USA coach Klinsmann fires fresh World Cup warning to Ghana - we must beat Black Stars

Published on: 01 March 2014
USA coach Klinsmann fires fresh World Cup warning to Ghana - we must beat Black Stars
Jurgen Klinsmann says they must beat Ghana at all cost

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann has reiterated the importance of a win against Ghana in the World Cup opener as being critical to the Americans' chances of advancing to the knock-out rounds.

While a tie or loss wouldn't necessarily be fatal to the Americans’ ability to advance, the Ghana match -- set to take place in Natal on June 16 -- will be followed by games against Portugal on June 22 in Manaus, and Germany on June 26 in Recife.

Given the pedigree of those last two opponents, the pressure will be on the U.S. take three points from a Ghana side that has knocked the U.S. out of the last two World Cups.

And it explains why Klinsmann, speaking at a Google Hangout held on Friday by the U.S. Soccer Federation, is putting so much focus on the Black Stars.

"We basically start with a World Cup final against Ghana," he said.

"We need badly these three points. If we get three points against Ghana, I think then that the confidence will rise, the guys will be pumped up, and they will be ready for Portugal and give them a real fight."

First, Klinsmann will have to finalize his 23-man World Cup roster, a task that is set to continue next Wednesday when the U.S. takes on Ukraine in a friendly on March 5 in Cyprus.

The U.S. manager said the process involves some challenging choices. FIFA's deadline for 30-man provisional rosters is May 12.

The final 23-man roster must be submitted by June 2, although the U.S. is free to name its final squad prior to that date.

"You review all of the strengths and weaknesses of all players," he said.

"You look at what you want to see from the entire team. You look at chemistry components. You look at is [a player] a giver or a taker. Definitely, on top of all the criteria is the quality of the player. You want to have a lot of good quality in there.

"There will definitely be tough decisions, tough moments because there are 50/50 situations, and you have to make the decision, you have to make the call. There will be some upsets; some players will be left out. That is just part of it."

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