The United States went though every kind of plot twist imaginable on Monday, an early goal and worrisome injuries, but at the end of the 95th minute of a heart-racing game at Arena Das Dunas, they got revenge on Ghana with a 2-1 victory over their old nemesis and are off to a great start in Group G.
Thirty seconds, that’s all it took Clint Dempsey to put the US on the board and shake off all the failure in the past. The elevation turn to panic quickly, however, first when Jozy Altidore pulled up lame while chasing a long lead pass from Michael Bradley in the 21st minute and had to be stretched out of the game with a left hamstring strain. Then Matt Besler left the game in Half time with Hamstring tightness and a bloody nose suffered by Clint Dempsey in the 32nd minute. A hard-fought win indeed.
Good thing Besler replacement, John Anthony Brooks was THE NEW AMERICAN HERO; The minutes clicked away it looked like the USA was going to share points after Ghana’s Andrew Ayew scored a beautiful goal to tie up the things in the 82nd minute. Just five minutes later, Brooks wrote himself into the USMNT lore with a snap header off Graham Zusi’s corner kick that rocketed off the turf and into the net, gaining the victory for the US. Brooks inclusion into the roster was something of a controversy, but the 21 year-old Berlin native heroic will long be remembered.
This game was far harder than it looked. With Dempsey’s shocking opener, the US sat back and absorbed wave after wave of Ghana attack and didn’t generate a second shot of goal until the 63rd minute. The Americans were battered and bruised by the Black Stars, who’s athleticism shined through the whole game.
The US finally slated the Dragon and won three points. A perfect start in the group of death. With Germany beating Portugal, that gives the American a perfect start and a motivation boost toward their game on Sunday. If they’re healthy enough and fortunate enough to topple the equally hobbled Portuguese who will seek to win its first match. Do you believe that the US will win?
Jermaine Jones was the man of the match. With all the criticism the midfield destroyer has received over his USMNT tenure for lack of discipline. This was his best game in the red, white, and blue deployed on the left side of the diamond. On transition, he fell back to a more centralized role alongside equally excellent with Kyle Beckerman and turned in a culture, smart performance, timely tackling, fantastic position and smooth-short passing makes him the player of the match for me.
