It may not have been a beautiful performance by any stretch but the US set out and got a result against Ghana. With an end score of 2-1 and goals coming from Clint Dempsey and John Brooks. The US battled fatigue and a relentless Ghana attack to snag the all coveted 3 points. Ghana controlled majority of the game and out shot the US team but were unable to capitalize on their chances. Ghana out shot the US and held more possessions while the US seemed to wilt in the heat. With hamstring injuries to Jozy Altidore and Matt Beasler it caused a shift in tactics for the US.
The first half was a rough one for the US. They started off with a bang and a bit of flare coming from the captain. Clint Dempsey received a pass from Jermaine Jones and maneuvered through the Black Stars defense and slotted it side netting for an early goal. The next 20 minutes was muddled down in the midfield with either team gaining a footing on the match. Jozy created a few half chances but in the 21st minute he was carted off with a hamstring injury. Tactically that changed the game dramatically for the US. Jozy is the target man who plays with his back. Losing Altidore took away the focal point of the US attack and Ghana started to accumulate possessions. Aron Johannsson came into the game but had minimal impact. Aron did get back and win a few balls but was unable to perform the hold up play like Jozy.
As the game went on players started to wilt in the heat as Ghana poured on the attack. Ghana was creating chance after chance but they hardly tested Tim Howard. The defense rose to the occasion time and time again. Geoff Cameron, Fabian Johnson continually kept Gyan on his heels and made him take rushed shots or glance headers that went wide. They kept the central areas of the pitch clogged which kept Ghana from getting open looks. Tim Howard continually directed the defense and put them into the right areas to stop the Ghana attack. Tim came up big with four saves. One save he did not make was Andrew Ayew’s near post goal in the 80th minute. Ghana was able to break down the defense and caught Brooks and Johnson out of position.
A defender that came up big for the US was John Brooks, who entered the game at half time after Matt Beasler was unable to continue. Brooks and Cameron have had limited time together paired at cb. It was obvious their communication was off a bit. But Brooks is able to make up for that with his size by winning 50/50 balls in the air. The most important was obviously his goal in the 86th minute. Fabian Johnson’s relentless efforts to earn a corner set the stage for John Brooks’ moment. Newly subbed in Graham Zusi who is known for his service put in a brilliant cross. John Brooks losses his defenders and snapped his head down and put the ball in the back of the net. A dream World Cup debut for the young German- American.
John Brooks stole the show but the dread locked duo won the game. Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman outworked the Ghanaian attack. Time and time again they closed down defenders and did the dirty work. Beckerman took a physical beating but continually won the ball. He was getting tackled, taken down, hit and thrown but he walked away with the ball. Kyle’s work rate was incredible, and was a key component in why the Black stars could not create clear scoring opportunities. Jones had an incredible defensive effort and he pushed himself to contribute offensively.
The US men are back in action this Sunday at 6pm ET against Portugal, a win and they will advance to the next round.
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