United States of America 2 - Ghana 1

Photo by Alex Livesey

United States of America were looking to avoid becoming the first side to lose to the same opponent in three straight FIFA World Cup finals as they took on rivals Ghana in Natal today. The Yanks got off to a dream start. Off a throw-in play, American captain Clint Dempsey shook Ghanaian centerback John Boye and then sprinted into the box before Boye could recover. Dempsey finished with his off-foot off the inside of the far post to give the Americans a 1-0 lead after just thirty seconds of play. After the first five minutes of the game, Ghana were in complete and utter control of the match. United States lost their starting forward Jozy Altidore to hamstring injury twenty minutes into the game, not that the American forward would have received much service on this night. Ghanaian right winger Christian Atsu was having a field day against American left back DaMarcus Beasley, and left centerback Matt Besler was miserable today in support. Atsu had multiple wide-open thirty-yard shots on this day, but somehow none went into the back of the net. Just beyond the half hour mark, Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan ripped a ball from just outside the box, but United States goalkeeper Tim Howard was able to push the ball to safety and protect the lead. There was a dangerous moment when Boye challenged Dempsey for a header. Boye was pushed in midair by Dempsey, causing him to land on his back, but Boye managed to kick Dempsey in the face. Dempsey appeared to have suffered a broken nose, but he remained in the match. More out of sheer luck than actual merit, United States led 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, nothing changed. Ghana were still dominant, and the Americans were forced to play ten men behind the ball. Still, Ghana were finding seams in the defense. Any time the Yanks gained possession, they failed to string together passes and the Black Stars would be back on the offensive. The only saving graces on this day for the Americans were defensive midfielders Kyle Beckerman (pictured, red) and Jermaine Jones, who continually won crucial tackles and made crucial blocks throughout the match. Ghanaian left back Kwadwo Asamoah had freedom to overlap during the entire game, and he picked a good spot with less than ten minutes to go. He caught substitute right winger Graham Zusi tucked too far inside and made the run up the sideline to receive a pass in space. Zusi caught up, but Asamoah cut inside and then played the ball forward to Gyan. American right back Fabian Johnson turned his back on Andre Ayew to go double-team the ball. Gyan backheeled to Ayew, who finished with the outside of his foot to level the match at 1-1. United States only managed three attempts on goal during the course of the match. Somehow, they scored on two of those chances. A Zusi corner kick went over the first line of Ghanaian defenders and came to the head of substitute centerback John Brooks's head. Brooks had beaten Boye to the spot, so he headed into the ground to cause the ball to bounce up and into the net. Some more desperate defending coupled with poor Ghanaian finishing allowed United States to win 2-1 in completely undeserved fashion. Brooks's first international goal proved to be the game-winner.

Germany 3 pts +4
USA 3 pts +1
Ghana 0 pts -1
Portugal 0 pts -4

Goals
United States of America
Clint Dempsey 1
John Brooks 86

Ghana
Andre Ayew 82

Match Reports:
http://soccer.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/06/16/usa-ghana-world-cup-commentary-recap-group-g-klinsmann
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=avenged-americans-beat-black-stars-2373427.html
http://soccer.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/06/16/john-brooks-usa-world-cup-ghana-winning-goal-dream
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/17/world-cup-2014-group-stage-day-5/ (Daily Summary)

Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186512/index.html