DESPITE SECURING A PLACE in the knock-out stages, the USA are not resting on their laurels and are planning on staying in Brazil for a few more weeks.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has instructed his players to tell their families to change their flight plans and postpone leaving the country until after the World Cup final takes place on 13th July.

Julio Cortez / AP/Press Association Images Julio Cortez / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

The positivity has had the desired effect with the players energised and confident ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Belgium in Salvador. Defender Omar Gonzalez has been speaking about the players’ reaction to Klinsmann’s tactics:

Jürgen has been nothing but positive. He’s telling us, he’s telling our families to change our flights to July 14, 15, because we’re going to be here until the very end. So that just speaks volumes to how positive he is, how much he believes in this team, and obviously it trickles down to all of us. That means that we’re all as confident as he is, and that we all believe in this team. We plan on being here a few more weeks.”

The US finished second in Group G, racking up four points from their three games including a victory over Ghana.

They’re hoping to reach the last eight of the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

Colombian commentary for Rodríguez’s wondergoal was predictably brilliant

Mexican striker Erick Torres hits a sublime volley in the MLS