{"id":2996,"date":"2010-06-26T07:19:47","date_gmt":"2010-06-26T12:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.calvertgames.com\/cgblog\/?p=2996"},"modified":"2010-06-26T07:19:47","modified_gmt":"2010-06-26T12:19:47","slug":"team-usa-looks-to-thwart-ghana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.calvertgames.com\/cgblog\/2010\/06\/26\/team-usa-looks-to-thwart-ghana\/","title":{"rendered":"Team USA Looks to Thwart Ghana"},"content":{"rendered":"

So this is it. Semifinals or bust. Ah, but first Ghana, a team that ruined the US in the 2006 World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the 2006 World Cup, after finishing top of the CONCACAF qualification tournament, the U.S. was drawn into Group E along with the Czech Republic, Italy, and Ghana. Since three of the teams were ranked in the top 10 of the FIFA World Rankings at the time, it was considered a Group of Death.<\/p>\n

The United States opened its tournament with a 3\u20130 loss to the Czech Republic. The team then drew 1\u20131 against Italy (ending up being the only opponent the Italian side failed to defeat in the tournament). The United States was then knocked out of the tournament when beaten 2\u20131 by Ghana in its final group match.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This time things are different, right? The US is playing well as a team, which was really the talk most often while I was in England and Scotland earlier this week. Of course, for the most part the US and our chances were dismissed, however to a man almost everyone I spoke \u201cfootball\u201d with was complimentary of the way the US plays as a team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But more important, what\u2019s truly caught the soccer world\u2019s attention here, is how the Americans have played: not necessarily the results of their play, but the character of it. Their mistakes have been large, but they\u2019ve recovered from them. When they might have given up \u2014 down against England, down against Slovenia, all but down and out against Algeria \u2014 they persevered. While other teams have suffered personality rifts or even outright mutiny, there hasn\u2019t been a whisper of discontent out of the U.S. camp. They\u2019ve become the embodiment of optimism here, of the power of hope and belief.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So there is hope, because a true breakout win today against Ghana means the US can actually make a run as the US are on the \u201ceasy\u201d side of the bracket<\/a>. The winner of US\/Ghana will play the winner of Uruguay\/South Korea, both of which are winnable games for this US squad. A win in the quarterfinals would take the US to the semifinals to most likely pair up with Brazil or the Netherlands. And then? Well, I am getting ahead of myself. First Ghana.<\/p>\n

I have a feeling of hope and optimism that the US will actually put together a full game today, and not get behind early on a defensive lapse. If the US can continue to attack and actually land something in the net I think we will advance 1-nil, nay, maybe 2-1.<\/p>\n

This is it! Go USA! USA! Let\u2019s cheer for our boys and the Red, White, and Blue!<\/p>\n

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