World Cup 2010: Obama tells US team to go for big win against Ghana

USA President Barack Obama placed a call to the United States World Cup team on Thursday, congratulating them on their group-topping first round performance and hoping for a "big win" against Ghana.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs announced the call on his official Twitter feed, as the USA team, which has whipped up unusual fan fervor in the United States, prepped for the knockout round starting on Saturday.

"POTUS (president of the United States), on the phone with USA soccer team, congratulating them on their big win yesterday -- hoping for another big win on Saturday," Gibbs wrote.

The Americans beat Algeria 1-0 with a dramatic last gasp goal on Wednesday, and will face Ghana in the round-of-16 match in Rustenburg on Saturday and are now eyeing a deep run in the tournament.

Some members of the USA team stopped at the White House before traveling to South Africa and are not lacking for presidential support.

Former president Bill Clinton watched their triumph over Algeria, and vice president Joe Biden also traveled to South Africa, to watch them play England, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.