Portugal, facing must-win match vs. United States, says Ronaldo will play

A win will advance Americans, but Portugal expects its star back from injury

By CHRIS LEHOURITES Associated Press

MANAUS, BRAZIL – Cristiano Ronaldo will play, and Portugal needs to win.

The world player of the year hasn't been able to shake a lingering left knee injury since coming to Brazil, but he went through a regular workout Saturday and is expected to start Sunday when the Portuguese face the United States in a crucial Group G match at the World Cup.

"He trains every day with all of us. So Cristiano is fit to play," Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles said Saturday. "That's all I can say."

Ronaldo took the field with his teammates and did several running drills, not appearing to be affected by the injury. He did, however, again wear wrapping below his left knee.

Portugal lost its opening match to Germany 4-0, and another loss on Sunday will mean immediate elimination from the World Cup. The Americans, however, won their opening game and can secure a spot in the second round with another victory.

"He's strong physically. He's a fast runner. He's the best in the world with the ball at his feet," United States goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "That's why he's the best player in the world.

"We're going to do our best to bottle him up."

Ronaldo played in the loss to Germany on Monday, but he has since been seen at training with a brace on his left knee.

If he is not 100 percent healthy for the match, an already undermanned Portugal could struggle to earn the three points needed to stay in the tournament.

Portugal coach Paulo Bento, however, said he is not putting any pressure on his star player.

Even with Ronaldo on the field, Portugal will be shorthanded. Defender Fabio Coentrao, Ronaldo's teammate at Real Madrid, and striker Hugo Almeida have been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup because of injuries. Pepe, another Real Madrid defender, is suspended.

The shakeup on the field won't be the only changes in the Portugal team.

"We have to change the result," Meireles said. "It's not because of a defeat in the previous game that we're going to change. We all know what we have to do. We're all prepared to do our best."

The match will be the third played in the heat and humidity at the 40,000-seat Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, the most exotic of the 12 World Cup venues.

Moths and mosquitoes circled when the Americans took the field for practice Saturday evening at the stadium, built in a remote area of the rainforest.

"Everybody can feel the difficulty that we and the United States will have tomorrow. Very high humidity," Meireles said. "That is a complicating factor, but it's complicated for both teams."

Whether it's the weather, the injuries or anything else, the certainty for Portugal is the need for victory on Sunday.