Jozy Altidore leaves match with hamstring injury
Clint Dempsey took the pass from Jermaine Jones, traversing the pitch and turning the Ghana defender completely around in the process.
What came next could not be predicted by the most optimistic, America-loving, Jurgen Klinsmann-supporting United States fan.
America’s captain sent the ball off his left foot, getting the bounce off the post that he needed to put the United States up early and pencil his name in the history books. Dempsey’s goal was the fastest the United States has ever scored in a World Cup game — fifth fastest of all-time — and also made him the first American to score a goal in three different World Cups.
Red, white and blue jerseys stormed across the pitch, past a sullen and defeated Ghana keeper to celebrate the immediate realization that the United States now controlled its own destiny.
The United States were now on top of the team that had beaten them twice before, most recently in the 2010 World Cup, ending the team’s quest for a title in the Round of 16.
If the first minute of the game was the mountaintop, then the 21st minute must have been the deepest valley on the planet. One where the darkest nightmares of the United States are realized.
Jozy Altidore, the only forward on the roster with significant international playing time under his belt — aside from Dempsey — came up lame, grabbing his left leg, ultimately giving way to what was clearly a hamstring injury.
The injury magnified the Landon Donovan controversy, sending waves of uncertainty through the American fan base directed toward head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. With Altidore down, Klinsmann was forced to call on forward Aron Johannsson, who seemed to have a difficult time adjusting to the pace of the game.
However, the Americans’ confidence in their team’s ability to keep Ghana at bay never seemed to falter, even at times when Ghana seemed to be outplaying the Americans.
Ghana controlled the possession of the ball well over half of the entire game — an alarming 62 percent to America’s 38 percent.
With their possession came chances. By the end of the game, Ghana had recorded 21 shots, making the United States’ mark of eight shots look like a single follicle on Kyle Beckerman’s full head of hair.
Out of their 21 shots, Ghana finally made good on an attempt. Agonizing enough, the equalizer came with eight minutes left in full time, and was scored off a nifty backwards pass that Andre Ayew put in the back of the net.
After leading for over 81 minutes of the match, the United States now saw themselves facing a draw with arguably the weakest team in Group G, and Dempsey’s opportunistic goal felt like it happened in another lifetime.
In a stroke of Klinsmann’s coaching brilliance, fellow German, John Brooks Jr., took a corner kick from Graham Zusi and found the back of the net with it, making him the first United States substitute to score a goal in the World Cup. Brooks Jr. was subbed into the game in the 46th minute while Zusi came on in the 77th minute.
With a vindicating 2-1 victory added to their résumé, the United States now sit atop Group G in good company. Germany, which has looked the most dominant thus far, joins the United States with three points at the top of Group G.
While Ghana draws Germany in its next match, the United States squad will face a Portugal team, which was just routed to the tune of 4-0 by Germany, and will be missing defender Pepe who was sent off with a red card earlier Monday afternoon.
Regardless of whether the United States is able to compete for a World Cup championship this year, Klinsmann is laying the foundation for the country to win for years to come. Landon Donovan did an unquestionable amount for soccer in the United States, but he is the face of the past. Giving experience to younger players paid off Monday night, and with a little luck, it will carry the United States further than its ever been before.