Jurgen Klinsman has hailed their opening World Cup game against Ghana as a knockout clash with pre-tournament favourites Germany and Portugal tipped to advance from the group stages.
The USA will begin their World Cup campaign against the African side on June 16th followed by games against Germany and Portugal.
The United States coach then said that he wanted a good start from his team to give them the best opportunity to make it out of their very tough group.
"It's pretty much just like a knockout game anyways,” Klinsman told ESPN.
"We know if we can get the three points (against) Ghana we put ourselves in a very good position for the next game against Portugal in Manaus, in the Amazon.
"Therefore it is very, very crucial we have a good start."
Klinsman then went on to talk about youngster Julian Green who was named in his squad ahead of veteran Landon Donavon.
"We believe in as of today that if we have to bring him he will be able to make a difference and he has the talent and he has the guts to do that," he said.
"And we believe in him that he just goes now and every day being into camp and therefore he deserves to be in the group of players."
