The United States' hopes of advancing to the second round of the World Cup finals ended on Thursday with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ghana. The win allowed Ghana and Italy to advance from Group E and eliminated the U.S. and the Czech Republic.
The U.S. entered the competition ranked fifth in the world by FIFA, the international soccer organization. In 2002, the Americans surprised critics and reached the quarterfinals. This year, they hoped to do even better but that dream ended after an 0-2-1 showing in the first round.
Haminu Draman gave Ghana the lead in the 22nd minute. Draman stole the ball from U.S. captain Claudio Reyna and broke in alone on goalie Kasey Keller.
The Americans tied the score just before halftime when Clint Dempsey converted off a beautiful crossing pass by DeMarcus Beasley from 10 feet out in the 43rd minute.
Ghana came right back, however and got the game winner just a minute later. Both American defender Oguchi Onyewu and Ghana's Razak Pimpong jumped for a header on the edge of the penalty area. The referee called a foul on Onyewu and awarded Ghana a penalty kick.
Kasey Keller moved to his left but Ghana captain Stephen Appiah shot the ball to the right and Ghana regained the lead at 2-1.
'I am disappointed in the judgment of the referee,' U.S. coach Bruce Arena said after the game. 'We would have liked to come out at halftime even, with a chance to win the game. That was a big call.'
The U.S. pressed in the second half but was unable to mount many good chances. The game ended 2-1 in favor of the West Africans.
'The worst part is the finality of it,' said midfielder Landon Donovan. 'Even during the game, you don't get the sense this is it. Then the whistle blows and it's over.'
Ghana advanced to the round of 16 and is likely to face the favorite in the tournament, Brazil.
'This is a historic moment for us,' Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic said. 'It was a very nervous match because of the importance to both teams. But we have done it, we are satisfied.'
Meanwhile, the U.S. will not get another opportunity at the World Cup finals for another four years.
