Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has gone out on a limb by suggesting the USA national team could progress past the group stage at the 2014 World Cup.
The US are grouped with world no.2 Germany, current number three Portugal and Africa's fourth-ranked team Ghana for this summer's tournament in Brazil but that has not stopped Rummenigge from backing Juergen Klinsmann's to get out of Group G.
"Two teams I'm seeing as favorites to qualify for the next round are Germany, and maybe this will surprise you, the States," Rummenigge told KickTV.
"I believe they have an interesting team and I know Juergen Klinsmann, who is totally motivated and he will try to pass Portugal. It will be not easy for Germany as well because there are three teams. Don't underestimate Ghana because Africans in a World Cup sometimes surprise."
The US commence their World Cup campaign against Ghana on Monday, June 16 in Natal before taking on Portugal in Manaus on Sunday, June 22 and then they meet Germany on Thursday, June 26 in Recife.
