Falling twice to Ghana at the last two World Cups will serve as motivation for revenge by the United States, says Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan.

The two sides meet in Group G on Monday at the Estadio das Dunas in Natal to begin their World Cup adventure but guided by past clashes.

Ghana knocked the Americans out of the last two World Cups with 2-1 victories, beating the US in group stages in the 2006 tournament and in extra time during the Round of 16 four years ago.

Gyan, who scored the winner in extra time when Ghana sent the United States tumbling out in South Africa four years ago expects a vengeful American side to attempt overturning Ghana's winning run.

"It's going to make the game more difficult," said Gyan.

"They're coming for revenge. Mentally they don't want us to beat them for the third time.

"The USA are a good side, they're a very dangerous team, but we think of ourselves first."

Exceeding targets in each World Cup has not reduced the expectation back home as many believe the Black Stars can go one better in Brazil.

"Back home expectation is high. In 2006 we got through the group stage and in 2010 we got to the quarter-finals," said the Ghana captain.

"Now the people back home believe we can do more. That's pressure but sometimes pressure is a good thing. We believe in ourselves, we are confident in our quality."

Ghana are ranked behind the US and their other group members - Germany and Portugal, handing them the tag as underdogs in Group G but that doesn't seem to bother Gyan's ambitions.

"We know that's what everyone thinks about Ghana, that the other teams are favourites, which is statistically right," he said.

"But so far we've seen a lot of surprises in the tournament and we enjoy being underdogs. We need to make sure we be ourselves and do the right thing."