U.S. Soccer Team Knocked Out of The World Cup
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Nuremberg, Germany (Sports Network) - A penalty kick in extra time in the first half proved the deciding factor, as Ghana managed a 2-1 victory on Thursday, just enough to eliminate the U.S. from a spot in the Round of 16.
For Ghana, a place in the next round awaits, as the team needed a victory to secure life beyond the group stages. With the win, Ghana finishes the group stages in the second spot behind Italy.
Facing a 1-1 score headed into the half, Stephen Appiah drilled a penalty kick just below the crossbar and in to take a 2-1 lead over the U.S. seconds before the close of the half. The penalty kick was awarded after U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu was called for a foul on Razak Pimpong inside of the box.
With two shots on goal a piece by the end of the half, the U.S. battled for control entering the second half, but struggled to find any scoring opportunities.
For the U.S., the team has struggled when trailing at the half, with a 2-16-2 record.
The U.S. found one more shot on goal before the end of the match, but failed to score the equalizer or the game-winner, leading to an early trip home from the World Cup.
In Thursday afternoon`s other match, Italy handed the Czech Republic a 2-0 loss, securing its spot in the Round of 16 and the top spot in Group E. If the U.S. had managed a win over Ghana, a spot in the next round would have been secured, as the team needed the Italians to win their match.
(Copyright 2005 by The Sports Network)
