There are some benefits to a blowout, and the biggest benefit is the opportunity to rest. That's what the United States Under-20 men's national team did before and during their last-16 win over New Zealand, a lopsided 4-0 victory that saw the U.S. team play as favorites.
In that match, the U.S. were able to rotate, allowing some key players a slight rest while giving new additions Rokas Pukstas and Kevin Paredes a soft launch into the team. Now, as the U.S. prepares to face Uruguay in the quarter-finals, there are no injuries, no fatigue and no suspensions, which can't be said about the opponents, who went down a man due to a red card in their win over Gambia on Thursday after watching the U.S. coast two days prior.
However, Mikey Varas does have some difficult decisions to make, even if they are the good kind. With a full complement of players plenty that want to, and perhaps deserve to, play. The U.S. has steamrolled everyone in their path so far, and with Pukstas and Paredes now fully up to speed with the team, Varas has to make some tough decisions.
Does he revert back to a 4-3-3 to accommodate some of his best players? Or does he stick with the five-man defense that has yet to allow a goal at this tournament?
GOAL takes a look at how the U.S. should line up against Uruguay: