Ghana and the USA will go head to head tonight at the Estadio das Dunas in Natal in what many people are touting as the battle for third place in the group, with most pundits expecting Germany and Portugal to top the group. A draw between Portugal and Germany would open things up nicely however, should that result not be duplicated here. Jurgen Klinsmann, the US coach will be keeping a wary eye on the Ghanians and will show them due respect, as they have knocked out the US three times in this competition before. Klinsmann showed in the final warm up game what his team are about, with an imposing style designed to intimidate the opponent and prevent possession for long periods as well as playing a strong attacking game with forays forward a t every opportunity.
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Ghana are full of pace however, and will probably try to hit the USA on the break, hard and fast, so Klinsmann will probably stack his midfield and play a slightly deeper back line in order to try and nullify that threat. The US, for all their attacking menace will need to keep their discipline, as Ghana have been known to rip a team to shreds using their terrifying pace, an example of which was Egypt, who they thrashed 6-0. Ghana are often seen as minnows, but the US should definitely pay them due heed, with one of the world’s finest midfielders in Michael Essien available for tonight, not forgetting Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan. Pace down the flanks will be provided by brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew in abundance.
The US are not without a few influential players of their own, however. Starting at the back they have an old war horse of the English Premier League in Goalkeeper Tim Howard who has seen out an incredible eleven seasons with Everton FC. In their defensive ranks are John Brooks of Hertha Berlin, Geoff Cameron of Stoke City in the English Premier League, Andre Yedlin of Seattle Sounders and Fabian Johnson of Moenchengladbach. Midfielders include the powerful Michael Bradley, Julian Green of Bayern Munich and Jermaine Jones of Besiktas and at the front there is the Sunderland forward Jozy Altidore as well as the hugely experienced Clint Dempsey.
With Portugal and Germany still to come, both teams must give it everything they’ve got this evening at the 39,000 seater Estadio Das Dunas. There have already been some shock results at this year’s tournament however, with Spain getting thumped 5-1 at the hands of the Netherlands and England getting beaten 2-1 by the Azzurri. The fan turnout tonight will probably be heavily stacked in the Americans’ favour, with the US supporter contingent purchasing more tickets than any other country.
Klinsmann knows that a lot is riding on tonight’s game, with even a victory insufficient to guarantee passage into the next round. “Over time you want to see progress in the team”, he said. “Now we have an awesome moment, on the biggest stage you can have, where you want to show you have improved”.
