(A TWD Sports Special)
Is revenge at a foot here? Or will Ghana hold down the continent of Africa with its rising young stars filling in once more for the absence of their first real golden generation of Essien, Muntari, and Appiah.
It's a spot in the last eight, as the United States and Ghana will duel for a spot in the last 8. And it will be smiles and familiarity, as Fulham teammates john Panstill and Clint Dempsey, along with Ligue 1 side Rennes teammates Carlos Bocanegra and Asamoah Gyan.
Already today, we have seen a tremendous opener to the "1/8's", as they technically call the Round of 16.
It was the Ajax man and true MVP of the Eredivise this season, Luis Suarez with two goals including his marvelous game winner in the 80th minute to give Uruguay the terrific 2-1 win over South Korea in a semi-classic encounter.
The win sends Uruguay into the quarterfinals of a World Cup for the 1st time in 40 long years for that former soccer worldpower.
Okay folks, the match that we are all here for, here we go:
The lineups:
USA: Howard, Bornstein, Bocanegra, Demerit, Cherundolo; Dempsey, Bradley, Clark, Donovan; Altidore, Findley
Ghana: Kingston, Sarpei, Jonathan Mensah, John Mensah,Pantsil; Inkoom, Annan, Boateng, Asamoah; Ayew, Gyan
It seems Bob Bradley is continuing his weird love obsession of both rico Clark and Jon Bornstein, and I'm not really keen on placing them in the starting 11 oday, especially Clark, who helped make the mistake against England and frankly, to be honest with you, should not come close to starting on this team.
Again, I feel this is one moment where the pressure could get to Bradley here, but at least he has kept both Donovan and Dempsey in the midfield.
Now on Ghana, a surprise in the lineup, as Hoffenheim front man Prince Tagoe has been dropped here, as young Samuel Inkoom of Swiss side basel comes in for him, as they are playing short of a mutating 4-5-1 into a 4-3-3.
More to come, as the preview notes will continue. And of course, the thread is live folks.
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Early chance for the USA there, but Altidore can't get on Donovan's pass.
Prince boateng has scored for the ghana, off of a poor mistake from Clark.
Makes no sense to bring Clark in this lineup up, just so damn stupid by Bradley there.
Ghana dominating early possession here, thanks to bob Bradley being an idiot.
Oh, and Tim Howard didn't look good there, as he was very flat footed there.
Howard punches away the delivery from Gyan there.
I think the only thing great about this horrible start for the #usa is how everyone now knows how poor a coach Bob Bradley is.
Much better from the US there, as Kingston does well to hold onto it from Bradley.
HAHAHAHA, everyone now gets to laugh at how stupid ass that move was to start Clark over Edu or Torres or even Holden #worldcup
Great save by Kingston on a great shot by findley there #usa
Simply put, Holden needs to come in this game over Feilharber or Torres. He can pass in the midfield better and is more direct than Torres
First half Analysis:
Clap it up for Bob Bradley, he really screwed that first half up, simple as that. Tim Howard, for a world class goalkeeper, had a really poor moment there, beaten near post.
Feilharber making an impact, but he can't finish past Richard Kingston there.
US looking much better here to start the 2nd half, but still a goal down here.
The tension is increasing, but no foul given for that hard tackle by jonathan Mensah there in the box.
The man Donovan does it here with the penalty here. 1-1
Dempsey and Donovan, the best flying D combination since the Mighty Ducks. #worldcup
Sarpei is off for another glorious youngster for #Gha in Lee Addy #worldcup
Ghana now looking like they are playing for overtime here, but they are looking for a goal here.
To extra time we go folks, with the score of course, the US 1, and Ghana 1.
Great finish By Asamoah Gyan, showing why he is a rising force in World football, as he out performs hic lub teammate Bocanegra, and finishes terrifically.
Just pure fatigue right now.
And there it is, heartbreaking for the US, as Ghana knock us out of the World Cup yet again.