The United States was at an even score with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Captain and its players looking toward the shoot outs in South Africa. Indeed, twenty six minutes after Ghanan futbol players had accomplished scoring a goal in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg....
Ok so this wasn't really a surprise... nor a second pearl harbor. I've said it from the start the US really needs some solid defensive players. We are most solid in the midfield but especially after a tiring second half of regulation time, our passes were sloppy and we couldn't possess the ball. The tragedy is that Landon Donovan may be too old to play in the next world cup. Today's loss was a heartbreaking defeat, but as previously stated, it wasn't a surprise per se. The entire nation (that watches soccer) had allowed themselves to hope and after the number of upsets [the defending champions and runner ups were sent home in disgrace without qualifying for the round of sixteen] I know that at least I allowed myself to believe that perhaps this could be the year that the US could possibly do better than third place (the only time the US has ever placed at the World Cup was way back in 1930, there was no official game to decide third place, but the US was recognized as third due to performance).
Being eliminated back to back by Ghana has shocked the US soccer environment but perhaps with success in the next world cup the American soccer community can finally achieve some level of respect and expansion in the US. I hope that a new set of icons can rise in the next few years to lead us to something great.
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