USA 1 - Ghana 2

Posted on June 28, 2010

It was a fun ride while it lasted.

The U.S. Men's National Team made a gracious exit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ on Saturday after Ghana's Black Stars capitalized on two great chances at net.

The US penchant for giving up an early goal was present again. Only five minutes into the game, a turnover in midfield allowed Kevin Prince Boateng to run untouched and beat Tim Howard near post.

Giving up an early goal wasn't the only habit the Americans didn't break in this game; they also showed their resiliency by fighting hard to get back into the game. The Americans were the better team during the second half, which represented itself when they level the score in the sixty-second minute on a penalty kick by Landon Donovan.

Neither team was able to score during the rest of ninety-minute regulation and the game continued on into overtime. Unfortunately, Ghana capitalized quickly — just three minutes into the first overtime period — as Asamoah Gyan put a beauty past Tim Howard to make it 2-1, and give the Black Stars the win.

Despite the loss, this U.S. team is one that will still go down in the history books as the team that reinforced this nation's love of soccer. US v. Ghana was the highest watched men's World Cup game ever in the US.

In every corner of the country people gathered together to watch the Americans battle it out on the biggest stage. From Kansas City to Miami and Seattle to Houston, the United States showed the world again, that The Game is in US.

The U.S. Men's national team won't take the field again until August when it plays a friendly against Brazil in the New Meadowlands Stadium.

What bright spots did you take away from the U.S.'s run in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™?