Ghana shocked the soccer world on Tuesday morning in Jordan.
A gritty, determined group toppled USA 2-1 on the second day of Group D play at the 2016 U17 World Cup in Jordan. It was a major upset from the competition, and the first loss for team USA under B.J. Snow since they started playing together in 2014. It was a 19-game unbeaten run prior to Tuesday.
The upset was far from a lucky result. Ghana was the dominant team through large stretches of the game, which is perhaps more surprising than the result. Ghanian winger Adizatu Mustapha was named the FIFA Player of the Game afterward. USA goalkeeper Laurel Ivory was perhaps the only rival for that award on the day.
The USA was caught off guard, and did not respond well. An early goal helped ease some nerves for Snow’s group, but they never looked comfortable in the game. Ghana’s aggressive style threw the team into a turbulent 90 minutes, which left the USA with only three points from the first two games of group play at the 2016 U17 World Cup.
Frankie Tagliaferri scored the opening goal in the fifth minute off an assist from Civana Kuhlmann. It was Tagliaferri’s second goal of the tournament.
After the goal, the USA never found a way into their style of play. Ghana was physical and eliminated the midfielders from the fixture. The USA struggled to combat Ghana’s style of play and the youngsters from Africa only gained in confidence with each passing moment. USA went into the half with the lead on the scoreboard and in possession, but Ghana had more chances on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half started with Ghana in complete control of the game. By the 60th minute, Ghana had 16 shots compared to three from the USA. It was lopsided, but not in the favor that many were expecting before the start of the clash.
Ghana broke through in the 63rd minute when Gifty Acheampong headed home a cross from Mustapha. USA tried to bounce back immediately on a movement that ended with Ashley Sanchez smashing the ball off the crossbar, but the ball somehow failed to cross the goal line in the eyes of the referees.
Ghana grabbed the game-winner in the 84th minute when Sandra Owusu-Ansah converted a kick from the spot after a hand ball in the 18-yard box resulted in a penalty kick.
The defeat drops USA into a quagmire in Group D. With Ghana and USA on three points, USA likely needs to defeat Japan on Saturday in the final day of group play in order to advance to the knockout round.
Where did it all go wrong for USA? Take a look at what the video says from the shocking loss to Ghana.
