USA vs. Ghana, 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cup: Preview, TV schedule and match thread

The United States enter their final group stage game in the Under-20 World Cup in a bit of a rough situation. While a draw against France kept their hopes of making the knockout stage alive, they are not in complete control of their own destiny. A win over Ghana on Thursday would make progression likely, but would not guarantee it.

There are likely to be multiple teams that finish third in their group on four or more points, and many of them with a better goal differential than the Americans. Second place will also be hard to clinch, given the five-goal difference between the U.S. and France. Ghana hasn't been embarrassed in either of their games and isn't likely to lose by four goals. There's no reason to believe that Spain are going to put a three- or four-goal beating on France either.

Expect to see a mostly unchanged team from Tab Ramos, though Daniel Cuevas might have earned a start with his great substitute appearance. Javan Torre probably did enough against France to keep his spot, and it would be surprising to see Caleb Stanko return to the lineup.

Update: I was wrong! Stanko in for Torre. Oscar Sorto and Mikey Lopez in too. Dang.

United States U-20s: Cropper; Yedlin, Stanko, O'Neill, Ocegueda; Trapp, Lopez; Villarreal, Gil, Sorto; Rodriguez

— FOX Soccer Trax (@FOXSoccerTrax) June 27, 2013

Match date/time: Thursday, 1 p.m. ET

Venue: Kadir Has Stadium, Kayseri

TV: ESPNU

Online: Watch ESPN

Follow @StarsStripesFC on Twitter | Like Stars and Stripes FC on Facebook

More from SSFC

• American-off 2013: Shea vs. Zusi

• Danny Williams joins Reading

• Remembering Donovan’s goal to beat Algeria

• Full coverage of the USWNT