The Ghana- US Game Approaches

For the US, tomorrow's game is do or die.

oh, and the Italians need to rock the Czech Republic so pray for a Prague Plague in addition to an American Assault on Ghana.

For Donovan, McBride, Keller, Onyewu and co. the Ghana game is the biggest of American soccer history. With a win, the Americans not only keep hope alive for advancement, but also prove that the Czech Massacre was an exception- not a rule.

For Landon Donovan, Ghana may be the last chance to prove himself in a country that has been anything over than hospitable. Donovan tried hsi hand at German soccer on two occasions, and was deemed a disappointment both times.

For McBride and Keller, the Ghana game may be a ride into the sunset. Both Veterans have been with the National team for what seems like eons. While anchoring the Stars & Stripes through thick and thin, the boys will unlikely return for another shot at the world in 2010.

McBride in particular, has a lot to prove. His voracious scoring has defined him the world over, and he looks to score tomorrow to maintain a record of three straight tournaments with a goal. McBride's pride may also need a big win, as the warhorse recovers from the cruel elbow of Italian defender de Rossi, and prepares to show the world what you get when you mess with an old bull.

Nevertheless, Ghana will not go quietly. They are coming off a huge win over Nedved and the Czech Republic, and favor their chances against a wounded American side. The country of Ghana has called on a half day so that Ghanians can watch the game. America has not followed similiar suit, though TV ratings will likely spike as American fans tune in from around the country to watch America's chances unfold in realtime.

I like America's chances. I think that the US will pull off a dirty, ugly 2-1 win over Ghana and that Italy will get the Czech's 1-0. But that is also wishful thinking. Things could just as easily switch the other way around, and the US could come out on the cold side of a match against Ghana, or the Czech's could take the Italians off the mark.

Fortuantely for the US, everyone is playing to win. Group E is the only group where NOTHING is certain and any team could go through. That means that Italy, Ghana, the Czech Republic and the US are all playing for keeps.

I cannot wait to see what happens.