U.S. out of World Cup after 2-1 overtime loss
In magical fashion the United States came from behind or struck late in every one of their World Cup matches, a refrain that was repeated again in their round of 16 clash against Ghana.
But the early goals against them were always the curse.
On Saturday, the U.S. valiantly fought back again after giving up a goal in the fifth minute of regulation. But when the Africans struck a second time in the third minute of overtime, it was enough for the same 2-1 margin by which they’d beaten the U.S. in the World Cup four years ago.
And this time it ended the Americans’ journey to a continent that was left to celebrate a quarterfinal berth for one of its own.
Asamoah Gyan delivered the knockout blow, chesting down a long ball and smashing it over U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard to send Ghana through to a showdown with Uruguay.
The U.S. had appeared to overcome another baffling squad selection when Landon Donovan converted a penalty kick in the 62nd minute, but the first-half concession was both familiar and predictable.
In the fifth minute, U.S. midfielder Ricardo Clark, who hadn’t played since the opening match of the tournament against England and whose form was questionable coming into the World Cup, was dispossessed at the kickoff spot by Kevin Prince Boateng.
With the ball at his feet, the Ghanaian forward raced downfield, cut to his left and rifled past Howard at the near post.
Clark then picked up a yellow card immediately afterward, and U.S. head coach Bob Bradley, who’d forced himself into tactical substitutions at halftime of every match in the group stage, pulled the midfielder in the 31st minute for Maurice Edu.
Despite a possession disadvantage, the U.S. improved as the half progressed. Robbie Findley had the best U.S. chance of the half on a counterattack in the 35th minute, but shot right at Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson, who made a reaction kick save.
Howard denied Kwadwo Asamoah two minutes later to keep the Americans within one score.
Benny Feilhaber made an immediate impact after replacing Robbie Findley at halftime, forcing Kingson into his best save of the match from close range.
