Ghana 2-1 United States, And Another Four-Year Wait Begins

The United States has been seen out of the World Cup, but it took 120 minutes and an extra time goal from Asamoah Gyan to see them out.

The Ghanaian strike put home his third goal of the tournament in the 93rd minute, a left-footed half-volley from eight yards out put into the top of the next giving Ghana a 2-1 lead. The Black Stars would hold on to the lead for the next 27 minutes.

Milovan Rajevac has used his final substitution in the 113th minute, taking off Samuel Inkoom, who had just spend time on the ground injured, off for Sulley Muntari.

Inkoom was a surprise starting in midfield and is subbed-off for Muntari, whose fractious relationship with Ghana’s coach has seen him out of the team.

Jozy Altidore’s day for the United States against Ghana came to an end with regulation time; he was replaced by Herculez Gomez to start overtime. For the Ghanaians, that’s probably a positive development.

But that’s not because Altidore was playing especially well; indeed, he seemed to be a step slow or just off for most of the match. But during the US’s dominant second half, Altidore truly grew as a soccer player. And by that we mean he flopped multiple times.

The first period of extra time is done, with the United States trailing Ghana, 2-1.

The U.S. has been unable to generate a decent scoring chance since Asamoah Gyan put the Ghanaians ahead in the 93rd minute, a left-footed finish beating Tim Howard from eight yards out.

Three minutes into extra time, a ball played behind the United States defense saw Asamoah Gyan beat Jay DeMerit and Stade Rennes teammate Carlos Bocanegra to the ball, with Gyan’s half-volley into the top of the net from ten yards out giving Ghana a 2-1, extra time lead.

Gyan ran across the face of his club teammate and beat the defender to a ball that bounded behind DeMerit. Gyan held off DeMerit to finish past Howard, giving Ghana a lead in the 93rd minute.

Just as Ghana controlled the first half, the United States looked the better side in the second half, with the halftime insertion of Benny Feilhaber invigorating the team.

The U.S. midfielder was on the end of a chance in the 46th minute and created the penalty kick that eventually equalized for the United States.

Ghana winger André Ayew has incurred a one match suspension as a result of a stoppage time yellow card, shown after his feet because entangled with Jozy Altidore, sending the U.S. forward to ground as he moved up-the-field with the ball.

Ayew carried a yellow card into the match, his Saturday booking earning him a suspension. He will miss the quarterfinals, should Ghana advance, or Ghana’s first match in African Cup of Nations qualifying.

A long ball played from the United States back line in the 81st minute momentarily put forward Jozy Altidore behind the Ghana defense, but central defender John Mensah was able to catch-up to the play, and with the two player tangling near 15 yards out, the U.S. striker’s left-footed chance was dragged wide to the right of Richard Kingson’s goal.

Altidore appeared to initiate contact with Mensah in an attempt to get a better angle on the ball. The two players were sent off-balance, with Altidore’s chance, as he went to ground, failing to go on goal.

Ghana has controlled the first half of play against the United States, using an early goal from Kevin Prince Boateng to take a 1-0 lead into halfitme.

If you quint your eyes and draw parallels, you can almost see Haminu Dramani taking the ball from Claudio Reyna and going down the field for Ghana’s first goal against the U.S. in Germany 2006. This year, Reyna was played by Ricardo Clark, who gave the ball away to Boateng (after an Anthony Annan challenge), and although Boateng did not go in alone on goal, the end result was the same, with Tim Howard giving the midfielder too much of the near post, letting in Boateng’s left-footed shot from 20 yards out.

Clint Dempsey has put another United States player behind the Ghanian defense, but whereas Michael Bradley ran onto the ball at a sharp angle to goal, Robbie Findley had an open chance on Ghana `keeper Richard Kingson from 16 yards. Findley’s shot to the near post was saved by Kingson, who kicked his left foot out to keep the score even.

Ghana leads the United States 1-0 in the 37th minute.

Bob Bradley has gone to his bench early.

Maurice Edu has replaced Ricardo Clark in a like-for-like substitution, replacing the central midfielder whose mistake started the attack that led to t he Ghana goal.

Michael bradley’s attempted pass across the six was cut off my Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson, culminating the United States’ best attack of the match.

In the 22nd minute, Clint Dempsey fed Michael Bradley through the defense, the midfielder’s run taking him to the byline. Eight yards from goal, Bradley turned on the ball and tried to fire a cross through the six. Richard Kingson laid out to cut-off the cross.

United States will be suspended for his next match, but it in the World Cup of the next FIFA sanctioned tournament, having picked up a yellow card in the 18th minute of the U.S. match versus Ghana.

Cherundolo brought down left winger André Ayew from behind along the attack’s left.

The United States have given up another early goal.

Ricardo Clark was dispossessed of the ball near midfield by Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng, who dribbled to within 20 yards of goal uncontested, beating Tim Howard to the goalkeeper’s right for the opening goal in the match’s sixth.

Ghana has made one change to the team that started the Black Stars’ final Group D match against Germany.

Right wing Prince Tagoe is out of the team. Samuel Inkoom, normally a right back, is in.

The United States has made two changes to the team that beat Algeria to qualify for the knockout stage.

Ricardo Clark is back in the team, making his first start since the tournament’s opening match against England. He will partner Michael Bradley in central midfield.