October is an important month for both the USMNT and the Brazil soccer team as both nations return to competitive matches. Tuesday's friendly match at the Gillette Stadium will be the final opportunity for these teams to prepare themselves for the tasks that lie ahead.
For the US this match will be the final chance for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to settle on a lineup ahead of his side's October 10th Confederations Cup playoff with Mexico.
Having seen his side dramatically overcome Peru 2-1 on Friday night, Klinsmann will be tempted to retain faith in many of the team that started on against the Peruvians.
Striker Jozy Altidore, whose two goals inspired the US to a comeback victory, will likely start in the eleven that take the field as he looks certain to retain his place for October's all important tie.
If indeed Altidore does start for the US he will surely start alongside Brad Guzan who, after an inspired performance against the Peruvians, looks certain to fend off the challenge of returning veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard and establish himself as Klinsmann's number one.
Several questions still hang over Klinsmann and his USMNT squad, namely whether faith will be kept with the increasingly impressive Gyasi Zardes and Tim Ream, who the German coach may decide to give more time on the pitch to truly stake a claim as regular starters in his side.
Brazil coach Dunga also has concerns of his own. His side begin their marathon World Cup qualification in October and as he looks to build a new team after their Copa America failure to find his best eleven.
With star striker Neymar expressing his discontent at being a substitute for Friday's friendly against Costa Rica, Dunga has some thinking to do about how to best use his star man.
Speaking to reporters before the game Dunga said: "We will use Neymar. He will be used. We brought him to get training, add competitiveness and motivation. But when it comes to a competitive player, he wants to play. We'll have a moment when we'll use him. How we use him is being weighed up. "
For many of FIFA's international friendly schedules there is a general feeling of dread at the lack of importance attached to matches. With both sides entering into critical phases of preparation ahead of important matches, Tuesday night's match however will be truly fascinating. Seeing how the teams are shaping up and with both sides looking to build positive momentum, the match could be also be very entertaining.
When: Tuesday, September 8th
Kick Off: 20:00 ET
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass
TV Schedule: ESPN 2, UniMas, Univision Deportes
Live Stream: LiveSoccerTV ESPNGo
Official Hashtag: #USAvBRA
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