U.S. Men's National Team vs. Ghana
International Friendly
Saturday, July 1 | 3:45 p.m. CT | ESPN, UniMas and UDN
Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field | East Hartford, Connecticut
After Michael Bradley’s jaw-dropping long range chip led the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 1-1 draw with Mexico at historic Estadio Azteca on June 11, head coach Bruce Arena and his squad will turn their attention to a Saturday afternoon friendly against Ghana in East Hartford, Connecticut.
These familiar World Cup foes will look to have another storybook meeting in their dramatic series. The match comes in preparation of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which begins next Friday, July 7. Three Sporting KC players will be along for the ride, as forward Dom Dwyer dons the U.S. uniform for the first time alongside veterans Matt Besler and Graham Zusi.
Anything But Friendly
The two squads have met in each of the last three World Cups, each resulting in a nail-biting 2-1 game.
Although Ghana has taken two of the three games, the 2014 match was one of the most memorable in recent United States World Cup history. The match started with Clint Dempsey slicing through the Ghana defense and putting the U.S. in front before the clock hit the first minute, marking the quickest goal in U.S. World Cup history. The Yankees held off Ghana for the majority of the game, until the Black Stars sucked the life out of the American crowd with an 82nd minute equalizer. Just four minutes after, a Zusi corner kick was headed in by John Brooks — who checked into the game for Besler — allowing the U.S. to steal a 2-1 win.
Dwyer Gets His Chance
After becoming a U.S. citizen just this past March, Dwyer has officially earned a spot on the U.S. Men’s National Team — a dream that he has had since he moved to the U.S. in 2009.
Dwyer joins Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution) and Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC) as the only forwards on the roster. Since he was taken by Sporting KC in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, Dwyer has consistently shown examples of offensive brilliance. After notching 16 goals in the 2016 MLS regular season, Dwyer became the first player in club history to reach 12 goals in three straight regular seasons.
In his 2017 campaign with Sporting KC, Dwyer has started 14 of 15 MLS matches, recording five goals and one assist, along with a goal in his only appearance in 2017 U.S. Open Cup action. Dwyer will join Sporting KC teammates and U.S. Men’s National Team regulars Zusi and Besler on Arena's roster.
Trending Upward
In 2017, the U.S. MNT has come out of its friendly matchups with a 1-0-2 record, defeating Jamaica while drawing with Serbia and Venezuela.
The American goalkeepers have been able to post clean sheets in three of four friendly matches. The Yanks also had a breakout offensive performance against Honduras in a World Cup qualifier in March, which featured a hat trick by Clint Dempsey, along with goals by Sebastian Lletget, Michael Bradley and Christian Pulisic.
Ghana’s Offensive Struggles
In its last seven international matches, Ghana has been shut out five times. The lack of offensive success has put the team in a precarious spot. If the Black Stars want to come out of their future World Cup qualifying matches (home and away against Congo) with six points, they need to find an answer to their goal-scoring drought.
One option to try and get on the scoresheet is David Accam. As the leading scorer for one of MLS’ most dangerous teams, the Chicago Fire forward looks to be the one capable of burning the U.S. Men’s National Team. Accam’s 10 goals are the third most in MLS this season, while his six assists are good for eighth. As the star player for one of MLS’ hottest teams, the speedy forward could prove to be a problem for the American defense and an answer for Ghana’s offense.
USA Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
DEFENDERS (8):Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest), Matt Miazga (Chelsea), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC)
Midfielders (9): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Kelyn Rowe (New England Revolution), Kenny Saief (Gent), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Forwards (3): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)
Ghana Roster
GOALKEEPERS: Addo Joseph (Aduana Stars), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)
DEFENDERS: Lumor Agbenyenu (Munich 1860), Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew SC), Jerry Akaminko (Eskiserhispor), John Boye (Sivasspor), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC), Nicholas Opoku (Berekum Chelsea), Samuel Sarfo (Liberty), Rashid Sumalia (Al Gharafa)
MIDFIELDERS: Mohammed Abu (Columbus Crew SC), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht), Thomas Agyepong (NAC Breda), Winful Cobbinah (Hearts of Oak), Ofori Ebenezer (Stuttgart), Gershon Koffie (New England Revolution), Kwadwo Poku (Miami FC), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor)
FORWARDS: David Accam (Chicago Fire), Raphael Dwamena (FC Zurich), Asamoah Gyan (Al Alhi), Majeed Abdul Waris (Lorient FC)
