The United State's hopes of taking home soccer gold with its under-23 group in the 2012 Olympics faces a major test Monday.
After a hot start, Team USA encountered an unexpected 2-0 loss to Canada's U-23 squad on March 24 in the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic qualifier rounds. Canada hasn't beaten the U.S. since 1992.
Defender Perry Kitchen of Indianapolis, Ind. and Midfielder Michael Stephens of Naperville, Illinois are part of the U.S. U-23 Men's National Team and hope to move on to the Olympics with a berth in this tournament.
The U-23 U.S. team is part of Group A qualifiers and will play El Salvador Monday night at 9 p.m. ET, at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee.
Team USA is currently in third place with three points.
To clinch their spot in semifinals -- and earn an Olympic berth -- they must defeat El Salvador. The U.S. could guarantee an advance to semifinals by winning against El Salvador, or with a draw against El Salvador, if Canada loses against Cuba.
This means that Team USA and Canada will be tied on points, where the U.S. holds the advantage due to goal differential.
Local
The U.S. Soccer website reports that the top two teams from Groups A and B will advance to semifinals in Kansas City on March 31 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.
The Semifinals winners will be at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London for the 16-team field in London.
