By Mitchell Kahalley
International relations between the United States and Ghana are generally friendly. Ghana was the first nation the United States sent the Peace Corps volunteers. Ghanaian ambassador to the United States Ernest Quarm gifted president Gerald Ford a ceremonial sword made of iron. With the exception of a few years late in the administration of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, U.S-Ghana relations have been friendly since the country became the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence. According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 82% of Ghanaian’s view U. S influence positively. That’s not to say that the two countries don’t have points of contention, mainly the United State’s refusal to join the International Cocoa Agreement, and soccer. If you read this blog, you probably already know that Ghana has knocked the United States out of the last two World Cups.You also know that both teams have been drawn in group G and will kick off their 2014 World Cup campaign against each other this evening.
It’s a cliche, but football is a way of life in Ghana. After the country gained its independence, the sport was used by Nkrumah as a way to express their freedom from the colonial rule, and as a platform to spread his doctrine of pan-Africanism. With the sport being so ingrained in the culture, it’s no surprise that the Black Stars are one of the most successful teams in Africa, winning the African Cup of Nations four times. They were one penalty away from being the first African side to make the semifinals in World Cup 2010.
The Black Stars come to Brazil with the most talented African side in the World Cup. They lost only one match in the group stages of World Cup qualifying and thrashed Bob Bradley’s Egypt side 7-3 in the two-legged playoff to make it to Brazil. This Ghanaian side will succeed if Asamoah Gyan scores goals. He plays for Al-Ain in the UAE and scored 59 goals in 47 appearances. The man knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. In a 4-3-3 formation he will be flanked on either side by Majeed Waris and one of the Ayew brothers, either Andre or Jordan. All three of these players are pacy wingers who can change a game with their speed. The Ghanaians have few other goal scoring options beside Gyan. This is why Waris will be this team’s X-factor. Waris looks as if he’ll be ready to play against the Yanks after an injury scare during the run up to the World Cup. Waris scored 9 goals in 16 Ligue 1 appearances while on loan at Valenciennes this season. Although he might not start, he could come on the pitch late in the match and give Ghana the spark they need.
The Ghanaian midfield is made up of veterans Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Kwado Asamoah and Kevin-Prince Boateng. These four will try to dominate the midfield with their physicality, but in a group with four teams who will play physically their influenced could be nullified. Not to mention that Kwado and Essien are coming into the tournament after poor seasons with their club teams. The Ghanian defense is just as young and inexperienced as the United States which could cause problems in this group. The most experienced defender is right-back Samuel Inkoom with only 45 appearances for the Black Stars
Needless to say the game against the United States is a must win for the Ghanaian’s. Being forced to sit back and defend against the Portuguese and Germans could prove to be a disaster for this team, which could be the downfall at this World Cup.
USA Projected Starting Lineup
Tim Howard
Fabian Johnson – Geoff Cameron – Matt Besler – DeMarcus Beasley
Kyle Beckerman – Jermaine Jones
Alejandro Bedyoa – Michael Bradley – Clint Dempsey
Jozy Altidore
The United States comes into this match with lots of questions. Will the inexperienced back four be able to perform at the international level? Will Jones and Beckerman play defending midfield roles? Will Jozy Altidore be able to score? The three friendlies that the Stars and Stripes played in the run up to the World Cup point to yes. Howard is one of the top ten, maybe top five, keepers in the world. He knows how to manage the back line. Geoff Cameron plays week in and week out in the Premier League for Stoke City. He has faced quality opposition and fares well against them. Besler is a disciplined young player who made his debut for the USMNT against Mexico in the Azteca during World Cup qualifying. If two were able to come to an understanding of how to play with each other in camp, I like our chances, especially against Ghana. If they can shut down Gyan, the Black Stars will have to find goals from somewhere else, which will be a challenge.
The “dreaded two” of Beckerman and Jones in a defensive holding role adds that bit of insurance to the back line. Both players are able to handle the physicality of the Ghanaian midfield, and hopefully will be able to prevent them from feeding the ball to Gyan or either of the Ghanaian wingers. We’re big Jermaine Jones doubters here at the Desert Island. If he begins to wander forward too much or gets too physical and ends up with a card, the States could be in a bit of trouble. Still having Beckerman next to him allows Jones to play a little more freely which benefits the whole team.
The three midfield players going forward feature some of the best talent the United States has ever produced. Michael Bradley is on the road to being the greatest American player of all time. He will be able to float in the midfield, showing up where he is most needed. I assume Bradley will try and boss the center of the pitch, take the ball through the defense and send the ball wide allowing for him and Jozy to make runs into the box. Or he could try and take the entire defense one on one. I’d be cool with that too. If he wanted to just lie down in the middle of the pitch and chill a bit I wouldn’t be worried. That’s how much I trust Michael Bradley. I hope Dempsey plays on the left side of midfield. I’ve always found that this is his best position. Instead of having him in the center of the pitch, let him go wide and take the defenders one on one, or send a cross in. He can also cut inside if necessary. The last member of the midfield will be either Zusi or Bedoya. Klinsy seems to prefer Bedoya while I prefer Zusi,. This player, regardless of who it is, has to perform for the United States. If he’s not up to scratch the Ghanian defense will use it to their advantage. To be successful, the midfield needs to push forward and put pressure on the Black Stars young defense early and often.
Jozy Altidore has finally scored. After only producing one goal in the Premier League this year, Sunderland fans bestowed the young American with the nickname “Dozy Anti-Score.” Still, Jozy had an outstanding 2013 for the USA and comes into the World Cup with two goals under his belt for the USMNT in 2014, both scored in the final friendly before the World Cup against Nigeria. If Jozy gets the service from midfield, he will score in Brazil. Besides, if Jozy is having a rough night out Klinsmann will surely bring on Mobile-born Aron Johannsson to be the spark that the United States need.
Noted earlier, this a must win for both teams. If they don’t get three points from this match, group G will be an uphill climb for them. Young, inexperienced defenses could lead to lots of goals in this match which would continue the precedent set by every other match of this World Cup. Neither team will take their lead for granted though, in five of the eleven matches already played in this World Cup, the team that has scored first has gone on to lose the match. I doubt this will be a cagey affair, both teams are gladly going to take it to the other, which is great from an entertainment standpoint, but not for my heart.
Final Score Prediction: 3-2 to the United States
The Desert Island 