USA v Ghana: match preview

Round of 16
USA v Ghana
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
Kick-off: Sat June 26, 7.30pm BST
Revenge will be on the menu for the United States. Four years ago, Ghana claimed second place behind eventual champions Italy from Group E after beating the Americans 2-1.
The victors will fancy their chances in a quarter-final against the winners of the last 16 tie between Uruguay and South Korea.
USA have no new injury concerns but Robbie Findley is available again after suspension and is expected to return to attack.
Ghana will again be without the injured Isaac Vorsah.

Touchline duel
Bob Bradley v Milovan Rajevac: Bradley comes from a family of athletes; his brother Scott played baseball for the Seattle Mariners in the 1980s and is the current coach at Princeton University. And his son, Michael, now with Herenveen, has been key to their success.
With Claude Le Roy's departure after a relatively disappointing third-place finish at the 2008 Cup of Nations on home soil, Milovan Rajevac took over leadership of the Black Stars and the belief is that an African country can prosper on home soil.
Talking tactics
The return to attack of Robbie Findley could prove crucial.
Maurice Edu is likely to retain a starting berth after coming in for Jose Francisco Torres.
Ghana could be without centre-back Isaac Vorsah as the defender struggles to win his fitness battle.
Vorsah missed the draw against Australia through injury and was hoping to be in contention for the loss to Germany, however Rajevac was forced to start him on the bench.
Key clash
Landon Donovan v John Mensah: Donovan is enjoying a terrific spell but will find Mensah as the man detailed to halt his progress and the USA’s passage to the last eight.
Sunderland are still considering whether to sign Mensah permanently; this game could give Steve Bruce some food for thought.
Last season Donovan scored for Everton against Sunderland – and Mensah.
What they say
Bob Bradley: “"I think there are six (players) on both sides from the match in 2006 so there is some element of that, but now, four years later, things have changed. And, speaking for ourselves, we are looking ahead to 90 minutes or more, and to doing it -- and moving along. We want to go far in this tournament and that is what our focus is on.”
Milovan Rajevac: "We have created wonderful opportunities to score but we have had a bit of bad luck. Perhaps we were missing a bit of concentration. We can't finish it off so hopefully going forward we will score proper, real goals and I'd be very happy to see this in the last 16."
Teams
USA (4-4-2): Howard; Cherundolo, DeMerit, Onyewu, Bocanegra; Donovan, Bradley, Edu, Dempsey; Altidore, Findley.
Ghana (4-3-3): Kingson; Pantsil, John Mensah, Addy, Sarpei; K-P Boateng, Anna, Asomoah; Tagoe, Gyan, A Ayew.
Referee: Victor Kassai (Hungary).
Previous meetings
Played 1: Ghana 1 win, Draws 0, USA 0
2006: (Nuremburg, WC): Ghana 2 USA 1
Fact: Ghana’s last three World Cup goals have all been penalties.
Prediction: Even the President is backing a USA success. Expect a win for the star spangled banner.