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The United States probably did not want to meet Ghana again so soon. They have lost to their African opponents in the last two World Cups but find themselves pitched into the same group.
And it does not get any easier for Jurgen Klinsmann's boys as they face their manager's home nation, Germany, and a Portugal side led by Ballon D'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
That will make it harder for the USA to match their second round appearance from 2010, despite the encouragement of winning their World Cup qualifying group.
While experienced names Clint Dempsey and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard are still present, Klinsmann has attempted to inject the zest of youth into the team's ranks in the shape of recently naturalized pair Julian Green (Bayern Munich) and Aron Johannsonn (AZ Aalkmar). He also sensationally cut long-time star player Landon Donovan from the initial 30-man panel.
Reaching the latter stages from such a tough group is far from impossible, the USA are expected to miss out on the last-16.
Team 33 previewed the US challenge with New York Times sports columnist George Vecsey:
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World Cup Record
Appearances: 10
Best Result: Semi-finals (1930)
Squad
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC).
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
Fixtures and Results
Group G
June 16 vs Ghana (Natal) 2 - 1 (W)
June 22 vs Portugal (Manaus) 2 - 2 (D)
June 26 vs Germany (Recife) 1 - 0 (L)
