2010 FIFA World Cup: Team USA Looks for Payback against Ghana

Four years ago, Team USA was watching as Ghana celebrated a knockout victory that sent the US soccer players home with their heads hanging low.

Four years later, the same showdown will take place on Saturday afternoon from South Africa.

Team USA wants payback.

The question is, will they get it?

For those of you that have watched every game Team USA has played thus far, you've seen a team that has, at times, looked a little lackluster—missing opportunity after opportunity.

Sure, we can sit here and talk about the official that screwed the US out of a win over Slovenia—a win that wouldn't have put quite so much pressure on Team USA as they entered their game against Algeria. We can also sit here and talk about how an official cost them a goal early on in the first half in their game against Algeria.

But, if you are going to talk about that, let's talk about how Algeria should have gone up 1-0 early on, but thankfully the ball hit the crossbar and bounced away. Another foot lower and we'd be talking about "what might have been" for Team USA.

But, as the saying goes, "that's why they play the game."

If you watched Team USA's game against Algeria a few days ago, you know that there are more than a few things that they'll need to change to be able to come away with a victory.

Let's go over just a few of them, but before I do, keep in mind that I'm not the biggest soccer fan out there, so forgive me if these things sound a little generic or if there are other words for them.

Limit the Turnovers

I know that's a hard thing to do in this sport, but it's something the US has to be better at on Saturday. They need to stop giving the ball over to the other team so easily.

Capitalize on Scoring Opportunities

This could have been one of the reasons that they could have boarded a plane and headed home a few days ago. They had at least four shots on goal that should have been easy put-aways but which either missed left or missed high. When they have a goal opportunity, put it away. It might be the difference between moving on and going home.

Make the Opposing Goalie Work

Here's the biggest way the US can come away with an easy win on Saturday. No matter how many shots on goal you have, make the goalie work. Make him dive left, dive right—make him work. The more you tire him out, the more likely you'll be able to get a shot or two past him.

When You Have a Shot, Take It

I know this sounds a little on the "duh" side of things, but there were too many times over the last few games where I saw potential shots on goal that were dribbled out or passed away.

While I know it's part of the game to find the open man or get the better shot, when you get set up for a shot, take it. I saw a few times where Team USA dribbled away a shot on goal and either got it taken away from them or got to where they couldn't get themselves back in position for a shot.

Team USA can pick up a victory on Saturday. They have the talent to move on, they have the players to get it done, but they need to put everything together and do the things they haven't done over their last two games.

If they do all that, we'll be talking about a USA victory on Saturday afternoon.