The USA will endeavour to pull off another World Cup 2022 shock when they open the last-16 stage against the Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Gregg Berhalter's side secured a second-placed finish in Group B after a 1-0 win over Iran, prior to which they had held Wales and England to 1-1 and 0-0 draws respectively.

The Stars and Stripes will be heading into their clash with Louis van Gaal's side as the underdogs, but there is still cause for optimism within the USA ranks as they bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.

Here, Sports Mole picks out three reasons for the USA to be confident of stunning the Netherlands to advance to the last eight of the World Cup.

Fond memories

Saturday's game will mark the first-ever competitive meeting between the USA and the Netherlands, and it will not come as too much of a surprise to learn that the Dutch won each of their opening four friendly encounters.

However, the USA ran out 4-3 winners in the most recent clash - a 2015 friendly - as Guus Hiddink's men fell to a dramatic 4-3 loss, despite finding themselves 3-1 up heading into the final 20 minutes.

A brace from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar alongside an effort from Memphis Depay put the Dutch in cruise control, although Gyasi Zardes had pulled one back for the USA before the floodgates opened.

John Brooks reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 70th minute before Danny Williams levelled the contest in the dying embers, but the drama did not stop there, as Bobby Wood hit a 90th-minute winner for the USA to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Both squads have undergone significant transformations since that showdown at the Johan Cruyff Arena, but the USA have already demonstrated their ability to recover from an improbable losing position against the 2010 World Cup runners-up.

In-form Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic's time at Chelsea has not exactly gone as he would have hoped so far, but the 24-year-old remains the standout name for his country and has proved exactly why he boasts that label in Qatar.

After coming up with the assist for Timothy Weah's opener against Wales, Pulisic was unlucky not to score in the subsequent goalless draw with England - crashing a shot against the woodwork - but he found the target against Iran to send his side through to the last 16.

The former Borussia Dortmund man was ostensibly hit where it hurts as he clattered into Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand while scoring, and concerns were raised when he was taken to hospital before it was announced that he had sustained a pelvic contusion.

While concerns are still lingering over his fitness, Pulisic told reporters earlier this week that he expects to be ready for the weekend as he aims to build on an impressive tally of four goals and two assists from his last nine games in a USA shirt.

Imperious Matt Turner

Matt Turner has only been granted limited chances to impress in the Arsenal XI this season as he plays backup to Aaron Ramsdale, but the USA number one has left Mikel Arteta pleased when given the chance to demonstrate his acumen in the Europa League.

The 28-year-old headed into the World Cup as Berhalter's number one, and he has justified his manager's decision with a string of competent showings, conceding just once and posting clean sheets against England and Iran.

Turner's distribution and ability to command his penalty area have both been singled out as two of his standout qualities, and the only goal that he has conceded at the World Cup so far was a Gareth Bale penalty - even then he guessed the right way but was beaten by the sheer power of the Welshman's spot kick.

With Turner in between the sticks, the USA have posted multiple clean sheets at a World Cup for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1930, but the Arsenal man now faces a much more daunting task as he attempts to keep the free-scoring Cody Gakpo at bay.

Read more on Netherlands vs USA

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