With a slow start to the Rio Olympics, the U.S. men are still having to play catch-up on the final day of preliminaries.
If the U.S. sweeps Mexico (or wins in four sets) in its 10:30 a.m. ET match, the Americans will be in the tournament with a shot at taking home a medal.
Without three points, USA will need some help.
Lucky for the Americans, two of the three teams they are tied with are set to play against each other at 9:30 p.m. ET – Brazil and France.
If U.S. picks up at least one point and either Brazil or France pulls off a sweep (or Canada is swept by Italy), the Americans are in.
The “if” scenarios can keep going on and on.
The good news for the Americans – Mexico has lost 12 of 13 sets through four matches thus far and is one of only two men’s teams without a point yet in the prelims.
Here are the rest of Monday’s games:
8:30 a.m. ET – Argentina vs. Egypt
2 p.m. – Russia vs. Iran
4 p.m. – Poland vs. Cuba
7:30 p.m. – Italy vs. Canada
Women’s quarterfinals tips off Tuesday morning.