Death of a Dream: USA Soccer Booted From World Cup

The United States national soccer team reached into its bag of miracles, which had moved them out of the group stage in the 2010 World Cup, but could not find another brilliant moment. Ghana defeated the U.S., 2-1, on Saturday at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in South Africa.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley had only simple words to describe the loss.

“A stinging, tough defeat,” Bradley said. “We knew Ghana was a good team and we didn’t get the job done.”

After allowing yet another early goal to its opponent, the United States tied the game when Landon Donovan, the hero who scored against Algeria to put the United States into the Round of 16, scored on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute.

The game went into extra time with the teams tied 1-1, but Asamoah Gyan made sure the tie did not hold for too long by scoring three minutes into the first extra period. The U.S. tried to find the equalizer, but the goal never came.

“Soccer can be a cruel game,” Donovan said. “Sometimes you’re at the top and sometimes you are at the bottom of the mountain.”

Saturday’s loss brought nothing but painful déjà vu for the American team and its fans. In the 2006 World Cup, Ghana defeated the United States, 2-1, in Nuremburg, Germany, a loss that prevented the U.S. from advancing to the Round of 16.

The match in 2006 was the first meeting between the two nations. Ghana won the second meeting on Saturday, which ended the United States’ run in the World Cup.

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