Sports

History has not been kind to USMNT in World Cup matches against Ghana

This will be the third consecutive World Cup with USA facing Ghana.

When the US and Ghana were both drawn into Group G for the 2014 World Cup, a collective groan sounded around the country among USMNT supporters.

The Ghanaians have earned the reputation as something of a dream-killer for the United States, bouncing the USMNT out of the last two World Cups.

In 2006, the Black Stars were an up-and-coming team that many overlooked prior to the tournament.

That all changed, however, when they handed a struggling US side a 2-1 defeat in the final match of the group stage, putting the proverbial nail in the coffin of a less-than-stellar outing by the US in Germany that summer.

Haminu Draman scored for Ghana in the 22nd minute after Claudio Reyna had been unceremoniously dispossessed as the last man.

Clint Dempsey equalized for the US in the 43rd minute, but a controversial penalty call on Oguchi Onyewu gave the Black Stars an opportunity to double their lead just before halftime, and Stephen Appiah converted the penalty kick.

In 2010, the United States was riding a high after several late-game rallies put the team through to the round of 16 in South Africa.

Kevin-Prince Boateng scored early for the Black Stars, taking advantage of a Ricardo Clark mistake and beating Tim Howard in the fifth minute, while Landon Donovan equalized on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute.

However, Asamoah Gyan's strike just three minutes into extra time was the difference for Ghana, sending the US home by a scoreline of 2-1 yet again.

The US will be looking to add a more successful chapter in the series history this time around.

Not only is the 2014 squad much younger and lacking the historical baggage from '06 and '10, but they will be meeting the Black Stars in their first match of the tournament.

Source: Soccerly.com

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jonny.rico@sandiegored.com (Follow Jonny Rico on Facebook and Twitter)

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