Posted on Sun, Jun 27, 2010 : 7:30 a.m.
USA loses to Ghana 2-1 in overtime heartbreaker
By Pete Cunningham
The U.S.'s World Cup run is officially over, after losing a heartbreaking overtime thriller with Ghana. Four years after falling to the Black Stars in the group stages, the Americans got to the Round of 16 this time, but fell by the same result, 2-1.
More World Cup links:
- Advancing to the Round of 16 might have been good enough for the U.S. 20 years ago, but as the team continues to flourish, expectations are growing.
- Conceding early goals proved to be the Achiles heel of the American team throughout the tournament, and Brooks Peck of Yahoo.com thinks coach Bob Bradley is to blame.
- Dan Wetzel of Yahoo.com thought the U.S. story was much better than the team itself. After all, the Americans led for exactly three minutes across four World Cup games.
- Landon Donovan had a tournament for the ages, and admitted that he was brought to tears by a video montage showing reactions from around the world to his goal versus Algeria.
- In the early game, Uruguay defeated South Korea 2-1 after Luis Suarez struck one of the best goals in the tournament for the game-winner in the 80th minute.
- England takes on Germany in what ESPN.com is calling the "Big One."
- Also on Sunday, Argentina takes on Mexico and will be without defender Walter Samuel.
Pictures of day:
Landon Donovan couldn't be consoled after the U.S. lost to Ghana 2-1 in the World Cup. (AP Photo)
Former president Bill Clinton and Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger head for the exits after the U.S. loses to Ghana 2-1. (AP Photo)
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by e-mail at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
chosen1
Mon, Jun 28, 2010 : 11:51 a.m.
I always wondered the same thing about why they don't stop the clock when there's injuries. I do know that it is ridiculous to allow players to flop and dive and fake injury without any consequences to the players or teams. Argentina, Italy, Ghana, France have all been really bad at this in the World Cup this year.
81wolverine
Sun, Jun 27, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
It's too bad we couldn't pull this one out. But, I'm very proud of how the U.S. team did, and they seem to be gradually building toward being a world soccer contender. I don't know much about soccer rules, but I think that the way they let the clock run during injuries is absurd. This only encourages teams to do what Ghana did and basically "fake" injuries when they're ahead to burn time off the clock. I know the ref can add time back, but it becomes a discretion thing where he decides if it's warranted and how much time is put back on the clock. The absurdity showed in yesterday's game in the overtime (or whatever they call it) when a Ghana player was taken off the field in a stretcher. As soon as he gets off the field, he gets up off the stretcher and walks around fine! It seems to me most of this would stop if "injuries" automatically stop the clock until the other team is ready to resume play. I'd be happy to hear other perspectives on why the rules are set up this way from people who know more about soccer than I.