United States Men’s National Team Pre Game: Ghana

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The United States Men’s National Team kicks off its World Cup campaign today against a Ghana team that has defeated them in the previous two World Cups.

Who: USMNT vs Ghana

When: June 16th, 2014 at 5 PM CDT

Where: Estádio das Dunas, Natal

Streams: ESPN, Watch ESPN

2006 World Cup in Germany

In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the USMNT met Ghana in their final game of the Group Stage. Ghana was able to open the scoring in the 22nd minute when Draman Haminu stole the ball just outside the US’s own 18 yard box and dribbled in and slotted a ball past US Goal Keeper Kasey Keller.

The US was able to answer back when Clint Dempsey made a run into the box at the far post and was able to drive home a wonderful ball that rolled across the face of goal to tie the game at 1-1 in the 43rd minute.

The game looked to be going into the half tied at one but a US foul inside the box in the 45+2 minute gave Ghana a chance to take the lead before heading into the locker room. Kasey Keller guessed wrong and Appiah Stephen drilled a ball into the top left corner of goal to give Ghana the 2-1 lead.

Despite both teams having their share of chances in the second half, the game would finish 2-1 and the USMNT would be eliminated from the World Cup. The US had high hopes for the 2006 World Cup after drawing to eventual champions Italy 1-1 in Group Play but were unable to capitalize on their chances.

2010 World Cup in South Africa

The USMNT met Ghana once again in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, only this time it was in the Round of 16 after both teams advanced past the Group Stage. The US was looking to avenge their 2006 World Cup loss and move on to the Quarter Finals.

Ghana had other thoughts and they didn’t waste any time letting their intentions be known when Kevin-Prince Boateng dibbled toward goal and fired a shot past Goal Keeper Tim Howard to give Ghana the 1-0 lead in only the 5th minute. The game would go into half time with Ghana on top but the US were within striking distance.

Nearly midway through the second half Clint Dempsey dribbled around a Ghana Defender and into the 18 yard box and attempted to dribble around another Defender but was taken out and awarded a Penalty Kick. The US would have there chance to equalize as all eyes were on Landon Donovan who stood over the ball. Donovan as confident as ever and without hesitation fooled the Ghana Goal Keeper and drilled the ball into the right side of goal to tie the game at 1-1.

Ninety minutes was not enough for this game and both teams had to prepare for an overtime period. Disaster struck early for the US as Ghana scored in only the third minute of overtime when Asamoah Gyan unleashed a contested shot that Tim Howard had no time to react to. Ghana went up 2-1 and the US was never able to recover. The US was once again eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Ghana 2-1 in two consecutive World Cups.

Future Sporting Kansas City player Benny Feilhaber was featured in the starting eleven for the USMNT in this game as well as playing a big part in the Group Stage.

The important thing to remember is that that is in the past and I assure you that the guys in Brazil will not be thinking about those games, so as fans we must also forget. I don’t think anyone would argue that Soccer in the United States has grown immensely in the past four years and the quality of the team is much stronger than it was in 2006 or 2010 and MLS has played a big part in that. There are 10 players representing MLS on the USMNT squad in Brazil including two coming from Sporting Kansas City. The list is as follows.

• Nick Rimando, goalkeeper, Real Salt Lake
• Matt Besler, defender, Sporting Kansas City
• Omar Gonzalez, defender, Los Angeles Galaxy
• DeAndre Yedlin, defender, Seattle Sounders FC
• Kyle Beckerman, midfielder, Real Salt Lake
• Michael Bradley, midfielder, Toronto FC
• Brad Davis, midfielder, Houston Dynamo
• Graham Zusi, midfielder, Sporting Kansas City
• Clint Dempsey, forward, Seattle Sounders FC
• Chris Wondolowski, forward, San Jose Earthquakes

Sporting Kansas City Defender Matt Besler was asked about what needs to go different in this game from the games in 2006 and 2010 and had this to say:

"“The result. Simply put, it’s going to be a different game. Two different teams than the last couple times we played them, different players, possibly different styles. For us, we just have to play our game. We really feel if we play our best soccer, we’re going to win and we can advance.”"

When asked about the rivalries at the international level Besler said:

"“Yes, I do believe there can be rivalries at an international level- us and Mexico. Teams in your region that you play a lot, of course they’re rivals. I really don’t know if I can answer if we are rivals with Ghana. I haven’t been around for the first two matches so I don’t know exactly what that feels like playing against them. I will tell you that we want to win very, very badly. It’s probably more just because we want to win that first game because that will put us in a great position. It’s possible that there’s a little bit of a revenge factor, but it’s extremely small, if any. For me there’s none. I think it’s more of the fans.”"

Sporting Kansas City Midfielder Graham Zusi was asked about what the team needed to do offensively against Ghana to get a result an had this to say:

"“I think we saw glimpses of it in that game against Nigeria. I think they’re similar teams, I think that we can, through our good defensive work, we can catch them on counters.  I think our fitness level is good, and late in the game, that will prove vital, like it did in Jacksonville. And just be very disciplined. They’re a very talented team, and I think that defensive shape will be very good for us.”"

When asked about the Rivalry between the USMNT and Ghana Zusi said:

"“It’s obviously a good story.  But for us, we’re focused on this year.  The here and now. It’s a different year, and we’re going to do the best we can to get a good result.”"

Fox 4 did a three part feature on Kansas native Matt Besler and you can catch part one here and check out Fox 4 for parts two and three. KCTV5 also had a video feature on Matt Besler leading up to the World Cup which you can watch here.

The US Soccer official YouTube released videos for each individual player, letting the player tell his own story. You can check out Matt Besler and Graham Zusi’s story below and to check out the rest of the team go here.

Graham Zusi

Matt Besler

The game is nearly upon us and if you need anymore motivation to get hyped for this game, look no further. This may be the best USMNT hype video out there and you will surely get goosebumps watching it.

[vimeo 97929868 w=500 h=281]

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