World Cup Matches of the Day; [R] 6/22/06

[AreliusIV]

My predictions:
Ghana 0 : 1 USA
Czech Rep. 1 : 2 Italy
Croatia 1 : 0 Australia
Japan 0 : 3 Brazil

[AreliusIV]

Scouting Ghana

Marek reveals Azzurri secrets

Ghana v USA

USA needs to find the net

Burning questions for U.S. coach Arena

U.S. vs. Ghana at a glance

First Cup Berth Is the Sweetest for Ghana

McBride Is Giving a Bloody Good Effort

Cloud Nine or Cloud Nein?

Americans Must Win Next Game or Go Home

Ghana Takes Crash Course in U.S. Soccer

[AreliusIV]

In what is probably the most complicated group in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, the USA and Ghana will face off at 16:00 (CET) on Thursday knowing that their fates may also depend on the results of the Italy-Czech Republic game, which will be played at the same time.
The United States have one point after stumbling to a 3-0 loss to the Czechs but then recovering for a 1-1 draw with Italy in a match that saw three players sent off, two of them American. Ghana, meanwhile, also struggled in their opener, falling 2-0 to Italy, but then recovered to humble the high-flying Czechs 2-0. The results leave everybody alive and nobody assured a place in the Round of 16. Ghana are tied with the Czechs on three points, with Italy top with four and the US bottom.

Colours for the game
Ghana: red shirt, red shorts, red socks
USA: white shirt, navy blue shorts, white socks

The story so far
With the situation the way it is, Ghana would advance with a win regardless of the result between Italy and Czech Republic. A draw in both matches would mean Italy and the Czech Republic going through, with the Czechs finishing above Ghana thanks to their plus-one goal difference. If Italy win and Ghana draw, Italy and Ghana are through.

The US will also be hoping for an Italian victory, as the likeliest advancement scenario has them and Italy both winning. If Italy and the Czech Republic draw, the US would have to win by an extremely wide margin to edge out the Czechs on goal difference, with the Americans currently at minus-three.

As for the game itself, both the US and Ghana will be missing key players due to suspensions. Ghana will be without their two goalscorers from their win over the Czechs, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, while the Americans will be without veteran centre-back Eddie Pope and defensive midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, starters from each of the their first two matches who were sent off against Italy.

The duel
Claudio Reyna v Michael Essien
These two midfield leaders both play professionally in the English Premiership, Reyna at Manchester City and Essien at league champions Chelsea. Though Essien is unquestionably the more athletic of the two, Reyna has the edge when it comes to experience, this being his third FIFA World Cup. Each player has been at the centre of virtually everything good to come from his team their match-up could prove decisive. The question will be, can Reyna's craftiness and vision make up for Essien's superior speed and strength?

[AreliusIV]

USA coach Bruce Arena has pinpointed Michael Essien as the main danger to his side's hopes of beating Ghana and potentially reaching the second round.

The Chelsea midfielder was in outstanding form in the Black Stars' 2-0 win over the Czech Republic and Arena sees denying him control of the midfield as key to the 2002 quarter-finalists' chances of advancing.

"Essien is one of the top players in this tournament," said Arena. "He not only organized their attack, he played well on defence.

"He's a player who is brilliant. We can't let him do what he wants for 90 minutes or we're going to lose."

Chelsea paid 38 million Euros, the largest transfer fee for any African player, to bring Essien from French champion Lyon. Essien responded by helping the London club capture a second consecutive English Premier League crown.

Essien has the ability to orchestrate the backline and serve as a creative force in attack, impressing US counterpart Landon Donovan.

"Essien is dynamic. He is the modern two-way player. He plays tough defence and he scores a lot of goals," Donovan said.

"He's going to hurt you if you're not aware of where he is all the time. So we're going to be aware."

While Ghana and the US squad have never clashed in a full international, they did meet in the match for third place in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship, when defensive co-ordinator Essien helped Ghana get the best of Donovan's US side to win bronze.

Asked if he recalled Essien from the match, Donovan admitted, "No, I don't. But you can say I did."

Donovan might soon remember Essien as the man who sparked an African nation's side to a FIFA World Cup™ dream triumph over a team from one of the wealthiest and most powerful countries on the planet.

Just ask Czech goalkeeper Peter Cech, who saw his own country's title hopes imperiled by his Chelsea teammate.

"Essien showed what a great player he is," Cech said.

Essien himself knows that victory over the Americans in the Group E showdown would send the tournament debutantes into the round of 16, possibly against reigning champion Brazil.

"It would be hard, but we are prepared for it," Essien said. "We're not afraid to meet the Brazilians. We are ready to play anyone. First we have to deal with the USA. They play good football and they will be tough."

"We will go for a win against the US team. And our chances are good I think."

[BetterThanChivas]

Italy 2-0 Czech
Ghana 2-1 USA

Italy did their part, but USA didn't. Ghana and Itay go through, but Ghana will most likely have to play Brazil. The GWG for Ghana was a horrible PK call.

[AreliusIV]

The story of the US' 2006 World Cup was: lack of leadership. No one wanted to step up and lead the US to victory.

The players I most incriminate are:

Claudio Reyna
DaMarcus Beasley
Landon Donovan

It falls squarely on their shoulders to be leaders of the team. They didn't lead like they needed to. The US had no leader out there.

[fuegote]

Originally Posted by BetterThanChivas

The GWG for Ghana was a horrible PK call.

So...what did we do to counter? We had a whole half to recover and sat on our thumbs doing nothing.

I did enjoy the 20 minutes of Ghanarians choking in pain as though some phantom hit them.

[I_Believe_In_Kreis]

There was more to it than a lack of leadership, although that was an issue. For example:
1. Some strange formation/substitution patterns by The Bruce (by the way Bruce, still think you're in the running for a job in Europe?).
2. Key defensive breakdowns at inopportune moments (yes, the PK against Gooch was controversial, but the whole thing could've been avoided if Bocanegra had cleared the damn ball in the first place).
3. Lack of intensity except during the Italy game (does it strike you as ironic that we were the only team to get a point vs. the group champs?)

and most importantly.....

4. Beyond poor finishing. Before the World Cup I posted that finishing would be our achilles' heel, and unfortunately I was right. 4 SOG in 3 matches. I have no doubt we'll qualify for 2010, but if we hope to avoid this kind of embarassment again, we'll need to develop some quality finishers.

Hmmmm, questionable coaching decisions, lapses in concentration defensively, awful finishing.......remind you of a certain MLS team?

[AreliusIV]

So one of the questions of the day is: Will The Bruce be at the helm of the team in 2010?

If not, who would be the most likely successor? A foreigner?

[montgjules]

Dear Bruce,

The fans of Salt Lake City are ready to welcome you with open arms. Please don't try to bring Landon with you. He was horrible today.

Love,

Patiently Waiting For The Bruce