For all the emphasis on formations, tactics and philosophy since Juergen Klinsmann became United States coach, Monday’s 2-1 win over Ghana was earned by the traditional American soccer virtues of hard work, discipline and fighting spirit.
Forget the ‘midfield diamond’, it was sweat, bruises and guts that ended the U.S’s jinx with Ghana, who had eliminated them from the last two World Cups. Plenty went wrong - the Americans lost two key players to injuries, had Clint Dempsey playing with a broken and bloodied nose and conceded an equaliser with eight minutes to go.
But four minutes later, defender John Brooks, forced into action after Matt Besler limped off at halftime, headed in the winner from a corner and German coach Klinsmann’s side hung on for the three points.
With Portugal and Germany next in a tough Group D, those three points were essential to any hope of progressing to the last 16 and it showed as the Americans celebrated wildly at the end.
The fulltime whistle had blown with the indefatigable Jermaine Jones charging alone with the ball into Ghana’s half and the German-born midfielder symbolised the entire display.
Jones won countless midfield challenges, in the air and on the ground, and covered every corner of the field with his defensive pressing and forward support.
Jozy Altidore, the only orthodox target-man forward in the U.S. squad was carried off on a stretcher with a hamstring injury in the 23rd minute with Aron Johannsson thrust into the attack.
