The US faces a critical showdown with El Salvador in Sandy, Utah (just outside of Salt Lake City) that will greatly impact their odds of qualifying for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. If the USMNT goes in, takes care of business, they could move from a precarious tie for second quite possibly into first. If they draw or lose, they will have given away valuable points at home, which they cannot afford to do. So by all means, this is a must win game, considering El Salvador is one of the bottom two and a team the US should defeat handily in the US. My keys to the game follow.

- Who does Bob start? The US has one position in the back, the midfield, and the strikers that will be very interesting to see who starts. Each is a critical position, those being left back, center midfield, and target striker.

-The hole in the back opened based on Onyewu being suspended for yellow card accumulation, and I feel that we will likely see Johnathon Spector filling in at left back, pushing Bocanegra to pair with DeMerit in the center and opening right back for Steve Cherundolo. This would give the US a solid back line to work off of, and a center back partnership that is pretty solid.

-The midfield spot is so wide open that nobody knows who will go. Rico Clark did not play convincingly in Mexico, opening the door for Benny and JFT. I would like to see Jose Francisco Torres start, let him play more offensively, and let Bradley sit back in the destroyer role, where he does so much damage. Benny wouldn't be a bad option either, as long as Bradley has some of the creative pressure taken off of him. I pick JFT because of how good he looked in El Salvador last time these two teams squared off.

-Who will be partnering Charlie is the question of the day, and one that generally draws a lot of ire from forward thinking national team fans. Jozy has shown his fitness in the EPL for Hull, and his touch has been magical since he jumped across the pond, getting a game winning assist and a game winning goal in the past two weeks. He has looked very good, and his partnership with Charlie Davies causes major match up problems for other teams. Any time both Charlie and Jozy are at least close to match fit, they should be starting, because even if one needs a sub 60 in, either Benny, JFT, or Stu can come in, push Clint Dempsey forward, and allow him to do his late game magic.

-Can the front four continue their scorching form? Landon Donovan has been hot in MLS, scoring gorgeous goals. Clint Dempsey scored a cracker of a goal and has looked good of late. Jozy has set up a winner and scored one of his own. But the hottest man rocking the super sexy home white and gray US natty kit is Charlie “Stanky Leg Davis” Davies. Dude has been tearing up both international play and the French League. If he continues to do so, the US will sail through qualification.

- Substitutions. Bob Bradley's thorn in his side, as making subs seem to befuddle Bob. When he makes the subs, his subs usually befuddle me. What exactly is he doing with them? His subs in Mexico were good though, so optimistically he will continue down the path of righteousness and good substitutions, where good teams prosper and Mexico falls down. Regardless, if the US jumps out to a good sized lead, subbing key players is a brilliant idea, getting them rest for Wednesday's match at T&T

- The atmosphere. Can Sandy take its gorgeous stadium and turn it into a nightmare for El Salvador? I certainly hope so. The US needs a spot that is scary outside of Columbus, and the middle of Utah certainly sounds like a magic spot on a Saturday night.

- The US must not overlook El Salvador. It cost them when they went to El Salvador and might have been looking toward the Costa Rica game. They cannot drop points here. Fortunately, I think the team understands that, and won't. They will take care of business. The US will win three zero behind goals from Davies, Dempsey, and Donovan, or simply the Killer D's.

You can catch the game at 5pm Pacific Time on ESPN classic or TeleFutura. Clear your schedule Saturday afternoon for this one.