Joshua Stupple:, external Credit to USA, they know they're a long-term project and put trust in Jurgen Klinsmann. I would love the FA to wake up and do the same.

Danny Duggan:, external I can't believe how much pace the USA have. What a start.

Share your views on Twitter via #bbcworldcup, external, text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook., external

Ghana don't know what has hit them. They are playing like a boxer who is struggling to stay on his feet. Dempsey's goal has been timed at 29 seconds, the fifth fastest goal in World Cup history.

Jason Roberts
Former Wigan, Blackburn and Reading footballer

"What a start for the USA. Dempsey's a natural goal-scoring midfielder, he can play number 10 and when he gets in those positions it's always a cool head."

Former Blackburn and Wales midfielder Robbie Savage
MOTD

"Incredible start. What a finish, a little nutmeg, he opens up his body and puts it in off the post. Unbelievable start for the USA. They are on the front foot and driving forward."

Image source, Getty Images

Wow, wow, wow. The match is just a few seconds old when the USA burst forward through Clint Dempsey who surges past John Boye before firing low and hard past Adam Kwarasey. How about that for a start?

Image source, Getty Images

And we're off.

The national anthems are complete. This match is pure razzamatazz. We're almost ready to go. . .

Image source, Getty Images

Jenni from Newtownards on text: I'm heading to Florida for my holidays on 5 July which is right in the middle of the World Cup quarter-finals. I'd love for the USA to still be in the tournament when I'm there. I'll teach them about football, not soccer!

Former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf
MOTD

On Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan, who plays his club football for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates: "He is a talent but why go to the UAE so early? I believe he can score and I believe he can be a big threat in the tournament."

Danny Murphy
MOTD

"Whoever loses this game is going home. What that should mean is that we get an entertaining game with both teams going for it.

"Clint Dempsey's a winner, he's probably the best trainer I ever played with. He was always looking to improve. I'm not sure where he'll play tonight but he used to do most of his best damage coming off wide areas. He's a special player because he's not naturally gifted but he looks gifted because of his application.

"If the USA are going to do anything it will come through him."

New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry

"I believe the United States have the strength to compete. They're well organised, difficult to beat and Clint Demspey and Jozy Altidore can score goals. They can keep the ball and can play longer with Altidore. They can compete and they have the quality to do it.

"It's World Cup time so it's a big deal there at the moment. It's difficult to complete with basketball and American football but it's getting better. From when I went there to now it's changed."

Former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf
MOTD

Image source, Getty Images

"I am looking forward to seeing Ghana in action against what will be a very organised USA team."

BBC World Service reporter Seth Bennett in Natal: "Kwesi Appiah names a strong attacking side for Ghana's first game. A front four of the Ayew brothers - Jordan and Andre - Chelsea's Christian Atsu and captain Asamoah Gyan should mean they create plenty of chances.

"Full-back Daniel Opare makes his World Cup debut. USA defender DaMarcus Beasley starts as he becomes the first American to play in four World Cups, while three Premier League-based players - Tim Howard, Geoff Cameron and Jozy Altidore - are named in Jurgen Klinsmann's side."

Ghana: Kwarasey, Opare, Mensah, Boye, Asamoah, Atsu, Rabiu, Muntari, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Gyan. Subs: Adams, Inkoom, Essien, Afriyie, Agyemang-Badu, Boateng, Adomah, Sumaila, Waris, Wakaso, Afful, Dauda.

USA: Howard, Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Beasley, Bedoya, Jones, Bradley, Beckerman, Dempsey, Altidore. Subs: Guzan, Yedlin, Gonzalez, Brooks, Johannsson, Diskerud, Davis, Green, Wondolowski, Zusi, Chandler, Rimando.

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)

Image source, Getty Images

Most onlookers expect European heavyweights Germany and Portugal to coast into the last-16 at the expense of Ghana and USA.

However, one man who does not think Group G is a foregone conclusion is ex-USA captain Claudio Reyna. Reyna, 40, believes the Stars and Stripes can shock their rivals and reach the knockout phase for a second successive tournament.

"I've got a feeling we can do well and get out of it," the ex-Rangers and Manchester City midfielder, who was voted in the 2002 World Cup's team of the tournament, tells BBC Sport. "It will take some big performances. But qualifying for the knockout stage would be a huge success."

A bizarre season that has lurched from a goalscoring Bundesliga debut to his manager dropping him for having an ill-timed tattoo ends with a place in the United States World Cup squad for John Brooks.

The 21-year-old defender plays his club football for Hertha Berlin and was left out of a match with Bayer Leverkusen in April after a newly-inked back tattoo caused him to miss training. "I don't have any understanding for that," said Hertha boss Jos Luhukay.

Ghana's Kwadwo Asamoah has established himself as a key player at Juventus, helping them win the Italian title in each of his two seasons there since arriving in 2012, initially in a co-ownership deal with previous club Udinese.

A left-sided midfielder who can play in several other positions, the 25-year-old was used as a wing back in Serie A last season, and has been described as "irreplaceable" by Juve manager Antonio Conte.

Nicknamed 'Kojo', Asamoah was named Ghana's Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013, and won his 50th cap during qualifying at the age of just 24.

He also has good form against the United States, having helped knock them out at the last-16 stage of the 2010 World Cup, in which he played all five games as Ghana reached the quarter-finals.

BBC World's Alex South in Natal: "There are massive cues to get into the Arena das Dunas but the music and singing from the Ghana fans is making it a little less boring. They may be outnumbered in Natal, but they are certainly making themselves heard."

Andrew via text: Ever since their performances through the rounds at the World Cup in South Africa, I have had a soft spot for Ghana. It probably has something to do with the way they lost out to Uruguay in 2010, but I really hope they can right the wrongs of four years ago this time around.

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