"Although it has made our task more difficult, it's important for teams like Brazil, England and Holland to develop their programs because they're wonderful soccer-playing countries with tremendous tradition, so they enhance the women's side of the game.
"Brazil has done an amazing job of going out and finding talented players, players with flair and athleticism. They're fun to watch but not fun to coach against."
The Americans have lost only once to Brazil, on the road in 1997, and won the most recent match, 3-0, at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando in May.
But that score was deceiving. The Brazilians dominated the first half and could have won had they capitalized on their scoring chances.
"One thing that we learned and we continue to learn about Brazil is that you always need to be on your toes defensively," Chastain said. "They're very tricky. They love to use deception as a huge part of their game.
"So we have to be ready for the things they're going to throw at us. Not just the things that seem obvious but the things that are a little bit more subtle."
In other words, it promises to be as much a mental game as a physical one.
"The game in Orlando was fun for us," DiCicco said. "We learned a little more about them. They learned a little more about us. But that game is going to have no bearing on today's game.
"Today's game is for everything."
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
United States vs. Brazil
\o7 The United States and Brazil have played each other 10 times in a series dating from 1986. The Americans hold an 8-1-1 advantage and have outscored the Brazilians, 26-7:\f7
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Date Site Result July 22, 1986 Jesolo, Italy USA 2, Brazil 1 Nov. 19, 1991 Punyu, China USA 5, Brazil 0* May 12, 1995 Tacoma, Wash. USA 3, Brazil 0 May 14, 1995 Portland, Ore. USA 4, Brazil 1 Jan. 16, 1996 Campinas, Brazil USA 3, Brazil 2 Jan. 20, 1996 Campinas, Brazil USA 1, Brazil 1** Dec. 11, 1997 Taubate, Brazil USA 2, Brazil 1 Dec. 13, 1997 Sao Paulo, Brazil Brazil 1, USA 0 Sept. 20, 1998 Richmond, Va. USA 3, Brazil 0 May 22, 1999 Orlando, Fla. USA 3, Brazil 0
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* 1991 World Cup first round; ** US wins 4-2 on penalty kicks
