The United States will enter their first match in the World Cup round of 16 in an unfamiliar role, the favorite. Although the United States is the favorite they still have a challenge ahead in their meeting with Ghana. The United States squandered over 6 legitimate chances to score goals against Algeria and Ghana has the same defensive style as Algeria.
Can Ghana Compete on Offense in World Cup Match Against the United States?
Ghana is known for shutting down high powered offensive teams. They smothered an aggressive minded German team on defense and turned some great defensive plays into offensive scoring chances. Germany is excellent at getting back on defense and shut down a few of Ghana’s best scoring opportunities.
Ghana’s offense will be led by their aggressive striker Asamoah Gyan. In three World Cup matches, Gyan already has two goals and 18 shots. Gyan obviously is not afraid to take a shot from anywhere on the pitch and the United States will have to be aware of him every second.
Gyan scored the fastest goal in the 2006 World Cup, with a goal in 68 seconds in 2006 World Cup. Look for Jay DeMerit to give Gyan the Wayne Rooney treatment in this match and shadow him frustrating Gyan.
Ghana Will Not Have the Luxury of Shadowing One Player
Ghana will not have it so easy when it comes to containing one United States player. The United States has five or six players that can burst through and score, as they showed in their match with Algeria. Although there was only one goal scored in the World Cup match, the United States have more than five blown opportunities to score and one controversial goal disallowed.
If Landon Donovan cannot score Clint Dempsey can pick up the slack. If strikers Herculez Gomez and Jozy Altidore can’t do the job, Edson Buddle or midfielder Michael Bradley can break through and score. Ghana’s goal will be to make this match a game of keep away at midfield. The United States will have to play the same way they played Algeria and keep a minimum of three strikers up front with the midfielders aggressively attacking from the outside.
Goalkeeping Edge Goes to the United States Tim HowardWho Has World Cup Experience
When it comes to goalkeeping, the United States holds a distinct advantage over Ghana. Tim Howard has played his entire career under enormous pressure and is showing increased maturity and focus in this years World Cup play.
Richard Kingson on the other hand was run out of the English Premier League for his ineffectiveness. Kingson has improved since his ouster from the English Premier League but he will have his hands full in his World Cup match against the United States.
Final Breakdown of United States -130 vs Ghana +110
The United States can win this World Cup match handily if they take it seriously. There is no doubt they have already been watching film on the Ghana teams three most recent World Cup matches. Ghana’s only chance in this match is to play a midfield game and to keep Donovan and Dempsey off balance and out of the picture. Take the United States -130 to win this match and advance in the World Cup.
sources:
www.espn.go.com World Cup team profiles and player profiles.
