Tie or Better Puts U.S. in Semifinals

With a tie or a victory against Germany today, the United States would find itself in the semifinals of the FIFA Confederations Cup.

“We have guys who are a lot hungrier than they are,” U.S. defender Gregg Berhalter said Thursday, a day after the Americans lost to Brazil, 1-0.

The United States and Germany are each 1-1, but the Americans would advance with a tie because of a better goal difference. Both teams had only one day off after their second first-round game.

“We should be able to get a pretty fresh team on the field,” Berhalter said. “I think we definitely have a more fit team than them.”

The United States beat Germany, 3-0, on Feb. 6, and even though it was an exhibition, it sparked a lot of criticism in Europe.

When the teams met in the first round of last year’s World Cup in France, Germany dominated in a 2-0 victory.

Because of the compressed first round of the tournament, U.S. Coach Bruce Arena plans to rest some regular starters.

“Even with well-conditioned athletes, it’s very difficult to play two games in three days,” he said.

The only U.S. player who definitely won’t play is defender Carlos Llamosa, who left Wednesday’s game because of a strained left thigh.

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In Confederations Cup matches Thursday, Marzouk Al Otaibi scored four goals as Saudi Arabia secured a semifinal berth with a 5-1 rout of Egypt, and Mexico defeated Bolivia, 1-0.

Mexico won Group A with seven points and Saudi Arabia finished second with four.