Preview: USA vs. Ghana, Round of 16

June 25th, 2010 | by: Ian Rose | View Comments

THE BIG PICTURE
After an incredibly dramatic group stage that saw emotions shift from anger to sadness to joy at remarkable pace, the USA has qualified for the World Cup round of 16 and won Group C. The bad calls, poor finishing and all of the other problems for the Yanks were briefly forgotten when Landon Donovan sank that injury-time winner over Algeria. Now it’s on to the knockouts, to face an opponent that US fans will remember well – Ghana. It was the last match of their 2006 World Cup group when Ghana eliminated the USA on a late penalty from Steven Appiah. The Yanks will be out for revenge, as well as to prove that they can hang with the big boys on the biggest stage.

Ghana has a whole different set of motivations. Despite not scoring a goal from open play in their three group matches, and coming into the tournament without their biggest star Michael Essien, the Black Stars enter this match as the last African team alive in Africa’s World Cup. No pressure, guys. The Bafana Bafana fans and their vuvuzelas have moved on from their team’s elimination and put much of their support behind Ghana, so they will be very much the home side.

WHAT’S AT STAKE
Where do you want to start? The struggle for respect of an up and coming footballing nation vs. the desperate hope that an African side can do something truly memorable in this World Cup. Not to mention that even without these storylines, we’re talking about the knockouts now. What’s at stake is a place in the quarterfinals and the knowledge that you are two wins, not three, from a spot in the biggest single match in football, the World Cup final.

Bet on USA vs. Ghana

OUR PREDICTION
Full disclosure – I am American, born and raised, and a soccer/football fan from very young, and so it is going to be very difficult to be objective here. Ghana handled Germany very well and just barely lost, having their chances for a better result. They held Serbia goalless. They are a formidable team, especially defensively. The Americans, on the other hand, are strong going forward and not the most talented defensive team in the world, but make up a lot of the talent gap with intensity and toughness. Frankly, I don’t see a ton of goals in this one. I’m going to go 1-0 to the Americans. Ghana will get a chance to score sometime in this match, but so far this tournament, they have not converted those chances. Again, take that prediction with a big old grain of Yankee salt.

Side prediction: Clint Dempsey will continue to battle Pique for the title of most often bloodied player in the tournament. If Spain and the US both progress a few more rounds, it’s extremely possible that one of these two guys will lose an arm.

FAN RESOURCES

USA USA Team Blog | Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter USA World Cup Jerseys | USA Soccer Tickets

Ghana Ghana Team Blog | Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter Ghana Football Jerseys | Ghana World Cup Tickets