U.S. opener against Japan will be crucial

August 5, 2008
By Jeff Carlisle, ESPNsoccernet
TIANJIN, China -- One of the supposed benefits of having a round-robin format in the first round of a tournament is that with each team playing three games, one bad result isn't fatal. But given the slate of matches thrown at the U.S. men's Olympic team, Thursday's opening encounter against Japan has the feel of a one-game playoff, and anything less than a victory will deal a devastating blow to the Americans' chances of advancing.



With the Netherlands and Nigeria the favorites ...

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U.S. men 2008 Olympics

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The U.S. men's national team is competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The women's tournament will run from Aug. 7 to Aug. 22.

Previews

• Carlisle: Tall order for U.S. men in group stages
• Carlisle: Ranking the contenders
• Canales: U.S. men's Olympic roster overview

Features

• Folarin: Q&A with Brad Guzan
• Galarcep: Possible changes in store
Group Stage

Aug. 7, U.S. vs. Japan

• Preview | Recap
• Carlisle: Edu excels for U.S. against Japan

Aug. 10, U.S. vs. Netherlands

• Preview | Recap
• Carlisle: U.S. deserved more
• Carlisle: Bradley, Adu out with suspension

Aug. 13, U.S. vs. Nigeria

• Preview | Recap
• Carlisle: Lack of discipline costs U.S.
• Hush: Thoughts on the game
• Carlisle: Orozco's red costs U.S. dearly

Post-tournament
• Carlisle: Moral victories no longer suffice
• Galarcep: Post-tourney stock watch

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