Jurgen Klinsmann 'backtracks on USA World Cup hopes'

Jurgen Klinsmann has suggested that USA's World Cup squad will not be looking too far ahead, but is hopeful that his side can go far in the tournament.

The German coach appeared to backtrack on comments he made four days ago, in which he claimed that the prospect of a United States World Cup win "is just not realistic".

Instead, Klinsmann struck a more positive note ahead of their opening game with Ghana in Natal, but insisted that his players wouldn't be getting carried away with expectations back home.

He was quoted by ESPN as saying: "I booked my flight after the final. We come in with the same effort, the same drive, the same energy and ambition to do well. And we went to do really well.

"That's why we worked more than four weeks on our preparation, we timed it the right way to give the players the confidence they need to beat Ghana tomorrow.

"This is step one, then comes Portugal and then comes Germany. And then we'll see...expectations in the United States are very high."

The Stars and Stripes will look to avenge their 2010 defeat to Ghana after the Black Stars knocked them out in the last 16 of the competition.

However, the game is at risk of postponement after flood alerts were issued by Natal City Hall in response to two days of continuous rain in the area.