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The pressure is high for both squads, but the United States already has relieved some of that tension by moving into the tournament's second round, an accomplishment some observers did not expect.

His U.S. squad will face the Netherlands on Saturday in a World Cup round-of-16 match, putting them a step away from the quarterfinals.

DOHA, Qatar — The education of Gregg Berhalter began at an elite boarding school in New Jersey and continued at the University of North Carolina. And while that book learning was fine and all, neither school taught Berhalter the subject he really wanted to study, which was soccer.

Playing a European power for a place in the quarters is not something the U.S. is taking lightly, even if the mood on the eve of the match was relaxed.