THE UNITED STATES U-20 men's national team opened its World Cup with a lackluster 2-1 win over Myanmar and will next face host nation New Zealand at 3am ET tomorrow morning/very late tonight (Fox Sports 1). There will be a lot at stake for the Yanks, who will have to significantly improve in order to secure a win.

If Tab Ramos' men do secure a victory A it would likely put the U.S. in the driver’s seat to win the group; a draw would probably secure passage to the round of 16. A loss, on the other hand, would put the U.S. in the dangerous position of needing a result against the Ukraine to advance.

Defeating host nations can always be tricky since the squad will be boosted by a passionate wave of support in the nation’s largest city, Auckland. Here are some of the issues facing the team right now heading into the pivotal game.

Can Bradford Jamieson step up?

According to Top Drawer Soccer, the United States U-20 team will be without forward Maki Tall for the remainder of the World Cup after the Red Star forward broke his toe early in the second half in the team’s 2-1 win over Myanmar. In the opening 45 Tall was the most dangerous American attacker, scoring the first U.S. goal when he got on to the end of Cameron Carter-Vicker’s flick-on header from an Emerson Hyndman corner kick.

Much of the attacking burden could fall on the shoulders of Los Angeles Galaxy forward Bradford Jamieson. The six-foot-one Los Angeles natiuve has been seeing important minutes with the Galaxy early this season but if he starts against New Zealand it will be the biggest test of his young career. More likely than not he will partner with Rubio Rubin in a 4-4-2.

Fullback play must improve

Following the closer-than-expected 2-1 win over Myanmar, everyone on the U.S. team was quick to admit that they must play better or else they will struggle the rest of this tournament. There were long stretches where the U.S. was out-possessed by Myanmar and struggled to deal with the Asian team’s high back line.

One of key reasons for the U.S. team’s subpar performance was the lack of offensive pressure from the fullbacks. With the midfield aligned in a narrow diamond formation with Hyndman at the top, Marky Delgado at the back, and Jordan Allen and Joel Sonora on the wings, the fullbacks needed to supply offensive pressure. But right back Shaq Moore and left back Kellyn Acosta were unable to deliver. As a result, Myanmar had an easier time containing the American midfield which was geared to go up the middle.

Don't be surprised if Ramos makes a few changes. One potential option that seems to make sense right now would have Kellyn Acosta shift into the defensive midfield spot over Marky Delgado. Then Ramos could move have John Requejo, Jr. move into left back where he was solid in qualifying. Desevio Payne is a newcomer to the team and he could be an option on the right.

Better play from the base of the diamond

Another area where the U.S. team fell short was at the base of the diamond midfield, where Toronto FC’s Marky Delgado looked uncomfortable in the possession game and was not able to link up with teammates in dangerous positions. In World Cup qualifying, Russell Canouse shined in this capacity. With Canouse out, Degado was asked to fill the void and he definitely looked out of synch.

The best option to replace Delgado is Acosta. Otherwise it would require a player to play out of position—Erik Palmer-Brown played defensive midfield at the Dallas Cup and could cover there in a pinch.

It’s a very important position in Ramos’ diamond midfield since the player is key link between defense and offense. He often makes the initial pass in attacking situations. So it is a job where a player can ill-afford to have an off game.

Central defense has to adjust to refs

Carter-Vickers and Matt Miazga are among the physically strongest defense pairings at the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. If games are called loosely, they are going to have a tremendous advantage. On the other hand, they are going to have to adjust if the games are called like they were on Saturday. It should be a good test for these young players to see how they can adapt. If they are smart and can manage to be effective while avoiding tight fouls, the U.S. team’s backline could help carry the team to results which they might not otherwise deserve.

Optimal Starting XI vs. New Zealand