Preview: Ghana vs. USA

June 22nd, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

GAME DETAILS
Ghana vs. United States, Frankfurt, 16:00 CET
Travel to Nuremburg
Bet on Ghana vs. United States (UK Bets Here)
World Cup Gear: Ghana | United States
THE BIG PICTURE
Ghana can guarantee progression with a win, and a draw puts them though if the Czech Republic lose to Italy. Nothing less than a win gets the US out of Group E, and even then they’re hoping Italy beat the Czechs. Otherwise it’s calculators at the ready (big ones) to figure out the goal differentials. Should be as complicated as it is exciting.

SCOUT REPORT – USA

Which USA will show up? The timid bunch that capitulated to the Czechs, or the aggressive warriors that fought out a 1-1 draw against Italy with just nine men. Either way, they’re going to have to start finding the net as no US player has scored yet. The good news is that Landon Donovan looked like the player he’s supposed to be against Italy, the bad news is that Mastroeni and Pope are suspended, and both will be missed. Pope is just about replaceable, but USA don’t have a like for like defensive midfielder to fill Mastroeni’s boots. If injury prone John O’Brien is fit he may be the man for the job, though “if” and “prone” aren’t nearly strong enough words.

SCOUT REPORT – GHANA
Ghana may have won one and lost one, but they’re the only team in Group E to have played well in both games. Michael Essien has been nothing short of brilliant, and there’s no reason he won’t continue his good form against the US. Only doubt for this in-form, talented team is the absence through suspension of Muntari and Gyan, both of whom are suspended. Ghana’s African Nations Cup performance suggested a lack of depth in the talent pool, we’ll find out today if there’s anything beneath the surface.

Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers, name, caps, goals

Ghana (4-4-2): 22-Richard Kingston (35-0); 15-John Paintsil (23-0), 13-Habib Mohammed (2-0) 5-John Mensah (35-0), 7-Shilla Illiasu (4-0); 9-Derek Boateng (12-3), 8-Michael Essien (19-4), 10-Stephen Appiah (44-11), 20-Otto Addo (14-1); 14-Matthew Amoah (18-7), 19-Razak Pimpong (6-0) Coach: Ratomir Dujkovic

United States (4-4-2): 18-Kasey Keller (95-0); 3-Carlos Bocanegra (41-6), 22-Oguchi Onyewu (16-1), 13-Jimmy Conrad (16-0), 6-Steve Cherundolo (37-1); 17-DaMarcus Beasley (60-12), 10-Claudio Reyna (111-8), 21-Landon Donovan (83-25), 8-Clint Dempsey (22-5); 20-Brian McBride (94-30), 9-Eddie Johnson (19-9) Coach: Bruce Arean

LIVEBLOG
Follow the match highlights as they happen on the Ghana vs. USA LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match

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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS

Ghana

Ghana will be without both their scorers from the Czech Republic game – Sulley Ali Muntar and Asamoah Gyan – because of yellow card accumulation.

Ghana, playing at their first World Ccup, have won the African Nations Cup four times.

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic: “They (the U.S.) have to worry and they will suffer in this match because the Black Stars team is young, competitive and very strong and they’re not afraid of anybody.”

Ghana Team Blog
<a href="http://ghana.worldcupblog.org/group-e/2006-ghana-world-cup-squad.html
Buy a Ghana jersey to support the team

United States

Seven of the U.S. squad play or have played in Germany — Reyna, Keller, Cherundolo, Donovan, Cory Gibbs, Gregg Berhalter and Brian McBride.

U.S. coach Bruce Arena: “This is our biggest game in the World Cup. We’re going to have to throw everything into this game to try to win it.”

United States Team Blog
Team Roster
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TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS

Ghana Team Blog
USA Team Blog

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Hex

I predict Ghana is going to rip a new one into the US team, if they show up. :)
ETucker

Hex- “if they show up” is the big question.

I hope both teams show up so neither one can make excuses.

It will also be interesting to see how the teams cope with key losses due to yellow cards….
ETucker

Where is the starting XI?
Stuart

Biggest test the US have faced, given the setting and what’s at stake, and their opponent. The US either stays on the path of increasing development, or takes a big step backwards.
ETucker

STARTING XI PLEASE. Eithe World Cup Blog steps onto the big stage and gives us the starting XI, or it takes a step backwards :)
Hex

Off I go to the live ghana-us blog. CU there.