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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Ghana v USA Open Thread

Ghana v USA Open Thread

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Some of the keys to a US victory:

Stretch their defense. Ghana has been playing a 4-5-1 formation. They’re a defensive-oriented team that has scored two goals thus far, both on PK’s.

As always, don’t give up an early goal. I have little doubt that if Ghana gets the first goal, they’ll shut down their attack and put everyone behind the ball.

Keep the fire and passion, but keep your heads. The disciplinary record has been very good so far. Now is not the time to lose your cool.

Stay organized. It’s worked so far.

Reader Interactions

322Comments

  5. 5.

    Violet

    Go USA! I hope they remember to play from the first moment on the pitch.

    Bob Bradley takes understated to a whole new level.

  6. 6.

    Frank Chow

    I would add that they need to finish scoring opportunities when they arise. In addition, Ghana seems to be a menace in the box for opposing defenses. The US defense will have to stay tight and not foul. The refs have been rather clear about this throughout the tournament. It should be a great match and I am hoping the US comes out as aggressive as they did against Algeria.

    USA! USA!

  7. 7.

    Rommie

    If it comes down to PK’s (I hope not, but…) at least the US has a real advantage – Howard is a top-level goalkeeper

  9. 9.

    Bootlegger

    Not Bornstein! He’s going to get pwned by the Ghanian wingers. And Findley? If there is one team that can counter his speed, this is it. Why not go for muscle (Buddle) or guile (Herc)?
    Damned Bradley Sr. has me in heart palpitations already.

  10. 10.

    Turgid Jacobian

    @Violet: He’s a menace to trouser-wearing people everywhere. Just about the Platonic ideal of a coach, really. Or Skeletor. I can’t decide.

  11. 11.

    Bootlegger

    @beltane: Wow, that takes conspiracy theory to a whole new level. “Our team was bought off so Slovakia could restart dangerous nuclear power stations.”

  13. 13.

    Bootlegger

    I like Donovan’s attitude that he has to take over the game. Kobe’s in the house and hopefully he gave our star winger a word about how to win championships with a team on your back.

  17. 17.

    Corner Stone

    @Bootlegger:

    Kobe’s in the house and hopefully he gave our star winger a word about how to win championships with a team on your back.

    Go 6 for 24 and shoot like 29% in the fourth quarter?

  18. 18.

    Bootlegger

    @beltane: Sure, and we have our own conspiracy theories but they are usually more parsimonious like “they hate us for our freedoms.” Leave it to the Eyeties to conjure up something like international nucular power issues to explain a sporting event.

  21. 21.

    Bootlegger

    @Corner Stone: Yes, Kobe couldn’t shoot, but he did other things to win that game.

    Either headed for the locker room or the sideline and a sub, with oxygen ready next to the Koolfans or heated benches.

  25. 25.

    Cacti

    I wonder if having the entire African continent cheering for them will energize Ghana or make them feel extra pressure.

    Maybe a little of both?

  28. 28.

    Violet

    Love the Guardian liveblog:

    Bill Clinton is in the crowd. After the USA’s late winner against Algeria, he said there comes a time in all sporting contests, wars and what not that that “it becomes a head-game”. I suppose if anyone would know about head-games, it’s Bill.

    Heh.

  29. 29.

    PanAmerican

    What’s with the Africa unite sunshine pumping? Can you imagine a crowd of Brazilians rooting for Argentina over the US in the name of continental unity?

    Pic of the day.

  39. 39.

    PanAmerican

    It’s unbelievable with this team.

    Now Ghana will flop and goof around for 85 minutes.

  45. 45.

    Dave C

    On a happier note, I think Clint Dempsey is pretty damn hot. If that makes me a little gay, I just don’t care!

  59. 59.

    Violet

    This seems really bad for the US. The US team seems sluggish and slow. Or something.

  64. 64.

    Shalimar

    Is there anyone other than Bob Bradley who doesn’t realize that Bornstein, Clark and Findley aren’t the best players at their positions? And I know Altidore is the best shot the US has ever had at developing a true star striker, but he hasn’t been impressive any of the times I have watched. It seems like he is always a step or two short of catching up with balls.

  66. 66.

    You Don't Say

    Either I’m getting used to them or those vuzetc. horns aren’t as loud today. I thought they’d be insanely loud with the last African team playing.

  68. 68.

    Corner Stone

    For “a defensive-oriented team” they sure seem to spend a hell of a lot of time on our end of the ice.

  69. 69.

    benjoya

    is this the same team that wrestled the fearsome english leviathan to a tie and utterly vanquished the unstoppable football genius of algeria? how could this happen? why, it’s almost like the USA was in a group with a bunch of chumps. no, that’s impossible, which will be proven when the english hand germany their ass tomorrow, right?

  71. 71.

    Violet

    Who’s supposed to be marking Prince Boateng? He seems to be wide open all the time.

    Oh, good. Clark is coming off.

  77. 77.

    Rommie

    The uniforms might be a little tight around the neck. They need to get to halftime without letting in another goal.

  78. 78.

    Andy K

    @Shalimar:

    Is there anyone other than Bob Bradley who doesn’t realize that Bornstein, Clark and Findley aren’t the best players at their positions?

    Findley: Wouldn’t be playing if Charlie Davies hadn’t nearly died less than a year ago. He’s speedier than Gomez and Buddle, which is something you need against Ghana.

    Clark: Agreed. Mo Edu should have started.

    Bornstein: If Gooch was fit enough to have regained his form, he’d be in the central back position, and Bocanegra would be playing at left back.

  79. 79.

    PanAmerican

    The winner will score in the next 8 minutes.

    Michael Bradley needs to stop hanging people out to dry with sloppy passing

  80. 80.

    Bootlegger

    @Andy K: Findley’s speed is cancelled out by the Ghanians, better to pick another trait like strength or guile.

  82. 82.

    Bootlegger

    See, Findley is fast but so are the Ghanian backs. Buddle or Gomez would be better.

  89. 89.

    wengler

    Not a good half for the US, but I think Ghana is making a mistake being this defensive this early.

    A clear mistake in starting Clark at midfield. Clark has a history of making impulsive tackles and he really doesn’t add anything over Edu.

  92. 92.

    Bootlegger

    @wengler: I agree on Clark v. Edu.

    Also, the Ghanians are running hard, can they sustain it? The Magic 8-Ball sez…….”yes”! Well, first it said “ask again later”.

  98. 98.

    Mr. White

    I am surprised at Howard… I really am.

    The defender did his job by limiting Prince to the near post and Howard had amateur positioning. That goal is mostly on him (and partially on Clark).

  100. 100.

    Mr. White

    BTW- I heard the color guy employ “also, too” in the first half.

    Goddamnit.

  104. 104.

    GR

    Grr, frustrating half. Second or third the comments about Findley not being able to finish. He has an open shot at the goal and hits it low and almost directly at the keeper. Altidore does look slow today, and his ball handling and passing have been much worse than vs. Algeria.

    Glad to see they are being in Feilhaber. He was great at handling the ball last game, and I’m ready to give up on Findley for all time based on what I’ve seen from him in the WC. And Dempsey looks like he has something to prove today. I expect a very good second half from him.

    As I type this: aghhh! Feilhaber, put that in already! Why can’t we put some of these shots away?

  113. 113.

    GR

    Psst Altidore, the ball is still in play. Instead of standing around and calling for a penalty, maybe kick the ball at the goal.

    And as I type this, penalty!

  114. 114.

    Nick

    It’s all fixed. It’s a plot engineered by Major League Baseball because they don’t want soccer to become popular in America and risk their monopoly on summer sports.

    First they tried to pay off the refs, then when that they didn’t work, they went directly to the team and said “hey, guys, you’ll all have nice contracts back home if you blow this game”

    and now Americans will hate soccer again and go back to being enslaved and raped by the fat cats at MLB.

  119. 119.

    Leeds man

    Oh, I don’t think that should have been a penalty. The defender came from the side, and did get the ball.

  122. 122.

    Kryptik

    Ironic I suppose that against Ghana, who hadn’t scored a non-PK goal before this game, we had to even it up on a PK.

  142. 142.

    stuckinred

    @Bootlegger: Think about it, Mick Jagger is the least questionable of the three.
    “I said my my like the spider to the fly,
    jump right ahead in my web”!

  144. 144.

    Bootlegger

    Ghanna is tiring, now we just need that one piece of brilliance.

    Almost there, Bradley had more time.

  148. 148.

    Comrade Luke

    Altidore is stinking up the joint, but the crappy starting lineup made us waste a substitution early so now we’re stuck with him.

  154. 154.

    Comrade Luke

    @Bootlegger:

    We do, but we need to save it for an injury imo, or possibly for a strategic substitution should we think we’re headed to penalty kicks.

  162. 162.

    Comrade Luke

    @Violet: Dempsey’s a total warrior. He rarely gets through a game without being bloodied. Love that guy.

  165. 165.

    Bootlegger

    @Zam: The fullbacks are the two outside defenders. The halfbacks are the defensive midfielders. These are the only fractions on the field.

  178. 178.

    Bootlegger

    @TR: Still tied in stoppage time. Both teams playing cagey not wanting to give up a late goal.

  179. 179.

    Comrade Luke

    Really nervous. Both teams are tired and playing for extra time. That’s when mistakes happen.

  185. 185.

    Ella in New Mexico

    @JenJen:

    Yes, it means they play two 15-min halves and who ever has the highest score wins. If they are still tied, that’s when they go to the shoot out.

  187. 187.

    Bootlegger

    Ghana seemed to recover there at the end. We need to pressure from the get-go in OT.

  189. 189.

    Comrade Luke

    Extra time is often “stall until PKs”, but with both teams so tired I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or even two goals here.

  190. 190.

    Bootlegger

    @Comrade Luke: I love world football and absolutely hate PKs. They should have open substitution and play 15 minute periods until there is a winner.

  192. 192.

    MattR

    Heckuva game. Bob Bradley really needs to hypnotize the team so that they think they are down a goal at the start of the game.

    Jumping ahead, who are the five penalty takers for the USA? Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Feilhaber and Gomez?

  196. 196.

    Comrade Luke

    @MattR:

    Those are as good as any, but I hope Bradley told Gomez “it’s up to you to make sure this doesn’t get to PKs”

  211. 211.

    Comrade Luke

    Great finish on that goal, but you should never, ever, ever, ever give up a 1-on-2.

  216. 216.

    The Dangerman

    To a newbie like me, it looked like Altidore should have scored on that late opportunity; that could be the missed chance that sends the US home.

    Speaking of newbie questions, why are the Goalie colors SO different; I have to assume it is like QB’s in our Football, don’t hit the guy in red. Fine. But the poor goalie for Ghana doesn’t make violet look that good; so, who chooses the color?

  223. 223.

    The Dangerman

    @Bootlegger:

    @The Dangerman: The only player that can use hands must be easy to see.

    OK, that makes sense, I’m just surprised it isn’t something universal (all goalies wear black) or at least tied to team colors (although red and yellow makes purple, right?).

  230. 230.

    Amir_Khalid

    @Violet: Going by the rules, just long enough to swap ends and resume play. No 15-minute break, unlike at the 45-minute mark of regular play.

    By the way, the US is lucky that FIFA abandoned “golden-goal” (i.e. sudden death) extra time years ago.

  233. 233.

    Phurge

    Goalies used to always wear green, because it was thought it made them harder to see and thus gave a tiny advantage. Now, they wear very bright colours, because it’s thought that this makes them seem “bigger” and throws attackers off. But there’s no real evidence for either idea.

  237. 237.

    JasonF

    @Violet:

    Why does the guy have to go on a stretcher to go about three feet?

    Because Ghana is hamming it up in an effort to run out the clock.

  246. 246.

    Comrade Luke

    Not to put too fine a point on it, but: wasting a sub at the 30min is hitting us where it hurts right now

  258. 258.

    Violet

    They were a great team to watch. Lots of heart and grit. If only they could learn to play in the first 15 minutes of a match, they’d be in a lot better shape. Still proud of them.

  262. 262.

    Therese

    I’m a total soccer novice. This is the first World Cup I’ve watched…only because I’ve got a soccer-loving kid. It’s been fun cheering for the USA and I’ve learned a lot from Randinho and these threads. So bummed they are out.

  263. 263.

    Bootlegger

    Ghana had the lowest shooting percentage of the tournament, you just knew they were going to finish some chances in this game.

  264. 264.

    Nick

    @Peter J:

    Uruguay will eat up Ghana, like they would have eaten up the US team too.

    Team USA, the Bill Halter of Soccer.

  265. 265.

    Dr. Squid

    You let the guy get behind the defense like that, a goal’s gonna happen.

    Watched that one on Univision just to hear the call. He didn’t disappoint, unlike the USA defense.

  266. 266.

    some other guy

    @Jay C:

    Bummer – tough game, but we were just outplayed out-laid around on the ground.

    This the first soccer game I’ve ever watched, and I doubt I’ll ever watch another. Any game where the rules encourages flopping and time-wasting as a winning strategy is not one that’s very interesting to me, I guess.

  267. 267.

    Comrade Luke

    Our boys gave it their all, but in the end they just ran out of gas.

    The lesson for next time is that we need to be stronger up the middle: lockdown defender, strong midfielder, scoring threat at striker.

    Just like baseball you need to be strongest up the middle, and that’s where we’re missing the top-notch talent. Most of the guys we want in those positions are playing cornerback in the NFL or forward in the NBA. No use whining about it – we’re a country of 310 million, surely we can find half a dozen stars!

    Go USA!

  268. 268.

    Sock Puppet of the Great Satan

    “@Sock Puppet of the Great Satsn: What happened to your handle?”

    iPhone fat fingers.

    World’s best defense forces, except in soccer. Ghana’s defense was formidable though. They played the better game.

    That free kick in the 1st half of extra time should have been a penalty, though.

  269. 269.

    MattR

    The US team completely stopped playing through midfield once they got the goal. Maybe the Ghanaians adjusted to make it more difficult, but the American response of just whacking long balls from the back line was frustrating to watch.

  270. 270.

    Comrade Luke

    @some other guy:

    Any game where the rules encourages flopping and time-wasting as a winning strategy is not one that’s very interesting to me, I guess.

    Every sport has this.

  275. 275.

    some other guy

    Every sport has this.

    Other sports have rules that at least make an attempt to limit it. The shot clock in the NBA, for instance. Or the injury time-outs in the NFL (and associated rule that the injured player MUST leave the game for a time). Also, neither of these sports allows 30+ seconds to run off the clock while one of the teams makes a substitution, or leisurely strolls to the sideline to inbound.

  277. 277.

    Comrade Luke

    @some other guy:

    True, but no sport allows the referee to add more time to the end based on those exploits, and there is a rule in soccer that allows the referee to call issue a yellow card to someone for flopping.

    The rules are there but they are not enforced enough. No ref wants to be the one that actually calls something like this and have it change the result of a game, but that’s exactly what needs to happen if they ever want it to stop.

  279. 279.

    dairyfarmmagnet

    I didn’t watch the game; granted, I haven’t watched any World Cup game (just not interested). But as long as the U.S. team did their best and played their hardest, then they’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. Congrats to all.

    That being said, can we now stop pretending that soccer matters in the U.S. and go back to what we do normally – just ignoring it? The MLB All-Star game is coming up, and the biggest and best free-agency class in the history of the NBA is about to be unleashed! Here’s hoping that LeBron and Chris Bosh end up wearing Bulls uniforms (that’s right – F.U. Knicks fans)!

  281. 281.

    Randinho

    @some other guy: They add the time on at the end of the halves. The referee keeps the time on the field. he then advises the 4th official how much will be added on from stoppages like subs and injuries.

  283. 283.

    HJay

    @some other guy:

    You probably noticed that the ref added three extra minutes to the playing time in the second half of the extra time. That means that Ghana’s time wasting was cancelled out.

  284. 284.

    some other guy

    If that was why the US lost, you might have a point, but it’s not why they lost, so you don’t.

    Perhaps not. But it seems to me that having a few extra minutes of playing time (rather than laying around on the ground time or walking to the sideline time) certainly would’ve given the US more chances to score.

  289. 289.

    Comrade Luke

    @MattR:

    Possibly a bit of both. It’s kind of like when a team is way behind in basketball and gives it their all to catch up, then can’t finish.

    I wish they wouldn’t have let Ghana get their legs back, regardless of why. Totally changed the outcome.

    The other major problem is that when we had the momentum Altidore couldn’t finish, either because he sucked today or because he was hurt. Either way, Bradley was hamstrung because he’d wasted a sub at the 30min mark to correct his own lineup mistake.

    The fact that he was still tinkering with the starting lineup this late in the tournament boggles my mind.

  293. 293.

    You Don't Say

    @MattR: 538 gives them good odds but I’ve heard almost nothing about them. I’ll check out their next game.

  294. 294.

    Dr. Squid

    @some other guy:

    You mean like kneeling on the ball with two minutes to go?

    Besides the ref tacked 3 minutes onto a 15 minute period just for that flop. Extending a period by 20% is a significant addition.

  295. 295.

    Jim in Chicago

    I don’t get the decision to start Clark (and yes, I questioned it before the game started). His distracted play was a carbon copy of his performance in the England game. I also would have preferred to see Buddle over any of the forwards who played tonight. His aggressiveness and nose for the goal makes things happen.

    It was nice of Ghana to decide not to begin playing the 2nd half until we scored. Too bad they didn’t make that mistake after they scored in extra time. And for us to give up a “Route 1” goal up the middle like that was shameful.

    Still, credit to the Ghanaians. They played a great game with crisp passing (except the first part of the 2nd half). When the announcers said the US would have to beat them with our superior tactics I was wondering what they were smoking….

  296. 296.

    Jim in Chicago

    @Randinho:

    Given Ghana’s stalling tactics, the 3 minutes were entirely appropriate.

    P.S. I thought the officiating was very good.

  297. 297.

    Dr. Squid

    I’m rooting for Japan now. I’d also like to see Mexico send the sweaty fat fuck home.

  299. 299.

    JenJen

    You know, one really fun thing about that USA-GHA match?

    The way Landon Donovan’s penalty kick so closely mirrored all those fun scenarios in the Best Commercial Ever Made, the Nike World Cup ad. He’s even in it (look fast after Rooney falls apart).

    Sweat on the brow and everything. The goal lifted the spirits of a country for just a little while, and that’s kind of what it’s about, isn’t it? Hell, I dunno. I’m just desperately seeking to silver-line my cloud of disappointment. :-(

  301. 301.

    burnspbesq

    @Comrade Luke:

    The lesson for next time is that we need to be stronger up the middle: lockdown defender, strong midfielder, scoring threat at striker.

    Our lockdown defender was way less than 100 percent due to the lingering effects of a knee injury, and our best forward was nearly killed in a car wreck last fall and isn’t ready to resume playing yet.

    Whatever the question is, Ricardo Clark is not the answer.

    Dagnabbit.

  302. 302.

    Felanius Kootea (formerly Salt and freshly ground black people)

    @You Don’t Say: That would be Italy, but they’re already out. Argentina’s not a bad team to root for.

  303. 303.

    SLKRR

    @Fern:

    Why not Portugal? Just curious.

    Because they’re the dirtiest team left. España should be able to beat them if they are on their game.

    I’d love to see Argentina lose, too, just to shut Maradona up, but I don’t think México is strong enough to do it, unless they get some divine assistance or a good bit of luck.

    Sucks about the USA… now I’m gonna have to hear all about it over and over from now until this thing is done (or until Brasil loses, if they do).

  304. 304.

    You Don't Say

    @Fern: I said I was looking for a team to root for now that the USA is done, or a team to root against, such as the dirtiest team. Randinho said Portugal might be the dirtiest and that was my reply.

    I am a total soccer novice but enjoying the WC. I have nothing against nobody. ;-)

  305. 305.

    Cacti

    If Altidore rips it on that 1 on 2 in the box, rather than diving to draw a PK…

    Team USA advances.

    What a shame.

  306. 306.

    Fern

    @You Don’t Say: Me too – this is the first time I have really paid any attention to the world cup, and I’m quite enjoying it. Not sure which team to cheer for either.

  309. 309.

    Bruce (formerly Steve S.)

    @Jim in Chicago:

    P.S. I thought the officiating was very good.

    It’s interesting that after all the bellyaching about the officiating it turned out not to matter at all from the U.S. perspective. In fact, the fluke goal given up by England was more consequential. If you give the U.S. all the disputed goals but take away the goal against England they go through as second place and get Germany in the round of 16. As it was they got another lucky break when Ghana got through instead of Serbia. In their four games the U.S. played, by latest FIFA rankings, the 8th, 20th, 22nd, and 24th teams in the field of 32. The U.S. was quite frankly a lucky team in this World Cup, and their luck would have continued if they’d gotten by Ghana and faced Uruguay, the 13th team in the field.

  310. 310.

    benjoya

    “I am proud, as an Argentine, to repudiate this human garbage, George W. Bush”

    reason enough for me to support Argentina.

  312. 312.

    Leeds man

    @benjoya:

    That’s only because you don’t know the reasons not to support Argentina. For: Messi, Tevez. Against: It’s fucking Argentina, ferchrissakes. Oh yeah, and Maradona.

    Personally, I’d prefer Argentina to beat Mexico on the off chance that England can beat Germany and then Argentina, just to see the little man’s face at the final whistle. And no, that has nothing to do with ’86. Well, maybe a bit.

  314. 314.

    benjoya

    i think messi is great, and when higuian scored his hat trick, messi did his part, showing him as a strong supporting player, too. did you see that game?

    what’s wrong with maradona? he was a great player, never beat his wives or girlfriends AFAIK and he probably won’t make the mistake of the last coach to keep messi out when he was needed. maybe not enough family values for you?

  315. 315.

    benjoya

    Against: It’s fucking Argentina, ferchrissakes. Oh yeah, and Maradona.

    can’t argue with your logic.

  316. 316.

    benjoya

    I’d prefer Argentina to beat Mexico on the off chance that England can beat Germany and then Argentina,

    ha, you’re funny. maybe you haven’t been paying attention: England could not defeat the United States. You think they’re gonna beat Germany, let alone Argentina?

  317. 317.

    Leeds man

    @benjoya:

    You haven’t seen many World Cups, have you? If you judge upcoming performances on recent ones, Serbia should still be in the running.

    Will England beat Germany? I have no idea. Can they? You bet. This is why I love the game.

  318. 318.

    benjoya

    yes, of course, anything is possible, and Argentina’s defense can be unreliable, but watching the US-England game, it looked to me like 2 also-rans. maybe england can step it up tomorrow.

  320. 320.

    Leeds man

    @benjoya:

    See, that’s why you have to watch more than one game. If you had, you’d know that Portugal will win the cup because they beat North Korea 7-0.

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