WORLD CUP USA ’94 / ROUND OF 16 : TODAY’S GAMES AT A GLANCE : At Stanford Stadium Palo Alto

United States vs. Brazil

* TIME: 12:30 p.m.

* TV: ABC, Univision

* KEY MATCHUPS: Both teams have question marks in the midfield. Brazil dumped Rai, who had been under fire for his ineffective play, so lost are Rai’s organizational skills in favor of Mazinho’s bursts of speed. The United States must replace John Harkes, who is serving a one-game suspension. It will be a key decision as the United States must hold the ball in the midfield if it hopes to fend off the Brazilian attack. That attack is led by Romario and Bebeto, forwards who give defenders chills. The task for the U.S. defense will be to stay compact--a problem against Switzerland and Romania--and stay in its zone defense. No one can successfully man-mark Brazil. As always, the U.S. team will look to score off dead-ball situations, so corner kicks and free kicks become prominent in its offensive game plan. If the United States relies on counterattacking, it must launch quickly and take advantage of the speed of Ernie Stewart, Eric Wynalda, and, should he play, Cobi Jones.

* OUTLOOK: Brazil will do what it does best, attack. If it can get an early goal, look for the team to sit back and hold the lead. The U.S. team will sit back from the start, attempt to snag the ball and counterattack. However, this plays into the U.S. deficiency of taking an inordinate amount of time working the ball up from the back. By the time the ball gets to the strikers, two or three defenders are waiting. The United States has not scored against Brazil since 1930 and, while the Brazilian defense takes more risks today, it has allowed only one goal in the tournament. U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola has faced more shots than any other keeper in the tournament and today could be busy.

* OUTCOME: Brazil is playing better than any team in the tournament. If the Dutch play total football, then Brazil practices complete football, with every player capable of attacking and willing to defend. The team has no weaknesses. The United States has done well to advance and no doubt will gain some advantage playing at home on Independence Day. Won’t matter. Brazil will win.