Ghana takes game, 2-1

Samuel Inkoom cleared the ball out of the Ghana zone with a bicycle kick. He landed untouched and did not get back up. Inkoom was untouched, but had needed to be carried off on a stretcher.

It appeared to be a blatant waste of the remaining extra time.

That aside, the Americans played poorly in the extra time periods with sloppy touches being the general theme after regulation ended.

The US had a multiple scoring chances but did not take advantage of corner kicks and free kicks.

Jay Demerit fired an off balance shot off a corner kick in the last two minutes of the game, but shot went over the crossbar.

Ghana ran the clock down and took the victory, 2-1. Ghana knocked the Americans out by the same score during the 2006 World Cup as well.

The only remaining African country playing in the World Cup in South Africa will take on Uruguay, 2-1 winners over South Korea.

American's urgency missing

Asamoah Gyan’s goal, scored just three minutes into the first 15-minute extra period, stole all of the USA’s momentum.

America looks tired on the field, but if they hope to play in the next round of the World Cup, they will need to play with the urgency they had in the second half of this game.

The US has another 15 minutes to tie the game.

If America were to tie the game at two goals apiece, the teams would play in a shoot-out.

Gyan puts Ghana ahead

Asamoah Gyan scored the go-ahead goal in the 93^rd minute for Ghana.

Gyan fought off two defenders in the US penalty box and put the shot over the head of American goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The shot was on the near post and sailed over the hands of Howard to find the back of the net and put Ghana in the driver’s seat for the remainder of this game.

USA, Ghana in extra time

Ghana had a chance in the final seconds of regulation to take the World Cup game from the USA.

Asamoah Gyan centered a corner kick that was headed high and wide of the US goal just before the final whistle blew.

The teams now will play extra time.

Considering the Americans’ track record in the World Cup tournament to this point, it is not unreasonable to think USA has the advantage.

The US certainly has the momentum, following Landon Donovan’s tying goal in the 62^nd minute.

Against Algeria, Donovan scored the game winner in injury time to put the Americans in the round of 16. The game prior versus Slovenia, the US overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to complete a 2-2 draw.

So the United States has had a flare for the dramatic during this tournament. It will be known in a short while if the Americans can continue their heart-stopping journey into the final eight teams.

Donovan ties USA with Ghana

Landon Donovan’s penalty kick in the 62^nd minute of the USA’s game against Ghana has given America new life.

The US looked stale at the halfway mark trailing, 1-0. Ghana’s Prince scored in the fifth minute of the game and the only remaining African country in the World Cup shut America down the rest of the half.

However, once Donovan netted the equalizer off the right post, USA is playing more inspired.

The game is nearing the 90 minute mark. If the score is tied, at the end of regulation, two 15-minute periods will be played. If no winner has been determined the game will go to a penalty kick shoot-out.

Check back at I Am Sportacus for updates.

USA soccer can celebrate ... for now.

The United States World Cup team finally gets a win, and it propels them into an unlikely first place finish in their group. Landon Donovan put the rebound in at 92:00.

The problem with the outcome was the USA’s opportunities they failed to capitalize on. They did have a goal stolen from them. Again. But, they also missed two wide-open goals and several other chances under pressure.

It was obvious. They were failing under pressure. Jozy Altadore had no goalie in front of the net. All he has to do is tap it in. He kicks it wildly over the net. It was a pressure play. Edson Buddle had a chance, and he whiffed.

Tim Howard and the defense played good, but Algeria is not the offensive threat like Argentina or Germany or the Netherlands are. The USA will need to score on chances like that against those teams. They will need to get three or four goals.

Another big stat? The USA leads the World Cup Final teams with the most goals, with 10, after the 86^th minute. Wait. So, the USA has either been losing or tied after 86 minutes in 10 games. This includes qualifying matches and the first round of the final.

Sooner or later these types of pressure situations catch up with a team. A team can only make so many dramatic plays, and the United States cannot play with fire in the elimination round.

I don’t think they can beat Germany or Argentina or anyone in a shootout. I see a team struggling with pressure. They should have had five goals against Argentina, but they folded in the spotlight.

The last goal was due to Algeria’s push on the other end. They didn’t have enough people back, and the United States finally had the rebound with numbers.

Speed is an attribute; and if they have numbers, the USA can make goalies sweat. However, if they really want to make the next step, the goals need to come earlier. The team needs to be consistent the whole game. And, they must win in regulation.

So, celebrate for now, but beware. I would not be surprised if Ghana finally puts the botch on their dreams. The key? Score first, and play with nothing to lose. In my mind, they really don’t.