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This is the big one: winner goes to Brazil, loser goes to a third-place playoff to see who gets to play Colombia in March (which might also yield a place in the 2016 Olympic men's soccer tournament).
For Matt Miazga and the USA U-23s, this game is - quite simply - the reason they are here. Next week's tournament final is nothing more than a potential bonus. They came to this competition to get the USA to Brazil 2016, and this is the match that will decide the success or failure of that mission.
The Hondurans have their own Olympic ambitions, of course. And three of the most lively attacking players in the tournament: Alberth Elis, Anthony Lozano, and Bryan Rochez. They should be the biggest test the USA back line has faced to date in this competition. And that seems appropriate: no honor in progressing to the Olympics without at least one team that doesn't have myriad excuses to present before kick-off (Canada is in rebuilding mode until it gets to a major tournament again; Cuba had defections to deal with; Panama never really got out of first gear).
All to play for on both sides - which hopefully will yield an engaging, competitive match.