ASN: U.S. vs. Ghana: An Early Take a look at the Key Matchups

Sure, we all know the all-important showdown with the Black Stars continues to be greater than a month away. We do not care. We wish to obsess over it now. And so do you.

BY

Blake Thomsen

Posted
Could 06, 2014
5:33 PM

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IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY to start out fascinated with the World Cup, and since we all know that all of it will get began for the U.S. on June 16 vs. Ghana, we determined to place collectively this preliminary match preview.

(For those who nonetheless have to familiarize your self with Ghana’s gamers, coach, historical past, or ways, please accomplish that now. In any other case, learn on. )

On this first a part of a recurring collection, we’ll check out how the U.S. and Ghana match up in key areas, specializing in every crew’s strengths and weaknesses.

Adam Kwarasey vs. U.S. attackers
Ghana No. 1 keeper Adam Kwarasey has now performed the previous seven seasons for Stromsgodset in Norway. Kwarasey is likely one of the Norwegian league’s higher keepers, however it’s nonetheless protected to say that he stands out as the weakest hyperlink in a robust Ghana facet. It is going to be of utmost significance for the U.S. to check Kwarasey as a lot as doable, so it is likely to be price attempting extra photographs from distance than traditional to see if he spills a harmful rebound or two.

Benefit: United States (by a large margin)

Rashid Sumaila/Jerry Akaminko vs. U.S. Strikers
That is one other space during which the U.S. has a determined edge, attacking by way of the center of the Ghana protection. Sumaila and Akaminko are comparatively quick for heart backs, however they’re largely untested and have solely performed collectively just a few instances. Dempsey, Altidore, and whoever else joins them within the assault can benefit from their relative inexperience.

Dempsey drew a penalty in opposition to Ghana within the final World Cup, and doing so once more just isn’t out of the query in opposition to Sumaila and Akaminko. The previous conceded a penalty in opposition to Egypt within the qualifying playoffs, and he’ll be examined time and again by the U.S. in June. Go to the two:15 mark to see Akaminko foolishly clatter into Ahmed Hamoudi within the field.

One final be aware: Ghana’s fullbacks are higher than their heart backs, so there’s much more incentive for Michael Bradley to affix the assault by way of the center of the sphere. We’ll see if Klinsmann units up a crew which permits Bradley to take action.

Benefit: U.S.

The Central Midfield Battle
When these two groups met in 2010, the U.S. couldn’t compete with Ghana’s energy and high quality within the heart of the pitch. 4 years later, Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien (who wasn’t match for the 2010 matchup) have declined in type, whereas Michael Bradley has progressed from a younger upstart to North America’s greatest participant.

Bradley will look to get in behind Essien and Muntari and wreak havoc on the inexperienced Ghana backline from a sophisticated central place—with the shape he’s in, this shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of an issue. Nevertheless, every time Bradley will get ahead, he’ll go away the U.S. that little bit extra susceptible to Ghana’s trademark counters, which regularly come by way of the middle of the pitch.

Like Muntari and Essien, Jones is a contact previous his prime, however he nonetheless brings lots to the desk. His Champions League expertise and veteran qualities ought to make him a greater match alongside Bradley than Ricardo Clark was again in 2010.

The X-factor could also be Jones’ outdated Schalke teammate, Kevin Prince-Boateng, who devastated the U.S. with a tremendous solo purpose again in 2010 (don’t watch should you’re squeamish).

Prince-Boateng has a mix of tempo and energy that works very well within the frenetic tempo of World Cup matches. Stopping his driving runs from the tip of the middle midfield trio shall be important if the U.S. needs to maintain Ghana quiet. Doing so would require appreciable positional self-discipline from Jones, who might want to defend the again 4 all recreation lengthy. Does Jones have it in him?

Nearly as good as Michael Bradley is, it’s nonetheless barely extra doubtless for Ghana to win this space of the pitch, particularly because of its possible 3-2 numerical benefit within the center.

Benefit: Ghana (barely)

Kwadwo Asamoah vs. Geoff Cameron
Nearly as good as Geoff Cameron has been at proper again for Stoke Metropolis, he’ll have his fingers full with Juventus’ Kwadwo Asamoah, who could be one of the best participant for both crew. Asamoah can run for days, and he additionally brings appreciable talent on the ball and high quality crossing. As you’ll see within the video beneath, he prefers to drive the ball on the bottom throughout the field—U.S. defenders must be on prime of their recreation to verify he doesn’t choose up an help or two.

Ghana will look to funnel most of its attacking down the left facet, so it’s of utmost significance that Cameron be sharp for all 90 minutes. Klinsmann also needs to think about Asamoah when naming his proper midfielder. Alejandro Bedoya might be bodily greatest suited to coping with Asamoah, and that is likely to be sufficient to get him into the beginning lineup.

Together with Prince-Boateng and Asamoah Gyan, Asamoah is likely one of the essential males on this Ghana facet. Shutting him down shall be important in slowing down Ghana’s high-octane assault.

Benefit: Ghana

Asamoah Gyan vs. U.S. Central Protection
American followers know all too properly what Asamoah Gyan can do. His well-taken purpose in further time knocked the U.S. out of the 2010 World Cup, and the 28-year-old shall be trying to do extra of the identical in Brazil.

Notice the buildup for the purpose within the video above. It’s fully non-existent. A Ghana defender simply hoofs a ball clear and Gyan pounces, utilizing his uncommon mixture of pace and energy to fend off Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit earlier than firing an unstoppable shot previous Tim Howard. The U.S. heart backs must be on purple alert all recreation to verify they don’t fall sufferer to an identical destiny.

Matt Besler has been sharp for the U.S. since taking up as a first-choice heart again, however he’s a bit undersized and will wrestle to cope with Gyan’s physicality. Omar Gonzalez appears matchup bodily, however can he keep switched on and error-free for 90 minutes? Clarence Goodson’s positioning is often glorious however he’s not the kind of elite athlete who’s all that properly suited to cope with Gyan’s athleticism. Geoff Cameron is a candidate as properly, however he has performed virtually completely proper again for 2 straight years for Stoke.

It’ll be a tricky name for Klinsmann to make, however getting the central protection pairing proper doubtless shall be important in figuring out the sport’s final result.

Benefit: Ghana

Tim Howard vs. Ghana attackers
Tim Howard truly comes into this World Cup in his greatest statistical type (for Everton at the least) because the 2008-09 season. That’s dangerous information for Ghana attackers, as an in-form Howard is able to singlehandedly profitable video games. Howard has a save share of 75% and 14 clear sheets, each tops since that 08-09 marketing campaign. If the U.S. backline can restrict Ghana’s attractiveness at purpose, Howard might very properly ship his second profession World Cup shutout.

Benefit: U.S.

We’ll have tons of in-depth protection because the World Cup will get nearer, actually, however it is a preliminary take a look at how the 2 sides match up. Although Ghana is the least glamorous of the U.S.’s Group G opponents, that is the sport that could possibly be most vital in figuring out the Yanks’ World Cup destiny. The 2 sides match up fairly evenly, however by profiting from Ghana’s shaky protection and goalie, the U.S. might discover its path to success.

What do you assume Ghana’s greatest weak point is? What ought to the U.S. attempt to exploit? Who do you assume will win? Tell us within the feedback part.

Blake Thomsen is a frequent ASN contributor. Comply with him on Twitter.