The Americans are going into the biggest match most of them have ever played looking to break one streak and start another.

One less day to recover than Germany? No big deal.

If there’s such thing as a Manaus hangover, US players insist they will be no part of it.

England, Italy, Cameroon, and Croatia all lost their next game after playing in the heat and humidity of the Amazon rainforest capital of Manaus. The Americans, who allowed a 95th-minute goal in a 2-2 draw with Portugal Sunday, may not be able to afford a loss when they play three-time champion Germany in their Group G finale Thursday with a berth in the knockout round on the line.


If they can advance, it would be the first time the US has reached the next phase in consecutive World Cups.

‘‘I don’t think it’s really bothering us right now,’’ midfielder Kyle Beckerman said Wednesday before the final training for the match. ‘‘It’s the biggest game of all of our lives. Any fatigue in our legs will be erased. We don’t see the short rest as being a harm to us at all.’’

Moments after the disappointing finish against Portugal, coach Jurgen Klinsmann pointed out how Germany had an extra day to prepare.

Klinsmann’s native country, which he led to the 1990 World Cup championship as a player and coached to the 2006 semifinals on home soil, played to a 2-2 draw with Ghana in Fortaleza Saturday.

‘‘We played in the Amazon. They played in the very kind of locations where they didn’t have to travel much,’’ Klinsmann said shortly after Sunday’s stunning result. ‘‘Everything was done for the big favorites to go and move on. We've got to do it the tough way, but we’re going to do it the tough way.'’’


And there’s pressure on the second-ranked Germans. They’re a favorite to win the tournament and are trying to become the first European team to win a World Cup played in the Americas.

Whether Germany’s legs are fresher Thursday at Arena Pernambuco with one extra recovery day is to be determined. Rain could be a factor, too.

‘‘I don’t think this is a disadvantage,’’ US right back Fabian Johnson said. ‘‘We've tried everything to recover to prepare for this match. We've done everything to be at our top levels, in top physical condition.’’

Germany coach Joachim Loew isn’t sure his team’s extra day of rest this week makes up for the months-long advantage his friend, Klinsmann, has had with the US team.

Loew suggested the Major League Soccer schedule, which is shorter than those of European leagues and starts after the winter, helped Klinsmann get his team in exceptional physical condition for World Cup play in June.

Dual interest

When Jermaine Jones stands for the national anthems of his countries Thursday night, he will soak in the moment. Jones, like four American teammates and his coach, will be familiar with both ‘‘The Star-Spangled Banner’’ and the ‘‘Deutschlandlied’’. After playing three games in 2008 for the nation in which he grew up, Jones switched allegiance to the US two years later. ‘‘When I hear the anthem from the United States, I will close my eyes and let everything go through,’’ the tenacious midfielder said. Five German-American players with US servicemen fathers and German mothers are going up against a German squad filled with familiar faces from the Bundesliga. US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati rejected the notion the dual nationals are any less American than those who came up through the US youth system. Becoming Mr. USA Tim Howard will reach an impressive milestone Thursday: The Group G finale will be his 103d international appearance, passing Kasey Keller for the most by an American goalkeeper. Not that it’s even on the 35-year-old Howard’s mind with the US trying to reach the knockout stage of consecutive World Cups for the first time. When Varela’s header sailed into the net off a beautiful cross from Cristiano Ronaldo to salvage a tie for Portugal Sunday, Howard instantly put his hands on his head and sighed. ‘‘Football’s cruel sometimes. It ebbs and flows,’’ said Howard, who has seven saves through two games. ‘‘We try and take every result as it comes. Our training sessions have been light and lively. We’ve got a great chance in the Group of Death, they say, to go through and advance, so we’re excited. I think we had one foot in the door, so there’s a small bit of disappointment.’’ There is some thought this could be Howard’s last World Cup. He signed a two-year contract extension with Everton in April that takes him through 2018 and a likely finish to his career with the club. Backup Brad Guzan is the US No. 1 goalkeeper in waiting.

Germany feels fit

Loew said defender Jerome Boateng, midfielder Sami Khedira, and the rest of his squad are fit to play. Boateng and Khedira were substituted in Germany’s draw Saturday because of injuries. Boateng came off after the first half with a sore left thigh, while Khedira was replaced because of a left knee problem in the 70th minute. Loew said both players were training by Monday, but stopped short of confirming they’ll be in Thursday’s lineup.

Where to watch

A public viewing party for Thursday’s World Cup match between the United States and Germany will be held at Boston’s City Hall Plaza, Mayor Marty Walsh and the New England Revolution announced.

The watch party begins at 11:30 a.m. — 30 minutes before kickoff — and will feature activities for fans led by the Revs’ street team, the Battalion. Slyde, the Revs Mascot, and the Revs girls will also attend.