US treating must-win game as World Cup preparation

RUSTENBURG, South Africa (AP) - With the Confederations Cup staged in part to help prepare teams for the following year's World Cup, United States midfielder Landon Donovan wants a determined performance in his team's final group game against Egypt.

The United States is on the verge of elimination after losses to Italy and Brazil, but Donovan said his teammates won't stop trying to bounce back for the big win that could yet send them through to the semifinals.

After all, what if the Americans find themselves in the same position at the 2010 World Cup?

"As these last couple of games have gone on, my mind set has been to take this like: If this might happen this time next year, how are you going to respond?" Donovan said Saturday. "And so in that sense it's a very good opportunity and it's not one that you want to waste."

The eight-team Confederations Cup helps organizers make sure things will run smoothly for the World Cup, giving them a chance to solve problems in areas such as transportation, stadiums and logistics.

But teams can find it just as useful, giving them a taste of the facilities, climate and the kinds of pressure and situations that might arise.

"We've talked about this whole tournament as a test run for hopefully when we are here next year, and from the players' standpoint we have to prepare no matter how unlikely it might be that we advance tomorrow," Donovan said. "It might happen next year that we win the first game or tie the first game and have a bad second game.

"And how quickly do you mentally and physically get ready for the third game?"

After the 2006 World Cup, the United States players already have experience of the kind of must-win game facing them on Sunday.

The Americans lost their opening game to the Czech Republic but rallied to draw with Italy. They could have advanced to the second round with victory over Ghana, but lost 2-1.

"When we talk about the experience of these kinds of tournaments, it's being able to make a quick turnaround to be able to understand what you're there for," coach Bob Bradley said. "Every team arrives, be it the Confederations Cup or World Cup, with high hopes and usually it doesn't always work that every game goes your way.

"We hurt ourselves badly with a nervous start against Brazil but now we have to make those kind of adjustments and go for the three points with full commitment against Egypt."