WORLD CUP MATCH: USA vs Ghana

USA will play from behind again.  They gave up the first goal of the match to Ghana.  A mid-field turnover was converted by Ghana and USA finds themselves down one ~ nil.  Ghana is clearly playing with a little more energy than the Americans.  They are getting to loose balls quicker, their passes are crisper, and their opportunities have been of better quality.

Coach Bradley gambled with a line-up shuffle starting Clark in today's mid-field.  In what seemed to be a decision to correct his strategy, Coach Bradley made his first substitution 30 minutes into the match inserting EDU when perhaps he should have started from the outset.  30 minutes is awfully early for a substitution.  He'll have to pick his moments very wisely with his remaining two substitutions.

The Americans find themselves behind....again.  At least they are accustomed to being in this situation.  Is it dipping into the well one too many times?  The second half will bare that out.  Ghana has carried play for the first 45 minutes.  They've maintained possession as I mentioned with their very crisp passing.  They are quick.

Coach Bradley has adjustments to make during the break.  The American mid-field has been a sieve thus far.  They need to shore that up.  The turnover that put us down one - nil was of the egregious variety; inexcusable.  Ghana's midfielder, Prince BOATENG, from the mid field circle dribbled alone with two defenders nagging but unable to slow him down even the slightest bit.  What success USA seems to have on attack has been coming from around the outside with crosses into the box.  Ghana has plugged up the middle well.

FIRST HALF

USA 0   ~  GHANA 1


(in-game)
SECOND HALF

In minute 46:00 the Americans had a brilliant chance at scoring.  USA looks a little quicker at the 52:00 point.  Their opportunities are becoming more numerous.  They are passing more quickly this half.  On my count this half the Americans have threatened with three very quality chances.  A corner kick was fruitless at 55:00.  Ghana and USA both have 4 shots on goal.  Ghana has a slight percentage lead in time of possession.

PENALY at 60:30
Landon Donovan draws a penalty shot!

61:49
GOOOOAL !!!!
LANDON DONOVAN
A strike to the keeper's right side.
His 45th MARK as a USA player!

USA 1   ~   GHANA 1

64:00
at 66:40 another brilliant chance on a lead pass to ALTIDORE and break-away (if I may) headed off by Ghana's keeper brilliantly.
A Yellow Card by Bocanegra warded Ghana a free kick secured by Howard.

At 71:30 Bradley just launched a booming long range shot.
Ghana has owned the last 3 minutes.  I see a lot of standing around on offense by USA when they have the ball.  BRADLEY...just as I spoke...USA passed crisply and put four consecutive touches together for an opportunity on goal by Bradley; stopped cold by Ghana's keeper.
77:00  uh Oh!   Prince, of Ghana just pulled up lame with a hamstring it appears.  BOCANEGRA just made a great defensive stop in front of the American net.  79:00 minutes are elapsed.
Ghana in the American zone...USA clears...

Another pass over the top for ALTIDORE...in the box..Penalty?!  NO!...and a strike just wide to the right as Altidore was falling down.   81:38...a free kick for Dempsey ~ into the wall.

Ghana in USA end.  A pass and header goes very wide.  Ghana gains the zone again 83:30.

USA shot blocked 84:30.  America loses the zone.  GHANA!! Offsides! 

86:00  USA settling for long passes and minimal movement again.  They are not putting together short accurate consecutive passes.  USA in their zone...87:00.  88:00...out of bounds..USA ball.
Howard kick into Ghana zone.  Free throw in for USA.  Turnover.
Ghana gains USA zone.  A cross from the right corner..cleared.  An injured Ghana player down
interrupts play.

90:00 !!  
3 MINUTES ADDED TIME.

92:30
Ghana controls...coming wide on the left...out by USA.  A Ghana corner kick coming!

From the right side...CORNER...headed out by Ghana.  USA ball.
3:00 minutes of injury time are over!

EXTRA TIME
30:00 Minutes
coming up!

ALTIDORE was a down field force today.  His size presented several chances today. 
He's been substituted.  Me personally, I thought

it doesn't matter anymore...
GHANA JUST SCORED!!!!!!
at 92:55

Unbelievable.  What seemed to be a relatively harmless ball lobbed forward was played by Ghana's #3 GYAN who managed to penetrate deep into the US zone sandwiched by two US defenders.  Incredibly after a shoulder bump and harassment on the other side, he got off a shot pass Howard.  Inexcusable by two American defenders to allow that kind of penetration and ball possession.

A corner kick coming up for USA 96:45....ends up wide.  Bocanegra was part of the exchange.
USA is scrambling now.

100:00 minute mark
(two fifteen minute periods in extra time)

One minute of extra time has been added to the first 15 minute half of Extra Time.
There were no real chances in the last 15 minutes to speak of.  No one could maintain possession.

They switch sides now and the next 15 minutes will start post haste.

105:00
Ghana ball.   USA gains possession...in Ghana's end.  A clear.  And foul.  Ghana ball.
Howard's kicks action back into Ghana end.  Free kick to USA right outside the penalty box.
Donovan will kick...punched away by Ghana's goal keeper.
Ghana back in America's zone at 109:20.
Ghana...short passes...offside.  Howard will free kick it out.

USA in Ghana's end...  On a cross...
UNBELIEVABLE...the referee is stopping play for a Ghana player down who had no one near him.  He cleared the ball out and took to the ground untouched.  How wrong is that?!  They better add all that time back on.  The Refs are letting the Ghana'ns milk the clock like a cow.

A corner kick coming up for USA 113:30
...headed out....USA loses possession.  6 minutes left.

USA gets off a shot....the other way Ghana will get a corner kick.
115:30
the kick...blocked out..Howard will kick.

Ghana gains ball.....
USA has three minutes left.
Ghana controls...USA gains.  USA will not short pass up field.  They settle for tired long passes which result in Ghana possessions.

USA turns it over again....gains it back.. Howard kicks long.
USA ball inside 119:00
USA crosses...and  they get a shot off!  Blocked!
Another shot by Gomez goes wide.  USA will kick from the corner  120:01!!
the cross....!  USA gets off several shots on good pressure.

12:40  3 minutes added on!

USA at mid field...Ghana gains and goes offside.
USA in last minute of added time!!
USA with ball...a shot goes wide by a Dempsey header.

122:05
Ghana clears......30 seconds!  Ghana has the ball.

TIME!!!

USA 1
GHANA 2
Final/Extra Time

USA loses to Ghana again. 
Just like in 2006, USA is eliminated from WORLD CUP competition by the Club from Ghana.
USA put forward some very special efforts during their participation in this tournament.
They've certainly proven to many fans all over the globe they are a club as good as any.  What they still need to demonstrate is that they're better.  Their next chance to do so will come four years from now.

I'll be back later for more wrap-up.

BTB

 

USA!! KnockOut Round

Today's front page New York Post.

Go USA

Nonsense stat of the day:

GHANA is favored by 51.3%

due to home continent advantage?

pfff!

fugheddaboudit

World Cup ~ USA vs. GHANA

WORLD CUP

2010

2nd Round of 16
The KNOCKOUT ROUND

USA vs.  GHANA

Four years later; The rematch.

Saturday ~ JUNE 26, 2010

2:00 pm

Ghana was the club that knocked USA out of the

2006 World Cup competition. 

USA did not make it out of Group play last time around.

They failed to record a victory.

This year USA has made the Round of 16 by winning their Group (C) bracket outright

for the first time since the inaugural World Cup of 1930.  Wednesday's victory over Algeria

was Club USA's first World Cup victory since 2002.

See you at the Pub.

LET'S GO

U.S.A.

Here's a last look back at what easily it the greatest goal

in USA Soccer history and arguably one of our greatest games ever.

"so far"

USA!  USA!  USA!

mike

BTB

pics from today's local tabloids:

NY Post ~ NY Daily News ~ NY Newsday

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

The New American Frontier ~ World Cup 2010

WORLD CUP 2010 ~ GROUP C

They probably didn't know it.  Or maybe they did.  Which ever the case, America was forced to come away from today's match versus Algeria with a victory.  Today a draw would not suffice.  England and Slovenia were engaged in their match as USA played, and with time winding down.  America, unknowingly, already had their backs against the wall when just yesterday things were being painted in a much prettier picture.  Did they know the England score?  I don't know.  Only Coach Bradley can answer that.

Those of us packing in local pubs and cafes this morning to watch the match knew England maintained a 1-nil lead over Slovenia which forced America into a must win situation if they wanted to advance. 

USA and Algeria sat nil~nil at the half.  Time ticked off too briskly for my tastes as they continued to play to a draw in the second half.  All the pressure was on Team America to score.
They had their opportunities with quality scoring chances..  They also had a goal disallowed.  Yet the score remained nil~nil.  When the clock struck 90:00 there was yet a goal by either side.  Injury time was added on.  Only one minute was added after the first 45 minutes.  I feared the same after full regulation time; a short clock.  If I saw the TV screen correctly from my vantage point, 4 minutes were added.

Four minutes remained for USA to mount one more surge; one more wave; one more comeback.  They've used the comeback to get this far.  They would need another timely and unlikely goal now in order to go farther.  All goals scored by USA in this first round of Group C play have been of the comeback variety.  America had arrived at their new frontier; meeting expectations.  That's right.  This group was picked to advance from Group C along with England.  How special would it be if the Americans could pull out a goal here?  I don't know.  How special can you make a win or go home Group C match?  It would be great though!  Great is nice.  I'll take a great moment here versus deflation should USA not qualify for the next round.  England was off to the next round.  They secured that right. Now USA was in possession of the opportunity to join them.  Regulation was over and they were playing on borrowed time.

In the 91st minute, USA struck! 

The frontier men got their goal, from their USA Soccer Paul Bunyan;

LANDON DONOVAN

America's All-Time Leading Goal Scorer

stepped up like an All-Time Player does in times of dire straights.

He rose to the occasion like heroes do in your time of need.

He gave USA and us fans our

GREAT MOMENT!

There's elation and deflation in the stands as USA scores.

Anguishing tears of disbelief shed for her country.

In his words, "This is unbelievable.. ~ We're not done yet!"

He's a player on a team in a sport Americans choose to know little about

but right now the rest of the world knows the name of

Landon Donovan.

That's right Landon; you may have struck the most important goal in USA Football history.
This is the first time since the first World Cup Tournament in 1930
the United States has won their Group outright.
Yes! That was great. 
I also found out how special a Group C win-and-in game can be this afternoon.
VERY!

Today, I found happiness in an Italian Cafe where Fulton Street meets Lafayette St. 
For me it was the scene of USA's ultimate defeat and elimination from World Cup 2006. 
For this match I returned and departed;

Vindicated.

USA!   USA!   USA!

MIKE

WIN and IN Go USA!!!

GROUP C

USA

vs

ALGERIA

10am Wednesday JUNE 23, 2010.

WIN AND WE'RE IN!

All the American squad needs to do tomorrow is defeat what appears to be the weakest club of Group C; Algeria.  Simple, right?

Squad America just can not afford, much less risk, falling behind early again.  USA had to mount two furious comebacks against England and Slovenia in order to earn draws and escape with the minimum point for each match respectively.  Having said that, it's my opinion that may have been enough of a taste for what the competition demands of their play and also provided ample "game-film" by now to learn from and connect a winning attitude with effort.

A sustained and consistent passing game must emerge from USA's game in order for them to gain success in this match, and if it be our destiny, through the tournament. 

Tomorrow would be a good time to start improving that aspect of their game.

A win by Club USA could eliminate England.

LET's Go USA!!!

USA!  USA!  USA!

BTB

WORLD CUP 2010

WHY NOT!?

POWER RANKINGS

as/of  June 21

1 ~ ARGENTINA

2 ~ BRAZIL

3 ~ NEDERLAND

4 ~ SPAIN

5 ~ MEXICO

6 ~ GERMANY

7 ~ CHILE

8 ~ USA

9 ~ PARAGUAY

10 ~ PORTUGAL

Uruguay~Slovenia~Italy~England~South Korea

Yes I still believe Spain is not to be taken lightly.  Nederland still continues to roll and they must be recognized.  Argentina first and Brazil second, have shown with out a doubt so far, they are the class of this tournament.  Chile is the Phantom here.  You'd be a fool to take Germany lightly.  They are a cornered cat and will strike down their next opponent.  Slovenia is like the Philadelphia Flyers of Soccer; they play a most physical game and that has to count for something.  Portugal scored 7 goals today; - That's SEVEN GOALS in Soccer folks.  A fluke?  Most likely.  But it's enough to get them ranked.  The USA has been outplayed in 3 of four halves in their two matches.  When they had to dig deep and shovel more coal in the fire, they've managed the timely goal and created chances.  Those chances come at great risk.  Be careful America.

USA plays Algeria Wednesday and WILL advance if they win outright.  Paraguay is just your good, solid, fundamentally sound Football Club who can ruin ANY club's day.  Mexico is as passionate for Football as they are for Baseball.  They always play tough.

Those are my impressions so far in

World Cup 2010

Mike

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/

World Cup: INCREDIBLE COMEBACK for USA !!!

USA! USA! USA!

The US was outplayed and outscored by Slovenia in the first half of their morning match. Slovenia had USA
down two~nil into the break.

Then, in the second half, USA went to work trying to correct their situation. Early, in the 48th minute Team America cut the Slovenian lead in half on a booming strike from Donovan. USA continued to carry play and kept up a consistent effort in the offensive zone.

In what is clearly the defining moment for the Americans in this Cup Tourney so far, in the 82nd minute a strike by Michael Bradley tied the match. AMAZINGLY the U.S. had come all the way back from a two~nil nightmarish morning to scoring, tying things at two and sending the American fanatics attending the match into delirium.

It appeared as if the Americans still had even more tricks up their sleeves with an apparent third goal.  Everyone in attendance and watching on TV could not believe the referee's disallowance of what would have been the go-ahead goal. No one on the field ever got an explanation for the call. Yes...., we wuz robbed!!

That aside, what a great comeback by the hometown guys. It secured another point in Group play. There is still life in this squad. There are 3 games remaining within USA's Group matches.  England plays Algeria today. All is not lost for USA.  Unbelievably, Germany fell to Serbia in the early match. After looking so strong, dominant and convincing in their opening match of Group play, they stumbled earlier this morning.  Their undoing was perhaps self created.  They were made to play with ten after a red card eliminated one of Deutschland's forwards.

Spain; one of the overwhelming favorites to win the 2010 tourney also went down in incredulous defeat yesterday. France too fell at the feet of Mexico while Team Italia played to a draw. The European Powers are fit to be tied; Netherlands aside. The Dutch looked very impressive in their match against Denmark.

With Group play only mid~way through the matches, but Argentina already having played twice and being victorious each time, the Argentines are looking like the strongest club in the field.

Brazil was impressive in their first showing and I expect them to remain strong in Group play.

There's a clique of experts telling everyone beware of Nederland.
I would agree they make a great Dark Horse. But the real Horse Power in COPA 2010 is like I said, ARGENTINA.

But where does my home country of the US of A fit into this? Let's see what happens with England. They will not be sending Robert Green to keep goal for them vs Algeria.  England will put their fortunes or failures in the goal~keeping ability of David James.

England's goal~keeping situation has been well publicized as being quite unsettled. What can James do for England and what does it mean to us? We're going to find out more this afternoon.

Happy "SOCCER" everyone.

USA!!

Mike.BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

World Cup 2010~USA vs ENGLAND

GROUP C

USA 

vs. 

ENGLAND

This is a very good English team. 

So how many Cups were they expected to win

over the last four tournaments?

Uh...All of them? 

And they won how many of those?

 I thought so.

They've been talking a lot of smack  

on the other side of the 'Ol Pond.

It's as if they're purposely being overly cocky before hand

in what is really a sloven attempt at intimidation.

Be arrogant Boyz. 

Yea! 

To me it wreaks of FEAR.

All the pressure is on them.  All the expectations weigh on them.

England is under incredible pressure to do well this time around.

That's why they have an Italian coach leading the way.

They're desperate.

We won't get into the more embarrassing eliminations of their recent World Cup tourneys.  Will we?

We, after all, looked pathetic in our elimination last time around.

Club New World Colonists

vs

Her Majesty's Football Club

We're forty minutes away from getting

Revolutionary...again.

USA!  USA!  USA!

BTB

*************************************

Update:

It's not easy being GREEN!
after 48 minutes of first half play:
1-1

 Gerrard scored in minute 4 on a brilliant strike for England.

The USA looks thoroughly outclassed.
As a matter of fact, they look totally out-matched.

In the 40th minute, The English goal-keeper Robert Green had a shot on goal by Clint Dempsey seemingly secured; only to let it slide off his hands and into the net for an American tying goal.
UNBELIEVABLE.
A historic gaffe!

The Americans need to find a way to start putting some passes together and get play moving in the opposite direction.

2nd HALF

At 65 minutes, there remains white shirts loitering all about our box.  England continues to dominate play.

Excellent chances and quality strikes have been traded.
It appears the Americans are more willing to be lucky than strategize a plan to counter England's attack.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.  But I do not think the US can sustain this onslaught of offense by the Brits and not get hurt.  At the 70minute mark...we'll see.

75:30
Where would this team be without the incredible goal keeping by Tim Howard ? 
The Blue-Shirts have been unable to slow the surge of the Brits through our zone.  They've been camped out in our box like a scene out of Woodstock.  Our half of the field has been a
British Invasion all match long.   79:00

We are inside four added minutes of penalty time.

The Americans still resemble little baby sea turtles getting hammered by the surf at shore's edge as they try and make their way to deeper water and relative safety.  Meanwhile, the English continue to crash down in waves of offensive chances upon the sea tur...Americans, and continue to strike like gulls from above.

Time!!!
The whistle has sounded.

FINAL SCORE
USA 1
ENGLAND 1

There will be no celebrations in the pubs of London for this effort; I'm sure.  I know the English Club fanatics can not be happy with this outcome.  English goal-keeper ROBERT GREEN might have to be relocated to Arizona and put into witness protection.
I just hope he has his papers in order  ; )  
I hear A.C. Cowlings is available for "get-away-driver" duty just in case Green is thinking about taking a trip.

What a great outcome for the Americans today. 
The expected blowout never transpired. 
Tim Howard is the biggest reason why.  
At times it appeared he was incredulous about the class of defense being played in front of him.  Consider him as the reason why the Yanks earned a point in their group play.  And yes; Thank Sir Robert Green also. 

The American defenders were mere traffic cones for the English wave of craftsmanship to practice with.  All they did was shave two seconds off the arrival time of another shot on goal.  To call the American defense a "defense" is an insult to swiss cheeze.  The English rush went through an American defense that played with the resiliency of wet toilet paper.

Somehow, someway;
we come away with a point in group play.

For the Americans now..; a chance to qualify for the next round if they can regroup against Slovenia and Algeria.  Those two teams play against each other tomorrow afternoon.

For England? 
They'll advance.  I just fear a more angrier team.

A tale of two countries;
*one game with the same result for both*

How you feel about it is a matter of perspective I guess.

Mike
BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

 

World Cup 2010

U.S.A.

Let the games begin!

LET'S GO USA!

First Match

USA  vs  ENGLAND

Saturday, June 12, 2010  2:30 pm

y La Hinchada Argentina..

!Viva la ARGENTINA!

Pais de mi Padre

Primer partido

ARGENTINA vs NIGERIA

Saturday  June 13, 2010  9:30 am

Good luck to all!

My souvenirs from

World Cup 1994

Mike ~ BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/