World Cup Recap: USA vs Ghana

What an exciting match for the Red, White, and Blue. It was definitely a game that had a lot of emotion to it, but thankfully the USA was able to claim the crucial three points thanks to a great start and finish to the match.

Clint Dempsey set a USA World Cup record by scoring after just 34 seconds thanks to some great individual skill and some suspect defending.

After that it was a fairly even match as both teams had chances but neither could score. However, everything changed after just 21 minutes as USA striker Jozy Altidore went down with what looked like a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Aron Jóhannsson.

A few minutes of strange refereeing from Sweden's Jonas Eriksson culminated in Clint Dempsey taking a knee to the face from John Boye and what looks like a broken nose.

Ghana continued to ramp up the pressure as the half came to an end and US centerback Matt Besler appeared to injure his hamstring as well. As the second half started, Besler was replaced by 21 year-old John Brooks. Ghana dominated the second half as the US tried to defend its lead. Asamoah Gyan led the way, creating a number of chances, but not being able to finish any of them. The US looked like they were going to be able to hold on for the 1-0 win but Andre Ayew leveled the game after a fantastic backheel pass from Gyan.

My heart, along with those of millions of American's was broken. These injuries had finally come back to punish the Yanks. However, Ghana's goal sparked some fight in the US and they were able to win a goal. Then this happened.

The youngster, who many "experts" said was too young to contribute snatched an unbelievably important three points for the Stars and Stripes. Ghana staged an attempt at an equalizer but came up just short.

Takeaways:

Man of the Match: Clint Dempsey

Dempsey started the US off on the right foot with the sixth fastest goal in World Cup history. He also soldiered on after receiving a pretty nasty blow to the face. Dempsey linked play well with the midfield all night and held up the ball when necessary. If the USA is going to be able to cope with the loss of Altidore, Dempsey will be key.

The US was able to defend well after being under attack for much of the match. When they finally conceded, they didn't deflate. They bounced back when it mattered most to pick up a win.

Fabian Johnson and DeMarcus Johnson looked dangerous going forward but nervous at times in defense. They'll have to improve going forward.

The USA will have to be better in possession in their next too matches. They gave the ball away too much and they'll have to make changes. 

Asamoah Gyan looked like Ghana's most dangerous player, creating chances all night. Kevin-Prince Boateng came on after an hour and looked threatening. Had Boateng started, the story could have gone different for Ghana tonight.

Up next:

Ghana will take on Germany June 21 at 3 pm EST

The USA face off against Portugal June 22 at 6 pm EST.

If Germany and the USA both win, they'll be through to the knockout stage.