Team USA and Belgium are playing live on the World Cup 2014 schedule in the round of 16 and the match is from Salvador at the Arena Fonte Nova Stadium on ESPN at 4 pm ET and streaming on the WatchESPN website as the United States tries to clinch a spot in the quarters out of the group of death in the last 16 and the US will be with Jozy Altidore, but it's unclear how much he will play.
The United States started off their World Cup campaign with a win and that was against Ghana and now the team plays against Portugal in Manaus before a final showdown with Germany. The German side are the favorites in this group and they pulled a draw in their game against Ghana after rallying from behind and now Portugal comes in looking to bounce back from their opening loss to Germany and right now the United States is in second place with three points in Group G.
Jurgen Klinsmann said that his team will be prepared for the harsh weather in Manaus, which is expected to be hot, humid and rainy and that could have a big effect on the match. Ronaldo will start, but he has a knee injury that has been bothering him, while Clint Dempsey had his nose fractured in the game against Ghana. Klinsmann said that the team has been prepared for the hot weather heading into Brazil and he compared it to CONCACAF matchups and games the team has played South of the border. Dempsey scored a goal 30 seconds into the game against Ghana and the team was able to hold the lead into the 80th minute before giving up a goal.
The United States had three points in the bag before allowing that goal to Ghana, but they did not give up and after a corner from Graham Zusi went into the attacking area, sub John Brooks got it into the net and gave the US a dramatic win and three crucial points. All was not well for the team though, as Jozy Altidore came down with a hamstring injury and now he will be out for the matchup against Portugal and possibly more. The Germany game will be tough without Altidore, but the team now controls its own destiny, as they can lock up a spot into the next round with a win against Portugal.
The US has a big choice to make about who replaces Altidore, as Aron Johannsson came in after he was hurt and another option could be Chris Wolkonowski, one of the top scorers in the MLS. The team has relied on Altidore heavily over the past year in qualifying and he was the player Klinsmann put the most responsibility into and now players like Dempsey and Michael Bradley need to step up to try and get a point here for the United States.
Any result apart from a loss is good for the team, but they could really surprise everyone with a win and that might be the best thing with Portugal coming in down a man and also after losing 4-0 to Germany. Pepe is out after getting a red card and that could help turn the tide for the US with Ronaldo banged up.
Check here for the United States and Belgium Live coverage from ESPN for the World Cup.
