USA vs. Ghana (6-26-10)
Here are some things to keep an eye on during the big game:
1:The US Defense- They’ve started every game of the World Cup on the shaky side and ended each one as firm as a wall. The U.S. needs a more consistent effort against the creative and aggressive Ghana attackers. After a shaky beginning to the Algeria game, Jay Demerit had his best game of the tournament turning away threat after threat and becoming the boss of the air. Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo are very good but the final spot whether it’s Onyewu or Bornstein has been a weakness and you can be sure Ghana will attack that 4th defender. He will have to be up to the challenge for the U.S. to advance.
2: The Big Guns: Landon Donovan is a very good player who can be a bit streaky sometimes. After scoring what probably can be considered the biggest goal of his career he should be feeling hot and that spells bad news for Ghana. When Donovan is feeling good about himself he becomes more aggressive and anticipates the play better. It seemed like he was cruise control against Algeria for most of that game, giving up opportunities to attack the Algerian defense to make passes to his teammates. He’s certainly a quality player on cruise control but when his foot in on the gas he can be special. With his confidence soaring I would not be surprised to see him get a little more hungry on the ball and if Jozy Altidore plays the same aggressive and physical game he played against Algeria, that would make the U.S. attack very formidable and most likely too strong for Ghana’s defense to stop.
3.Clint Dempsey- Dempsey, bloody lip and all was in the middle of the action for nearly the entire game against Algeria. He’s rugged and often plays with attitude and a chip on his shoulder. He’ll need that toughness against Ghana’s best player, Kevin-Prince Boateng. The Prince is very strong, physical and chippy himself at times and he’s sure to test the meddle of the fiery and undersized Dempsey. If Dempsey can keep his cool he may goad Princey into a cheap foul or foolhardy mistake of his own. Boateng will attempt to use his strength to control the middle and if he is successful, he will be Ghana’s most dangerous player. This is a key matchup in the center of the pitch. Some of the hardest fouls and toughest play could come from these two.
4.Revenge- The U.S. capped off a disappointing 2006 World Cup run by losing their last game to Ghana and were booted from the tournament. The U.S. had high hopes coming off of a final 8 appearance in 2002 and despite earning only 1 point in their first 2 contests of 2006 were in position to advance to the knockout stage by beating Ghana. Unfortunately they came in on the losing end of a 2-1 result and Americans forgot about soccer all over again. The American players on the field that day in Nuremberg certainly remember and we’ll see if those memories can be exorcised today in Rustenburg.
5. Environmental factors- Can the U.S. team which has looked nervous at times handle the overwhelming support the crowd will throw behind Africa’s last hope in the tournament? The vuvuzelas will be in full force and the U.S. will find themselves in the role of party poopers. If the Americans can keep their focus on the field and not on the stands, they’ll have a great chance of advancing to a winnable matchup against Uruguay.
