What is it with all these US analyses with players notoriously played out of their position. Jordan Ayew as a right winger? Samuel Inkoom as a substitute centreback? Acquah as the substitute right back? Mubarak as a substitue right winger? Rabiu as the box to box midfielder with Essien as the destroyer? Andre Ayew and Majeed Waris as left wingers? No mention of Asamoah there, instead he's placed as the starting left back? Also: Why are analysts so certain Kevin Prince Boateng will start? And whats with the fixation on a Muntari - Essien pivot? Ghana used it twice during the Egypt playoff, but thats because players like Rabiu were injured. Are only the analysts clueless as to where these players play for the Ghana national team or does the US coaching team also have it all mixed up? http://americansoccernow.com/articles/u-s-vs-ghana-asn-s-deep-dive-tactical-breakdown
Salvador (Bahia) is the heart of Afro Brazilian culture. Natal's population is 3.5% Afro-Brazilian. I frankly don't buy it with the match not in Salvador and I'm someone with extensive experience of the Nordeste.
http://instagram.com/p/pOBLn0uc6_/ http://ghanafa.org/pages/blackstars/201406/9672.php Fans show up to watch the Black Stars train.
When Ghana played the USA in Germany the Germans supported Ghana over the USA. People support teams for various reasons.
Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson is going to be the ref for the Ghana game. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ret-millionaire-referee-sent-Lewandowski.html That seems fairly good. The U.S. seems to struggle in games with Latin American refs. Eriksson is independently rich, so he won't be bribed. And he has a reputation for allowing fairly physical play, so we likely don't have to worry about Jones or Bradley being sent off for a minor foul like we do when jackasses like Uruguay's Jorge Larrionda are in charge.
"Yes, we're happy to be underdogs," Mensah told FIFA.com. "We respect that, statistically, the teams in our group are really high-profile, more so than Ghana, and we do respect that. But we're here and we're more focused on our game. And we're here to prove everybody wrong once again." Mensah, 23, believes the opener game against the U.S. is very crucial to their campaign. http://ghanafa.org/pages/blackstars/201406/9676.php
They may have an advantage but I doubt it will be massive. From press reports, the US fan support will be 20,000 strong.
This day is finally here.... all the talk and all the analysis means nothing now - both teams have to do the talking on the pitch.... I feel this group will still be wide open after first round of matches....I predict a Germany - Portugal Draw....
Grant Wahl @GrantWahl 1m Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng not in Ghana's starting lineup vs USA http://www.ghanafa.org/pages/blackstars/201406/9681.php…
i dont see that as a positive for the US. Essien is slow and screaming at his teammates. Boateng off the bench at minute 60 will be a beast let loose from the cage. Ghana wants to win this late.
I have to give props to our Ghanian friends who provided enjoyable banter and a fan's insight on the team leading up to this game. You guys have a great team and it was a battle out there. Asomoah Gyan is a phenomenal player and it's a shame to see a guy with his ability playing his trade in the UAE. Cheers on a great game and mutual respect between fan bases. You guys are welcome back here anytime.
Gary Al-Smith @garyalsmith · 7m Rumours aplenty in local Ghanaian media tonight about a player mutiny in Brazil. I cannot independently confirm. Gary Al-Smith @garyalsmith · 27s What I can confirm is that post-USA game presser was cancelled 6 hrs ago. No official reason given. Not normal. Gary Al-Smith @garyalsmith · 21h Boateng, asked by ARD if he's surprised he didn't start: "Yes, I was. Bcos you're supposed to start with your best eleven." #clubmetro
That doesn't bode well for Ghana helping us later against Portugal if we need it, or helping themselves. I don't get the mutiny, they played a helluva game, they just couldn't break down our defense. Like Michael Bradley's bad game, sometimes it just doesn't go your way. No reason to wig out, and get stupid, and hell they are very much still in it.
I wouldn't say well in it, but in it, absolutely, especially considering what happened with Portugal. Although our game order is more favorable than theirs, IMO.
I wouldn't go overboard on this. Playerwise its limited to KPB, if to anyone. Appiah got his criticism for player selection. Asamoah said he shouldn't be playing at left back, while Boateng went public with his criticism of not being a starter. Apparently the initial conflict was about the hotel that FIFA recommended, which was a flea bitten hole. The players revolted hence the flew back directly to Madeia.
Re: mutinies Remember we had one after a defeat AWAY at Honduras!!! When you lose, ppl start to lose it. You win and suddenly everything is kosher.