USA vs. Ghana 2010 World Cup Preview

Preview

The USA take on Ghana later today for a place in the quarter finals.

Three minutes away from elimination, Landan Donovan's injury time goal took the USA to the top of their group and into the next round.

By qualifying top, the USA have avoided Germany in the last 16 and potentially Argentina the quarter final.

Instead, they've earned themselves a rematch from the 2006 World Cup, and a chance at revenge for the 2-1 loss four years ago.

Ghana held their own in Group D with a win over Serbia, a draw with Australia, and only lost to Germany courtesy of a stunning strike from Mesut Ozil.

Ghana come into the fixture as underdogs but will be hoping to pull off an upset, as they did in the last World Cup.

Team News

USA

Robbie Findley is available again after completing a one-match suspension.

Herculez Gomez came in for Findley but Edson Buddle provides an alternative option as well, so Bob Bradley has plenty of options up front.

Defender Oguchi Onyewu could be brought back in at the expense of Jonathan Bornstein who came in for the Algeria match.

One game from suspension: Cherundolo, DeMerit, Altidore, Beasley.

Line Up

                            Howard
Cherundolo  Onyewu  DeMerit  Bocanegra 
Dempsey     Clark     Bradley     Donovan 
                      Findley         Altidore

Ghana

Ghana defender Isaac Vorsah could well still be out with a hamstring problem. This means that Jonathan Mensah will maintain his place along side John Mensah. 

Contrary to reports, Sulley Muntari hasn't been sent home, although he did start on the bench against Germany.

If Muntari remains on the bench, Rajevac could name an unchanged team from the Germany match.

One game from suspension: Ayew, Vorsah, Tagoe, Johnathan Mensah, Addy, Annan.

Line Up

                    Kingston
Paintsil  Mensah  Mensah  Sarpei 
Boateng          Annan         Ayew 
        Tagoe                     Asamoah
                       Gyan

Stats

USA

The USA kept their first clean sheet in 13 matches last time out against Algeria.

A win would give the USA their first consecutive wins at the World Cup since 1930.

Ghana

Ghana's last five wins have been 1-0 victories.

Their last three World Cup goals have been penalties.