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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Portugal taking on the United States is like David taking on Goliath -- with Portugal in the role of Goliath in the teams' World Cup group D opening game on Wednesday. Portugal, a small country of 10 million people, has produced some of Europe's best talent over the past decade, including world player of the year Luis Figo, and is ranked fifth in the world. Many of the players on the national side have competed together since they won two world youth championships, in 1989 and 1991. Most of them play on top European clubs. Portugal reached the semifinals of the European championship two years ago. Undefeated in its 10 World Cup qualifying games, Portugal also notched the highest number of goals in its group and the best goal average in Europe. The United States, meanwhile, is ranked 13th in the world and has yet to impose itself as a soccer power. Getting to the quarterfinals would be the greatest accomplishment for United States soccer in more than a half-century. Since returning to the World Cup in 1990 after a 40-year absence, the Americans have gone 1-8-1, including losses to Germany, Iran and Yugoslavia at the 1998 tournament in France. They were outscored 17-6 during their last three World Cup appearances, scoring just one goal in their last five games. Of the 32 teams in France '98, the Americans finished 32nd. "We realize that we're the favorites" to win Wednesday, Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa said Monday. U.S. coach Bruce Arena is under no illusions about Portugal's quality. "They have a great team and I know they have aspirations of winning this World Cup," he said. U.S. winger Earnie Stewart, who has played in the Dutch league, looks on the bright side. "It's probably one of the easiest games we play," he said, "because they are the favorites and we are the underdogs." Senegal's stunning win over defending world champion France in the tournament's opening match reminded the favored teams that they rest on their laurels at their peril. Group D also includes co-host South Korea and Poland. "We're going to be prudent. We accept our favoritism, but we're aware that the United States and other teams in the group are a lot stronger than some might think," Costa, an AC Milan playmaker, said. "The Americans have a very compact team, they're strong as a group and are physically powerful." Joao Pinto, an attacking midfielder at Sporting Lisbon who used to play with Costa at Benfica, said the squad planned to hunker down on Monday and Tuesday to examine videos of the American side. The United States came to South Korea with a revamped roster that includes 11 World Cup rookies. Portugal has an impressive lineup. It has a tough-guy central defense in Lazio Fernando Couto and Jorge Costa, known as "The Tank," of English side Charlton; a talented midfield duo of Figo and Costa; and a pacey attack made up of Bordeaux striker Pedro Pauleta, voted best player in France last season, and Fiorentina's Nuno Gomes. The statistics suggest a close encounter. The Americans won their most recent match-up against Portugal in 1992, 1-0. Portugal beat them 1-0 in 1990 in Portugal. They have played four times and neither team has scored more than one goal in games between them. The game has an extra edge for both sides. Portugal's so called "golden generation" still has no major trophy to its credit, and the United States is keen to bounce back from its disastrous performance four years ago. "This tournament is hugely important for the players of my generation," Portugal's Pinto said. "It's the competition we've missed out on. We don't want to waste our chance." Portugal has two casualties from its training sessions: Liverpool rightback Abel Xavier, whose torn thigh muscle will keep him out of Wednesday's game, and defensive midfielder Paulo Sousa, who is still in doubt.
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