SOCCER: After Mexico win, U.S. to have fun versus Brazil

World Cup qualifying games are rarely beautiful. They are about getting three points at home and at least on the road. They are about grit and fight and determination and all the things that talent doesn't measure.

And the United States got three points against Mexico with an effort that can be described as gutty and showing a U.S. squad that is rich in grit, determination and talent.

Without Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride for over a half, not one person could possibly admit under oath that they thought it would be a U.S. victory. But for a pair of subsitutions, it would have been a 0-0 tie.

Yet Josh Wolff wouldn't let it be. Wolff scored the first goal, then put together a spectacular individual effort to set up the second goal and earn man of the match accolades.

Wolff was not the only U.S. player that should be praised. Clint Mathis did well under tough conditions as a sub, Chris Armas was composed as usual at defensive midfielder and Earnie Stewart and Cobi Jones both ran all over the place.

The defense was also outstanding. Eddie Pope had, perhaps, his best match for the national team since 1998 qualifying. Tony Sanneh did well, considering the post-match revelation that he broke a bone in his foot in the first half. David Regis showed the confidence he has picked up in France and Jeff Agoos quieted Luis Hernandez.

In goal, Brad Friedel supported coach Bruce Arena's decision to put him in the nets. Friedel's play in England has been steady of late and he again made the big save when needed, stopping a breakaway attempt when the score was still 1-0 and patrolling the area with authority.

Now, the Mexico game is gone. And while Saturday is a friendly against Brazil, there are some players that will definitely not be taking it that way. Because it will be their opportunity.

This is a chance for players to state their case in advance of the next World Cup qualifier in Honduras, a road game that will not be a trip to Club Med indeed. A chance to showcase their skill in front of the world against one of the best sides around. A chance to show critics, anyone that may think the Mexico game was a bit of a fluke, that the national side is ready to make a step up to prominence.

Since this is not a World Cup qualifying game, and to try and mollify European coaches who are demanding of American players, Arena released a number of his European-based players. Friedel, Regis, Joe-Max Moore, Reyna, Stewart among them, that means five starting spots will be filled by different players than were on the field Wednesday night in Columbus.

So who will be in the lineup for Saturday against Brazil, second only to France in the world? Taking a look at the roster available, it should be relatively easy to predict with a 4-4-2 formation.

In goal will by Tony Meola with Zach Thornton as the backup. Meola is clearly the team's backup keeper behind Friedel/Kasey Keller, but not many countries can claim to have a No. 3 in goal like him. This is an important game for the MLS veteran as well — against Brazil, in California, was where Meola last played a World Cup game in 1994.

Agoos and Pope should continue as two of the four defenders. It would be expected that Carlos Llamosa, a sub against Mexico, will come on as well. Greg Vanney may be the fourth defender with Frankie Hejduk as a super-sub.

Mathis should get a full 90 minutes as the playmaking midfielder. Also expect to see Armas to start, but Richie Williams could come on as a sub in the defensive midfield position. Jones and Chris Klein would be the wings. Bobby Convey would provide cover on the bench.

The U.S. only has two definitive forwards for the Brazil game, Wolff and teenager Landon Donovan. Which, coming to a second thought, makes the 4-4-2 formation a possible alignment, but not definite.

Why? Donovan can operate as a forward in a 4-4-2 with Wolff, but looking through the glass as a coach, you could put Donovan as a withdrawn forward linking Mathis with Wolff. Then, of course, you have the question of who the quarterback is.

Dilemmas over talented players that can operate effectively in more than one role. Young players showing that they are already set to take the mantle and responsibility of players still in the prime of the careers. A mix of overseas players with toughened wills against a bunch of quietly confident veterans from Major League Soccer.

Questions, questions of what to possible do for Bruce Arena. And just the type of questions that any national team coach would love to have to answer.