The United States men’s national team beat Ghana in Nashville on Tuesday with a 4-star first half to leave the international break brimming with positive emotions and a 4-0 win at Geodis Park.
Giovanni Reyna scored twice, with Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic also finding the net to lead Gregg Berhalter’s men to a resounding bounce back from a 3-1 humbling by Germany.
[ MORE: USMNT in 2023 β schedule, results, more ]
Ghana, led by former Newcastle and Brighton boss Chris Hughton, were on the back foot almost from the opening whistle as Thomas Partey and Ghana’s midfield were outmaneuvered numerous times in the opening frame.
The defense allowed Ghana limited chances and Matt Turner made a terrific save when the Black Stars found their best threat. It was his only save on a night where he had to take only 20 touches.
There was no comeback for the visitors on Tuesday, days after the Yanks took a 1-0 lead over Germany through a Christian Pulisic golazo on Saturday in the biggest test since the 2022 World Cup, to be done second-half run en route to an impressive 3-1 loss in Connecticut.
Down in the dumps at Feel Good, Inc.
Germany’s defeat looms very deep in the rear-view mirror, a remarkable atmosphere considering the friendly would be the highest-profile opposition the Yanks will face until the Copa America.
But the first half in Nashville really, really flipped the script.
Reina and the Yanks showed style and substance against a Thomas Partey-led midfield and were rarely tested by the likes of Mohamed Quds, Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew.
Turning the page with a poor performance, or at least a half, is a welcome sight, and keeping a clean sheet without Tyler Adams is even better.
Well done to Berhalter and his boys.
What’s next?
The USMNT has a home-and-away CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal next month.
Ghana begin World Cup qualifying in November, hosting Madagascar on November 13 before heading to Comoros eight days later.
Final Score USMNT vs. Ghana: 4-0
Goals: Reina (10′, 39′), Pulisic (pen 19′), Balogun (22′)
USMNT vs Ghana Player Ratings
There were no passengers in the starting lineup, and Johnny Cardoso pitched a solid inning to give Berhalter things to look at over No. 1 backup Tyler Adams. This is still probably Luca de la Torre, but food for thought from Internacional man Johnny.
But Tuesday was all about Reyna, who was electric. Of course the two goals were great, but he also worked in a close quarters 1-2 with Weah that led to a penalty, and he completed 30-of-31 passes in his 45 minutes, sending seven balls into the final third.
Starting XI
Matt Turner: 7 β One save, but it was amazing.
Christopher Lund: 7
Chris Richards: 7
Miles Robinson: 7
Sergino Dest: 8.5 β Three chances, six duels won
Yunus Musah: 7
Johnny Cardoso: 8 β Seven fumbles, 94% passed
Christian Pulisic: 7.5 β Penalty goal, assist
Giovanni Reyna: 9 β 2 goals, 2 foul draws, 97% passes, 7 passes in the final third
Timothy Weah: 8.5
Folarin Balogun: 8 β 5 shots, goal
Subs
Ricardo Pepi: 6.5
Brendan Aaronson: 6.5
Weston McKennie: 7
Leonard Maloney: 6.5
Cameron Carter-Vickers: 6.5
Luca de la Torre: 6.5
Here’s how our friends on Fotmob.com saw it:
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Giovanni Reina goal video: The Dortmund star opens the scoring
Folarin Balogun shoots down the right side of the box and cuts a dangerous pass towards the six.
A Ghanaian defender gets in the way but can’t stop the pass going back to Giovanni Reina.
The Borussia Dortmund playmaker smashes home from eight yards and it’s 1-0 for the United States.
Christian Pulisic goal video: AC Milan man wins Weah’s penalty
Reyna and Timothy Weah work a 1-2 on the right edge of the 18, the latter being brought down by Ghana’s Gideon Mensah.
It’s an easy point to the spot and a quick finish to the penalty by the captain. 2-0 USA by Christian Pulisic.
Goal Folarin Balogun: Spin and shoot for 3-0
Christian Pulisic goal video: AC Milan man wins Weah’s penalty
Reyna and Timothy Weah work a 1-2 on the right edge of the 18, the latter being brought down by Ghana’s Gideon Mensah.
Giovanni Reina indirect kick video: Wow
Not many words do it justice, so here goes the video:
How to watch USMNT vs Ghana live streaming link start time
Kick off: 8:30 p.m. ET (Tuesday, Oct. 17)
TV channel in Spain: Universo, Telemundo
Stream link: Watch live online via Peacock Premium en Espanol
USMNT Focus: Lineup, Notes
Berhalter makes some changes after the loss to Germany.
We know that Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Sergino Dest and Matt Turner are key for most games and McKennie is the only member of that squad not to start against Ghana.
Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun retain their positions, as does Chris Richards. Christopher Lund takes over left-back duties, while Miles Robinson pairs with Richards at centre-back and Johnny Cardoso will be your defensive midfielder.
That means McKennie joins Luca de la Torre, Brenden Aaronson, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Ricardo Pepi among the players awaiting their turn. Alex Zendejas, Lennard Maloney, DeJuan Jones, Tim Ream, Joe Scally and Ethan Horvath are also waiting their turn.
Focus on Ghana: Synopsis, notes
Chris Hughton was a technical adviser for Ghana but was promoted to head coach in February. Saturday’s loss to Mexico was his first as Black Stars coach, following wins over Angola, Central African Republic and Liberia and draws against Angola and Madagascar.
This will be Ghana’s last chance to prepare for World Cup qualification, which begins next month with matches against Madagascar and Comoros.
Ghana have question marks in goal but plenty of proven talent in the rest of the squad, starting up front with Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams, Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
The midfield is led by Premier League stars Thomas Partey (Arsenal) and Mohamed Qudous (West Ham), while the full-back has a well-known name in Joseph Ido (Celta Vigo).
Ghana π¬π XI vs πΊπΈ USA
β’ Manaf Nurudeen starts ahead of heavily criticized Ati Zigi
β’ Looks like a front three of IΓ±aki Williams, Mohammed Kudus and Joseph Paintsil.
β’ Yunus Musah, originally from Ghana, starts for USMT. pic.twitter.com/7GA6eTICEG
β Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) October 17, 2023