US (1) v Ghana (2)

I know in the last post I said that the Italy game was the most important game in US soccer history. I lied. The game against Ghana now holds this dubious title. Coupled with an Italian defeat over Czech Republic, a victory over Ghana would put the US through to the second round. If, before the World Cup started, you were told that all the US needed to do after the first 2 games was beat Ghana and they were through, as an American fan, you would be ecstatic. If there was any team the US could beat in the so-called "group of death", it would have to be Ghana right? Wrong.

The US end up losing a battle to the surprise African side in a game again marred by poor officiating controversial call which ultimately became the deciding goal. After a poor decision and clearance by Carlos Bocanegra, Ghana heads a ball towards the top of the box. Oguchi Onyewu appears to clear the ball out of harms way, but Ghanian forward Pimpong falls to the ground and the referee awards Ghana with a penalty kick. This may be the worst call of the tournament. Even worse than the red card calls in the Italy match because at least the two calls on Pope and Mastroeni could be called fouls in some circles. No one in their right mind would EVER call what happened in the 45+2 minute a foul on Onyewu. The call was down right appalling and after the converted pk by Appiah, the US were again down a goal heading into have time.

The goal would ultimately seal the US' fate as they never seemed to get over the emotional effects of the bad call and subsequent penalty score. The momentum going into halftime seemed to have shifted into the direction of the Yanks after an incredible goal by Clint Dempsey off of an equally impressive assist from Demarcus Beasley.



The Dempsey goal helped the US draw even at 1 goal a piece, but the elation was quickly taken away from them with the poor call on Onyewu. The second half of the match had the US create small chances, including a header by Brian Mcbride that hit the post, but didnt really look too dangerous (pretty much the story for the ENTIRE tournament). The Africans hold us scoreless in the second half and punch their ticket to the second round of their first World Cup. The US, ousted from the World Cup.