Ghana a long time nemesis for the USMNT are at the home of Nashville being hosted for the first time. Not exactly Germany, but facing stronger teams of late is a good sign as the US preps for the future.
The pressure gets the US the ball at the top of the arc but a strong tackle on Pulisic, they regain and Boulugun gets off a shot, easily covered up. Ghana beats a pair down the line, it goes to Pulisic, again fouled. Ghana in the early goings are handling the press of the USA. Each team as they get the ball does connect on many passes but get nowhere. US gets forward, lost and played out of touch but Ghana. Into the area Pulsic bodied off the ball and then he fouls in the area, not a hard foul but was called. Pulisic, again fouled and a delayed whistle. Reyna well positioned at 10’ sends home a blocked shot. Ghana right back at the US Robinson heads out a strong ball in. Reyna leads Puilisic, he sends it in with a pair on his team there but it does not get there. Dest to Balogun, his side kick is handled by the GK. Weah unable to run down a ball but gets upended anyway. Weah dropped for a PK at 18’. Pulisic seeking another as he takes the spot kick. The US captain goes down the middle as the GK goes far left. He had the lone goal for the US in CT v Germany. A 3rd and now a 2nd generation pro have scored for the US each with mothers also collage players. Balugon buries it with a spin move from Weah who created the turnover. A 22’ 3-0. Dest gets it back and Balogun goes way high. Dest beats 5, nutmegs one and of course gets fouled as he gets set to enter the Ghana half of the field. Weah sends it across the 6, nobody able to get to it and a US throw. Dest finds Balogun, it is right at the keeper. Another goal stopping save as Pulisic plays it right at the GK. The defender sits on the ball, literally and an IDFK from well in the area for the US. Short pass, passed, then deflected off the roof for #2 from Reyna. Kudus across the 6 with much power. Kudus with a blast it’s partially blocked but Turner makes the save, for a corner. Turner leads Pulisic who just plays it a bit too far ahead, costing him an assist.
Pepi, McKennie. Arronsen on for the US, Ghana has one change, Mensah is gone as all goal getters are gone. Dest sends the player spinning to the floor and is limping himself. Weah from McKennie, tries to pick a corner but just wide. The GK of Ghana is at the top of the area and then gets lucky as the US don’t communicate well and the worst of 3 to shot at the top of the box does so. McKennie with a showtime pass out, Dest carries it a good 20 yards, past numerous defenders, leaves McKennie, his shot is wide but not by a lot. Dest into the area, runs into 3, literally. Weah into a break is bodied off the ball. Maloney in Cardozo out for the USA.
The US did as they should have, win and handily. Happy with a true team victory and the blank sheet, but more than this will be needed when facing like last game, the big teams. The press worked here and was utilized to a large extent, but this is not a major or even a moral victory, it is simply as stated, expected.