Shock and sadness in the opening match for team USA in the group of death. In one of the most intricate, amazing and absolutely thrilling matches we have ever seen, the U.S. defeated Ghana 2-1, securing the ever so crucial three points and finally slaying the dragon that has eliminated them in the past two World Cups.
Shock: USA’s Clint Dempsey scored in a US record 30 seconds. The early goal, absolutely shocked the Natal, Brazil crowd and left all of Africa with their mouths agape. Fans from all over America were watching and cheering as the United States took an important 1-0 lead early.
Sadness: Those cheers quickly turned to screams, as US Superstar, Jozy Altidore, “Stars and Stripes” best striker, was injured in the 20th minute with a very serious hamstring injury. The initial reports were a hamstring strain, but more than likely, he will be done for the tournament.
Aron Johannssonn came in for Altidore who was carted off the pitch and immediately taken to the locker room. “The game was a grind, I told the guys we would have chances late and we did.” Klinsmann said.
Indeed it was a war of attrition as it seemed like every which way you looked, a United States player was getting hurt, hit or seriously injured.
After Altidore’s injury, Clint Dempsey was kicked in the face and more than likely broke his nose, as he was left bloody and beaten. A fight broke out at the 45th minute between USA’s Jermaine Jones and Ghana’s Sulley Muntari after a scuffle on the pitch. Team USA’s star defender, Matt Besler, then came up limping late in the first half grabbing his hamstring and did not return for the second half.
He was replaced in the second half by super sub, John Brooks. Brooks, born in Berlin, Germany, but raised in Illinois with his father, was one of the young, inexperienced players not expected to play in this match. Throughout the second half Brooks appeared to be lost and out of place, constantly being yelled at by goalkeeper, Tim Howard.
Howard, who early this week Klinsmann called one of the top 5 goalies in the world, was superb in goal. At least 3-4 highlight reel saves were made by the Everton keeper.
Howard looked like a symphony composer between the pipes as he constantly and consistently orchestrated his teammates around the defending box. He barked his instructions to defenders, John Brooks and Kyle Beckerman on where to be, who to track and how to stop the dangerous and often time’s dominant Black Stars offensive attack.
With injuries running rampant, and the humidity rising, the United States seemed content to sit back and park the bus in the second half. Earlier in the week, Howard said that team USA was ready to “break out of their cage,” in their match versus Ghana. But in actuality, it appeared like the United States team broke out of their cage for thirty seconds and then simply wanted to escape, survive and live to fight another day.
It was clear to any observer that the USMNT was just looking to hang on. The Black Stars attacked in numbers in the second half. You could sense that a Ghana equalizer was imminent and it happened in the 83rd minute when Ghana’s Andrew Ayew, momentarily broke America’s hearts by striking the back of the net off an absolutely superb assist by Asamoah Gyan.
Then came the most dramatic and thrilling moment since Donovan’s last minute goal in South Africa. Struggling super sub, John Brooks scored off a corner kick in the 86th minute. It was a difficult situation that Brooks found himself thrown into when he had to replace the great, Matt Besler, but he became the hero on that set piece, and with his goal, the first ever goal scored by an American substitute in World Cup play.
Dempsey’s opening minute goal was the fastest goal ever scored by the USMNT, and the sixth fastest goal in World Cup history. Dempsey received a throw in and seemed to catch the Black Stars napping, taking the ball all the way into the box and sending a beautiful strike to the right post for the goal.
As team USA dropped back in the second half to lick their wounds and protect their lead, Ghana kept the pressure on and off the pitch with a steady steam of substitutions every ten minutes. The first sub in the second half for Ghana was Kevin-Prince Boateng who came in at the 58 minute mark and should have been starting from the beginning in my opinion. Boateng is one of the best midfielders in the world, and scored against the United States four years ago in South Africa, eliminating them from the World Cup.
His presence was immediately felt as he kept delivering passes and opportunities to his young athletic teammates.
The chess match between Klinsmann and Ghana coach, Kwesi Appiah was fun to watch as Appiah continually threw young, fresh bodies at the United States as it was evident they were content to hold their 1-0 lead and just try to survive the match.
The move for Appiah appeared to work after Ayew’s equalizer, but the most tatical move of the match came in the 76th minute, 10 minutes before the game winning goal.
Klinsmann used his third and final sub for team USA when he replaced Alejandro Bedoya with Sporting KC standout, Graham Zusi. The move was a surprisingly positive move at the time as Zusi is a creative and offensive threat. The move meant that with less than fifteen minutes left to go in the match, Klinsmann still wanted to try and get that second goal.
The tactical move worked as it was Zusi who took the corner and placed an absolute perfect ball that Brooks was able to head into the net for the go ahead goal. Check mate.
Game Notes:
The USMNT have now scored in their last six World Cup games, the best run for the US since they had eight in a row between 1930 and 1990. Ghana had a World Cup high, 21 shots in tonight’s game. With Dempsey’s goal in the first 30 seconds, he has now scored in three straight World Cup Tournaments.
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