Pan Am Games volleyball match to follow today: USA vs. Brazil

A nationally televised audience will be able to see if the United States can clinch a spot in the Pan American Games quarterfinals on the final day of group-play.

With the match airing live on ESPN2, the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Pan American Games Team will play first-place Brazil in its group-play finale at 8 p.m. (9 p.m. EST) on Wednesday in Guadalajara, Mexico.

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The United States is in second place in the four-team Group B. The first-place team in each group will receive a bye to the semifinals, while the second and third place teams will compete in the quarterfinals.


Check out what to know about this group-play match between the United States and Brazil.

United States (1-1, 1-1 Group B, 5 pts.) vs. Brazil (2-0, 2-0 Group B, 10 pts.)
Match vitals: 8 p.m. (9 p.m. EST) in Guadalajara, Mexico
Follow live: Live video, In-match live Tweets
Last medal finish at Pan Am Games: United States (2007 silver); Brazil (2007 gold)
Current NCAA players on roster: United States (4); Brazil (zero)
What to know: It’s a rematch of the 2008 Olympics Gold Medal Game, minus the majority of big name players from those United States and Brazil teams three years ago. The United States and Brazil will play in their group-play finale with the United States needing to win or get help to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals. The United States enters the final day of group play in second place in Group B after failing to convert on 11 match points in the fourth game and lost to Canada in five games Tuesday. In order for the United States to be assured a spot in the quarterfinals it will need to defeat Brazil, or have Canada or Puerto Rico win their group-play finale against each other in less than five games. Brazil swept its first two opponents in group-play and will clinch the Group B title unless it loses to the United States in three games. This match will also feature two of the top outside attackers so far at the international tournament. USC All-American outside attacker Tony Ciarelli leads the United States with 42 combined kill through the first two matches, including a team-high 24 kills in the loss to Canada. Brazil outside attacker Eder Carbonera had a match-high 12 kills in its group-play opener against Canada.