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The United States is two wins away from finishing on the medal podium at the Pan American Games.
After advancing out of group-play, the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Pan American Games Team will play Argentina in the quarterfinals of the international tournament on Thursday in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The winners of the United States-Argentina and Puerto Rico-Mexico quarterfinal matches will advance to play Brazil or Cuba in the semifinals on Friday.
Check out what to know about this elimination match between the United States and Argentina.
United States (1-2) vs. Argentina (2-1)
Match vitals: 6 p.m. (7 p.m. EST) in Guadalajara, Mexico
Follow live: Live video, In-match live Tweets
Last medal finish at Pan Am Games: United States (2007 silver); Argentina (1995 gold)
Current NCAA players on roster: United States (4); Argentina (1)
What to know: The United States will continue its attempt to win the country’s first Pan American Games gold medal since 1988 with a quarterfinals match against Argentina. The United States received a berth to the quarterfinals after finishing Group B in third place despite losing its final two group-play matches to Canada and Brazil. Argentina won its final two group-play matches, each in five games, to finish Group A in second place. All three of Argentina’s matches in group-play went to a decisive fifth game, including an 18-16 overtime victory against Venezuela on Wednesday to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals. This quarterfinals match will also feature current UCLA players on both sides of the net. Setter Kyle Caldwell and middle attacker Nick Vogel have started for the United States throughout the tournament and are among the team leaders in blocks. In addition, All-MPSF outside attacker Gonzalo Quiroga has come off the bench for Argentina in group-play. Quiroga also had six kills in a group-play victory against Mexico. The United States has reached the semifinals in six of the last seven Pan American Games, while Argentina has not advanced to the semifinals since 1999.