Five World Cups and eight Copa Americas to their credit, Brazilhas done it all on the international soccer scene. But ask D.C. United midfielder Marcelo Saragosa about Saturday’sOlympic championship match and you get a clear sense of just how important aGold Medal would be in his native land.
“In Brazil everyone is talking about this game,” saidSaragosa on Friday. “It’s a veryimportant title for Brazil because the country dreams of this. It is something that we don’thave. We have many World Cups, butno gold medal.”
The Brazilians enter the Olympic finale as heavy favoritesover CONCACAF representative Mexico. Saragosa – who will travel with D.C. to Kansas City – said he plans towatch the game from his hotel room early Saturday morning.
Asked for a prediction, Saragosa couldn’t hide hisconfidence.
“Three to one,” said the 30-year-old. “Brazil will win gold!”
