themselves with ease yet were not able to finish. Brazil started off their campaign against Poland. Poland jumped on the board early after a fantastic free kick. Several minutes later, however, the Poles were down to 10 men. Yet despite the odds, Poland showed a determination to defend at all costs and hold off their Brazilian opponents. Brazil lacked any kind of killer instinct or creativeness in the attacking third. While they maintained possession nicely, they seemed content with merely trying to dribble their way through a wall of Polish defenders. Repeatedly, the Poles repelled these rather futile efforts and never really seemed like relinquishing their lead.

Things were different in the second game for both teams. Obviously, the US ran riot on Poland, drubbing them 6-1 with a spectacular performance from Freddy Adu amongst others. Adu was rather quiet in his first game, and while playing a few nice balls he did not see the ball enough and when he did was rather easily knocked off it. This game, however, was a completely different story as the delivered a dominating performance the US soccer public has craved since he arrived on the scene at 13 years of age. It must be said that Adu has not lived up to the hype (then again who would...the poor kid was never going to meet the demands MLS and the public eye placed on him) since signing for MLS. While Adu has certainly shown glimpses of his immense potential, he has never truly put together a full 90 minutes in which he dominates. His game against Poland, however, was just that. A dominating, graceful, skillful, intelligent, display from the US captain. It was easily his best performance to date.

Brazil also managed to turn their fortunes around, although not nearly in the emphatic way that the US had. Brazil managed to put themselves up 3-0 thanks to 2 goals by Alexandre Pato, however, the Koreans were able to claw their way back into the match with 2 goals late goals to make things interesting in the last few moments of the match. Pato, or 'The Duck'- a nickname garnered from the name of his hometown- is the man the world has its eyes on from the Brazil team. Arriving on the international scene with his display at the FIFA World Club Championships for eventualy winners Internacional, Pato is now being heavily chased by the likes of Chelsea and AC Milan. Like Adu, the hype surrounding Pato is immense and the youngster will be looking to make his mark in this tournament to justify a major transfer in the summer window.

While I am not trying to diminish the quality of the rest of the US and Brazilian teams, all eyes will be on these two potentials in tonight's matchup. While the two players are hardly similar in playing stile, both teams will need good performances from both their stars to achieve success in this match and tournament. Pato is a true striker- a great goalscorer, with impeccable technique and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Adu on the other hand is a traditional number 10- adept at picking up the ball and running at players on the dribble as well as being able to open up the game with his vision and exquisite passing. Both donning the number 11, it will certainly make for a mouthwatering affair.

I am predicting a high scoring affair with the defenses of both teams easily being their weak links. I'm predicting a 2-2 tie giving the US the point they need to ensure passage onto the next round.