Tim Howard knows very well that the USA national team need to win their final CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage match on Tuesday.
The Everton goalkeeper and his US teammates take on the winless Guadeloupe at Kansas City's LIVESTRONG Sporting Park and a victory would see them move through to the quarter-finals.
Following Saturday's shock loss to Panama, Howard says it is vital for the team to bounce back with a strong performance.
"It's pretty simple, really," Howard said. "We know it's an elimination game.
"We know what we have to do to perform. We know that if we perform to our own standards, we will get the right result and move forward."
Despite the loss to the 67th-ranked Panamanians, Howard said the confidence in the US dressing room is still high.
"We still think we're the top team in the region," Howard added. "In order for us to prove that, we've got to win the cup.
"There are still a few miles to go before we get there, but we're not afraid of anyone. In order to win a championship you've got to beat the best. All this means nothing if we don't get the right result [Tuesday] night."
