Please be forewarned: the following recap and analysis of the USA-Ghana match was seen only through Yahoo! Sports's MatchCast. I've yet to see a frame of video.
But the United States, thanks to a 2-1 loss against Ghana, will be leaving Germany early when just 64 years ago we were the ones who arrived to Germany late.
And too bad — the game the Americans couldn't control went the in favor of the red, white, and blue. Italy beat up a tired Czech Republic team 2-0 to win the group, so had the USA won they would have finished second in the pool and moved on to play Brazil.
From what I've read, it sounded like Team USA really played hard. They had three shots on goal, increasing their 2006 Cup total to ... four. They actually scored a goal with their own feet (whoa!) when Clint Dempsey drove home a pass from DeMarcus Beasley, tying the game at 1-1.
But USA's undoing was in the first half's stoppage play — a mere four minutes after USA tied the game — when USA defender Oguchi Onyewu fouled Ghana captain Dwyane Wade Stephen Appiah, giving Appiah a penalty shot and burying it in the USA net.
Yes, it was questionable. Ludicrous. A friggin' conspiracy, man. But suppose there was no foul and no penalty kick. The final score would have still been 1-1. A tie would still have advanced Ghana into the second round. The Americans would still have been knocked out from the pool. And we'd still be outraged somehow.
Then look at the entire range of fouls. Ghana had 32 fouls to USA's 16. Ghana also received four yellow cards to USA's one.
Again, I didn't witness a nanosecond of streaming video. But with all the must-win mentality surrounding USA's players and fans, we forgot Ghana was also in that same frame of mind. And we can't pin all, most, or even some of the blame on the refs. Ghana just played better.
Article comments
1 - Q Bit
Nice take Suss. US played well though, but not enough to win.
I think Ghana deserved a place in the next round based on how they performed.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
We would beat them handily at curling however.
3 - Christopher Rose
I think the US was robbed by poor refereeing, again. After your great efforts against the Italians, to be beaten by a goal scored when Rayna had been injured and a penalty that should never have been given, it is outrageous that they are eliminated.
4 - MCH
Did anyone notice that Ghana's goal went straight up the pike?
5 - tommyd
Germany is going to win the World Cup anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
6 - Christopher Rose
Like fuck they are, tommyd! No way!!
Assuming the Germans get past Sweden, which won't be easy, they would then face Argentina.
Actually, my World Cup prediction is for an Argentina v England final with Spain and Australia fighting for third place!
7 - Q Bit
The penalty was a bit controversial but otherwise it would have been a draw and US would be eliminated anyway.
Reyna's injury was a freak one -- the play was clear- there wasn't anything remotely malicious about it.
Blame it on referee if you must -- but US wasn't among the best two teams in their group.
8 - Mark Bellinghaus
It is pretty sad that I have to watch the entire games in Spanish, when they are only available in full and without any commercial interruption at UNIVERSION. You get used to it and it sort of teaches you another language (goooooaaaaaaallllll) and the excitement about this sport is also entertaining. If the USA would show those games--people might catch on and get interested in this sport, which is easy to understand and follow.
I really thought that the USA would go further this time, especially after their amazing play against Italy. It was sad to see the sad and disappointed fans in the stadium. But I guess Ghana really was the dominant partner in this one.
Hopefully the US team will shine brighter and go further in four years from now.
I also agree with Q Bit, as the penalty seemed controversial, indeed!
9 - Zach Baker
I missed the game. Slept through it, actually. I'm by no means a soccer expert. But it seems to me when a team scores one goal itself in three games, the odds of advancement are not great. No officating would have changed that.
10 - the kicker
Ghana definitely outplayed USA. As a matter of fact, they put on the best performance in their group so far. I cant wait to see what they produce in the 2nd round. They're definitely the team to keep your eyes on.
11 - Matthew T. Sussman
Well it looks like the majority of people agree that Ghana just played better. Good to know the "blame refs first" sentiments got out of everybody's systems after the NBA Finals.
Of course, I've yet to watch ESPN. No doubt Alexi Lalas thinks otherwise.
12 - priscilla
am glad Ghana beat them.Ghana is no team for US to underestimate on TV.making all that noise about italy should beat chec,what were they thinking of Ghana,we gonna sleep on the field ha.what do they knw about soccer.their couch failed and he needs to get fired.damm him.God bless Ghana,this is our time to shine.
13 - Tyler Coley
Does anyone here actually play and for that matter understand soccer. The U.S. certainly outplayed Ghana. Better build-up, better consistantsy, better control, but unfortuneatly less finishing. The U.S. with "everyone", including the officials, against them outmatched Ghana, however it was the curse of the "yanks" once again. Similar to the Italian game we were gaining momentum, then suddenly a mental lapse in the defending 1/3 resulted in the initial goal of the match. Certainly the undeserved pk just before half was a moral blow. And all this, "it still would have been a 1-1 tie" is complete bs. Anyone who knows soccer understands the vast difference between needing one goal to win 2-1 or two goals needed to win 3-2. Come on people, the U.S. was robbed. The center ref needs to be sent home after this match. Oh wait, he's already at home!!!!!!
14 - Christopher Rose
Tyler, good points, the US certainly deserved to go through - but get with the programme, will ya? It's FOOTBALL! Only the saddest losers of all time, the people nerds look down on, call it s*cc*r...
15 - Matthew T. Sussman
Soccer.
16 - Marcus Brown
The USA has made progress in the sport of soccer, but still have a ways to go. Our teams are talented, but not as talented (individually) as other clubs. We tend to make silly mistakes, like trying to clear balls downfield instead of out-of-bounds to defend another day! Position for position we are not as talented as other countries teams, and we need and I be can get better in this area. USA took a step backwards, I feel, but we can rebound from it a more importantly learn from it. We were scaked by the Czecks, held our own against Italy, and failed to make and capatilze on opportunities agains Ghana. Bad call, we yes, but we had "45 minutes" and did NOTHING with it.
17 - Gideons Heart
the were mistakes here and there but i bet this is not the worst refereeing i have seen.... there are other games in this world cup where a referee is realy the 12th player for one one team. I hate this. But in this game with Ghana players out US could have done better but lacked in the shooting or scoring part of the game. Ghana was more aggressive towards the goal even though US played well and soccer rules are .....the team that score ...is the winner