I wonder if they had played Ghana first, how much different things would have worked out for them. It might have made a difference to get that first game out of their system before playing the heavyweights.
Face it, everything about this draw was stacked against the US. As opposed to the French who by far got the weakest group, and may even still not get out it.
The moment built by a vicory against Ghana could have proved decisive.
But, that is a bit too much if's and but's.
Go and kick some Italian butt.
That is all that matter now :-)