Ghana meets the USA in a Group E encounter today, June 22 in Nuremburg at 4:00 PM German time (10:00 AM EST)
The two most important matches in this World Cup as far as US chances go. Every US fan will be rooting for both the US team and the Italians, and every US fan will be the coach for both teams. Switching back and forth between one channel and the other, like a nervous tic.
Group E is wide open:
Team Points GD
Italy 4 +2
Czech Republic 3 +1
Ghana 3 0
USA 1 -3
The equation is simple, the US has to win against Ghana, and the Italians have to prevail over the Czechs. No team is assured of a place. The Italians have the most options here, they can advance with a draw, with a US win or a draw. They can advance with a loss provided the US win but do not make up the goal differntial.
The US midfield vs the Ghana duo of Stephen Appiah and Michael Essien
The US has to be worried about the Ghana midfield which is their main strength, primarily responsible for dismantling the Czech defence. It was Appiah’s pass that set up Gyan’s goal and Essien was responsible for the Muntari goal, which was a bit of individual briliance too. The midfield of Ghana has much more speed, with Appiah proving to be aggressive going for his shots. The US and Reyna counters this with slowing the pace down and creating chances with short, crisp passes playing possesion soccer. Against the Italians, they became somewhat one dimensional floating the long ball to Brian McBride, and the Italians took note.
Both teams are missing key players due to suspensions, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, the two goalscorers for Ghana. The US is without Eddie Pope and Pablo Mastroeni. The missing Mastroeni hurts because of his versatility, ability to play in any defensive position combining both attack and falling back on defence.
Greg Berhalter or Jimmy Conrad will take Eddie Pope’s place and Carlos Bocanegra will take over the right full back spot. Of the two, Conrad is much quicker and his speed in tackling and clearing the ball could be crucial in breaking up the free flowing Ghana attack.
The US defence plays well in patches, and then there is the breakdown, as seen in the Koller and Gilardino goal. On the other hand, the US has created very little by the way of attack. Brian McBride has been a non-factor. The US has yet to score a goal.
Landon Donovan had a much better game against the Italians and Clint Dempsey brought a lot of energy up front. Along with Brian McBride, they can test goalkeeper Richard Kingson. He has been especially busy with 14 saves in the two matches, which might indicate that the US can take advantage of a somewhat soft Ghana defence. A few good early blasts might test Kingson’s abilities.
Ghana and the US have never met before.