USA vs. Ghana... A Fearless Prediction

I got chills...

When Landon Donovan scored the game winning goal in stoppage time against Algeria, The Crown & Goose pub in the Old City got loud.  Really loud.

The spontaneous reaction, the complete strangers giving each other high fives, the chants of U-S-A... it was one of those moments that makes being a sports fan worth all the negatives that come with the fun.

Now, the American team has a new goal.  Beat Ghana, and advance to the quarterfinals for the second time in the last three World Cup tournaments.

In the Algeria game, team USA had numerous chances to score, but it took an agonizingly long time for them to put the ball in the net.  Getting off to a better start offensively would be huge against a very good defensive team like Ghana.  On the flip side, Ghana has offensive issues of their own.  They've scored zero "non-penalty kick" goals in their first three games.

The Americans are used to playing in hostile environments, and while Rustenburg won't look anything like a WC qualifier in Mexico City, the Ghanians will have the large majority of crowd support in South Africa.  Ghana is the lone remaining African team in the tournament.

One other note. USA could exact a measure of revenge here.  Ghana beat USA 2-1 in the 2006 World Cup, a loss that eliminated the Americans.

I'm not ready for this run to end... and I'm assuming you aren't either...

Fearless Prediction Time...

USA 2, Ghana 0

Mark's 2010 Fearless Prediction Record: 3-2