World Cup 2010 Predictions: USA vs Ghana

For the U.S. team, the challenge is to emotionally come off the high of the last-second win on Wednesday, and compose themselves to play again three days later.

Another day or two between the final group-stage game with Algeria, and the round of 16 game with Ghana would have been more than welcome.

Ghana would probably loved to play this game on Thursday. The longer gap between games probably decreases their chances.

To be fair, there is probably no clear favorite in this match. Ghana represents the only chance Africa will have in the round of 16, and many believe the continent is ready to rally around the only team to make it to the second round.

One problem with this "home-field advantage," if you will, is the vuvuzela. The irritating noise maker may actually help the Americans on Saturday.

Think about it, the vuvuzela is the great equalizer. Any crowd support a team would normally get during the match itself is drowned out like everything else the vuvuzelas drown out.

This game is, of course, the rematch of the final match in the group stage in Germany in 2006. Ghana won 2-1 to advance to the round of 16 and send the Americans home.

Ghana played a fair game against Germany in the final group game, losing 0-1. The 'Black Stars' ended up out shooting the Germans 17 to 13. However, they would not have advanced if Serbia had been able to defeat Australia.

After the match with Germany on Wednesday, Ghana's Serbian coach Milan Rajevac was already trying to look forward.

"There is no time to celebrate," he said, "the next match is very close."

The United States did allow themselves a little time to celebrate. This probably was a result of the way the U.S. advanced compared to how Ghana advanced.

Ghana got in with a loss, the U.S. got in with a dramatic stoppage-time goal late in the game from Landon Donovan.

But the Americans are well aware of the need to move on quickly with their preparations for Ghana. Bob Bradley is aware of this perhaps more than anyone.

"You can feel good about getting there," he said, "but now you have to quickly put that behind you and focus on your next opponent and that’s where we are right now.”

He added, "I think we feel good about the way we handled the first round, the different challenges and the way we responded along the way. But now, when you get to the knockout phases it’s again the opportunity to see how far you can take it."

As for the match itself, Ghana will most likely continue to employ the defensive-minded attack that they have used under coach Rajevac. They conceded only two goals in the three group-stage games.

Ghana employs a single striker, Asamoah Gyan, in their defensive approach.

They also like to advance the ball through the middle of the pitch, as opposed to moving up on the wings.

The 'Black Stars' are without arguably their best player and team leader, Chelsea star midfielder Michael Essien. He will be sorely missed on Saturday.

The U.S. used a similar defensive approach against England in getting the 1-1 draw.

However, against Slovenia and Algeria the Americans were far more the attacking club. They figure to continue that on Saturday.

Landon Donovan, with two goals through the first three games, including the game-winner on Wednesday, knows the importance of this game.

"It's not a failure if we don't win Saturday, but there's such a massive opportunity to do something so much more special," Donovan said. "And I really want to emphasize that to everybody, and make sure we understand that."

Donovan also remembers the feeling of getting eliminated by Ghana four years ago in Germany.

"That was not a good day. For me or for the team," Donovan said. "What I remember most personally was my tentativeness and the immediate feeling afterward of the finality of it, and how disappointing that was."

The winner of the game on Saturday would meet the winner of Uruguay and South Korea in the quarterfinals. Meaning, the winner Saturday has a great chance to perhaps make it to the semifinals.

Prediction: 1-1 draw. USA wins in PK's.