Destination Daegu

U.S. ponders changes for South Korea match

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By Paul Kennedy, Soccer America

SEOUL -- Daegu suddenly becomes the place to be Monday afternoon: South Korea-U.S., the meeting of the surprise leaders of Group D.

The U.S. players and coaching staff tried to put Wednesday's big win over Portugal quickly behind them. Coach Bruce Arena said he was in bed by 11 p.m.

"You've got to look forward," said Arena. "You can't live on that day."

The United States will face several big challenges.

South Korea has the home-field advantage. The support of the Red Devils, Korea's supporters, has been one of the big stories of the World Cup.

Arena said his players were not intimidated by playing in such an atmosphere. "Playing in Mexico City at Azteca Stadium with 110,000 fans is like you're [being swarmed by] bumble bees," said striker Brian McBride.

From Sports Illustrated • Grant Wahl: An "unbelievable" result • World Cup Preview: Viva Italia • Covers Gallery: Through the years Features • 91st Minute: France in peril • Pedro Pinto: Portugal repeats its mistakes • Terry Baddoo: Quite a night • Cup of Joe: Korea swathed in red • World Cup Hall of Fame: Top 100 • Scores | Schedules and Standings From Soccer America • Mahoney: It was in the tactics • Archive: Coverage from Korea From CNN.com • Demaria: Temples open to football • Special Coverage: CNN.com Europe From Time.com • World Cup Weblog • Full Coverage: Insight from Korea/Japan

South Korea will have an extra day of rest, and the match will be played in the afternoon in Daegu, one of Korea's hottest cities. Arena dismissed the effect the conditions will have on the team, but he said that the game would not played at the same pace as the U.S.-Portugal.

"The game is not going to be played at a frantic pace, regardless of the fitness level of the players," Arena said. Still, the Korean pressing game is expected to test the United States, especially in the back.

Besides changes in the U.S. lineup based on fitness questions -- Claudio Reyna possibly returning and Earnie Stewart possibly being out with a groin injury -- Arena may make some changes to keep his players fresh.

The key game may not turn out to be against South Korea. It could be the Poland game the following Friday in Daejeon. If the U.S. needs a win in the final group game, Arena will need enough players with something left to challenge the physical Poles, who lost 2-0 to South Korea on Tuesday.

Paul Kennedy is managing editor at Soccer America magazine.

 

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