Just when you thought American soccer was about to turn a corner and make a run for the World Cup, they fell 2-1 to Ghana. Allowing early goals was the team’s biggest problem throughout the tournament, and those troubles continued against the Ghanaians. Kevin Prince-Boateng scored in the fifth minute, forcing the USMNT to play from behind for a majority of the game. But the US once again proved they could rise to the challenge when Landon Donovan scored his third goal of the tournament on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute. That goal would force extra time, but the Ghanaians would once again take advantage of an early goal, when Asamoah Gyan scored in the 93rd minute. It proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the American squad. Who’s excited for the MLS season? That’s right, no one.
“A stinging, tough defeat,” said Bob Bradley, who faces an uncertain future as U.S. coach. –ESPN
Stinging, indeed. Had the Americans won, they would have faced a beatable Uruguay team in the quarterfinals. A win there would have put them in the tournament’s final four. The door was open for the USMNT to spike interest in a country that notoriously couldn’t care less. Sunil Gulati, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation wasn’t pleased with the performance, and heads may roll. Specifically, the head of coach Bob Bradley. Read the rest of this entry »
