WC - Round of 16, USA vs Ghana (Sat 2:30 ET, ABC)

[BB73]

Starting on Saturday in the round of 16, there are no more draws.

After two 45-minute halves, teams will now play two 15-minute overtime periods. It's NOT sudden-death (i.e., there is no 'golden goal'), so after a score in OT a team must hold the lead until the end of the second OT. If a game is still tied after that, a shootout takes place; with each team alternately taking 5 penalty kicks (PKs) from the 12-yard spot in the box against the goalkeeper. If it's still tied after 5 rounds of PKs, then each round of PKs is sudden-death after that, until one team scores in a round and the other team doesn't.

 

[Jake]

These nations have only met once on the pitch. Ghana won in group play in WC 2006, 2-1. Payback is a bitch.

 

[OHSportsFan]

Can't underestimate the amount of support Ghana will receive on Saturday. Playing for a continent.

Not to mention they are a damn good and talented side. It will be tough, but let the American ride continue. Lineups will be interesting, to say the least.

 

[Bucklion]

These nations have only met once on the pitch. Ghana won in group play in WC 2006, 2-1. Payback is a bitch.

We owe them something awful...time to cash it in.

 

[Jake]

Ghana has yet to score a goal on the attack in this tourney. They only have 2 goals in 3 games, both on PKs. Gotta make them work for whatever they get.

 

[AKAK]

Ghana has yet to score a goal on the attack in this tourney. They only have 2 goals in 3 games, both on PKs. Gotta make them work for whatever they get.

I guarantee the US machine will be pointing out how badly we've been screwed by the refs and that Ghana is a bunch of dive artists.

(Not saying the second part is actually true... but... you get the idea)

 

[scott91575]

Can't underestimate the amount of support Ghana will receive on Saturday. Playing for a continent.

What does it matter? It will still be the same stupid droning of Vuvuzelas for the entire game.

 

[BB73]

Bump for tomorrow.

 

[Taosman]

Let down game?

 

[Meyer]

Let down game?

Why would it be?

 

[BigWoof31]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCqZsFM7Sg8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCqZsFM7Sg8[/ame]

 

[Oh8ch]

It's the World Cup. It comes every 4 years.

If you can have a let down game in the knock round don't let the door catch you in the ass.

 

[jwinslow]

Why would it be?

Because that's Taos' schtick to use about 6-10 times per year.

 

[Bucklion]

Let down game?

Are you fucking insane? You realize we've made the quarters of this exactly once since we finished 3rd...in 1930. No such thing as a letdown game for US soccer in the freaking World Cup.

 

[DaBears]

Really hoping the US can flip the script and get an early goal tomorrow. If the US scores early or takes a lead, I can see Ghana getting tight and breaking down. I'm prepared for another anxious/tense/nervous game and I'm ready for some overdue payback.