Must win

Technically, the U.S. does not need a win over El Salvador tonight to get through to the quarterfinals. They could tie and still win the group. But Bob Bradley has said they weren't going to change their approach to the game from their approach to any other game this year. As such, I wouldn't expect them to play for a result but rather go for the win.

Really, I wouldn't expect any less from Bob Bradley. This is his chance to show to another CONCACAF team the United States' worth as a rival and a regional power. So far, the U.S. has beaten Mexico, Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago this year in games against regional opponents. In those games, the U.S. is 3-0-1 and has outscored their opponents 5-0 in those games.

Bradley probably will go with a strong team as opposed to Saturday's young and untested lineup. I think he'll err on the side of caution and rest Bocanegra and Hejduk so we could see a backline of Bornstein-DeMerit-Onyewu-Spector... which is actually a young and untested backline.

El Salvador didn't offer much in the form of offense against Guatemala on Saturday so I expect to see them give up possession to the U.S. and try for a draw, which would be good enough to get them through to the quarters.