The United States will not be a polite host to Argentina in Tuesday's 2016 Centennial Copa America semi-final match, to be held in Houston, Texas, international media reported.

According to the continental tournament's official website, the U.S. team led by coach Jurgen Klinsmann have prepared to give it their all in one of the most important matches in their history.

"We are very excited, it is the semi-finals. We have prepared for this and I cannot wait to begin the match," said captain and midfielder Michael Bradley.

The U.S. already know how it feels to defeat one of the best teams in the world. In 1998 they defeated Brazil 1-0 in the semifinal of the Confederation of North, Central American and the Caribbean Association Football's (Concacaf) Gold Cup, and in 2009 they defeated Spain 2-0 in the International Federation of Association Football's (FIFA) Confederations Cup.

"We are hungry to play the match," said Klinsmann, who has already eliminated Argentina once before as a coach in a penalty shootout at the World Cup 2006 quarter finals with Germany's national team. As a player for West Germany, Klinsmann also defeated the Argentine team in the 1990 World Cup final in Italy.

"Anything is possible," said Klinsmann. "If you look carefully at CONMEBOL's World Cup qualifiers' records, you can see they (Argentina) also lose matches and make mistakes."

The U.S. will have to play without Jermaine Jones, Alejandro Bedoya and Bobby Wood, who are all suspended. However, forward Gyasi Zardes said the absences will be well replaced.

"The players on the bench are fantastic regardless of whether they have played or not," said Zardes, adding "I am sure the technical team has prepared us very well for this match."

This will be the third time the U.S. and Argentina face each other in Copa America. In 1995, the U.S. won 3-0, while Argentina obtained a 4-1 victory in 2007.

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Xinhua News Agency

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