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<span class="vitstoryheadline">Second round or bust!</span>
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<span class="vitstorydate">05/26/2002</span>
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    Staff Writer Steve Davis looks at what could happen in the United States' 
    three first-round games at World Cup 2002:

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            <b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3">BEST CASE</font></b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3">
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          <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Limits 
          damage in the opener against Portugal, managing a tie or protecting 
          goal-difference in a loss, then fights ferociously against South 
          Korea and Poland.<br><br>Finds a suitable replacement for reliable 
          Chris Armas and adequately covers for its nervous, overmatched 
          outside fullbacks.<br><br>Gets titanic goalkeeping while Clint 
          Mathis practically prints money with a big goal or two. (Wealthy 
          teams are prepping to pony up for the emerging forward.)<br><br></font>
 

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                <b><font face="geneva,arial,helvetica,verdana" size="3">TEAM 
                USA ADVANCES </font></b>
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            <b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3">WORST CASE</font></b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3">
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          <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Sees 
          its defense stretched by Portugal, whose savvy attackers expose the 
          gaps, scuttling U.S. confidence and setting the stage for discord.<br><br>
Persists with its offensive drought. Number of U.S. tallies in the last five 
          World Cup games, going back to 1994: 1.<br><br>With first place in 
          pocket, Portugal relaxes in its opening-round finale, allowing South 
          Korea a result that catapults the hosts into the second round.<br><br><br><br></font>
 

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                <b><font face="geneva,arial,helvetica,verdana" size="3">TEAM 
                USA GOES HOME </font></b>
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