| Page 2 of 3 < > |
U.S. Team Heads Home After Loss to Ghana
"We knew when the draw came in December ... it was going to be real difficult," Arena said. "There wasn't a whole lot of room for error, so there were too many errors to position our team to advance."
This defeat was that much more galling because despite frequent sloppy play, the United States would have advanced with a win thanks to Italy's 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in a game played simultaneously.
  Ghana's Razak Pimpong kicks ball away from USA's Oguchi Onyewu, right, during the USA vs Ghana World Cup Group E soccer match at the Franken Stadium in Nuremberg, Germany, Thursday, June 22, 2006. Other teams in Group E are Italy and Czech Republic. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (Jorge Saenz - AP)   Zinedine Zidane could face disciplinary action Thursday for his head butt on Marco Materazzi. Brazil Coach Alberto Parreira quits following a disappointing World Cup. Zidane apologizes for his head butt during the final, saying he was provoked by insults about his mother and sister. Italian soccer power Juventus is one of three teams demoted from Serie A to Serie B following a match-fixing scandal. Juergen Klinsmann resigns as Germany's coach after leading his native country to a third-place finish. France cheers on Zinedine Zidane but still wonders what provoked his head-butt. The 2006 World Cup had too many red cards and stoppages in play. Championship could help boost Italy's economy. Italian fans enjoy their country's World Cup title. The World Cup final television ratings are the best since 1994. Italy wins its fourth World Cup title, beating France 5-3 in only the second final decided by a shootout. After 31 days and 64 matches, the championship of the world's most popular sports event came down to one moment. Italian goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon finishes the World Cup not having allowed a goal from the other team in the run of play. MULTIMEDIAPost's Jon DeNunzio and Jason La Canfora review the championship game. XM Satellite Radio's Dave Johnson calls of the key moments in Italy's win. U.S. REPORT After eight years at the helm, Bruce Arena, pictured, will not be back as coach of the U.S. soccer team. Video: The challenges facing soccer in the United States and ways to improve its national standing. U.S. Soccer Federation president, Sunil Gulati, defends Coach Bruce Arena. Arena draws the ire of the MLS. Arena weighs his next move. Though a commercial success at home, the U.S. team's performance in Germany is a disappointment. The Americans are eliminated after a 2-1 loss to Ghana. » Match Report WORLD CUP JOURNAL The road has reached Germany, and Post staffers continue to keep you updated with the latest tidbits. Save & Share |
Saving options
After the final whistle, Arena waved an arm at the officials in disgust and stalked off the field. Instead of congratulating Ghana's coach in plain view, he did it outside the dressing rooms.
Early in the tournament, Arena called out his players for their lackluster play. After the Ghana game, he called out German referee Markus Merk.
The referee whistled 32 fouls against Ghana and 16 against the U.S., but only one really mattered.
"I think we'd all agree it wasn't a good call," Arena said of the penalty. "We had control of the game and we go in at halftime down a goal. But those things happen, and they happen a lot to our team."
It happened in first-half injury time, just after a rare flash of offense had let the Americans tie it 1-1.
Defender Oguchi Onyewu, the tallest U.S. player at 6-foot-4, was jostling with 5-8 Razak Pimpong for a header at the edge of the penalty area. Pimpong fell. Convinced the contact was slight, U.S. players angrily argued the awarding of a penalty kick by one of the world's top-rated officials.
On the shot, Keller dived to his left. Ghana captain Stephen Appiah booted the ball high to the goalkeeper's right.
Haminu Draman first put the Black Stars ahead in the 22nd minute. Colliding knee to knee with Reyna, Draman stole the ball and then beat Keller on the breakaway.
Reyna was carried off the field on a stretcher, a knee ligament sprained, though he did return briefly before being replaced near the end of the first half.
Clint Dempsey tied it in the 43rd minute with a 10-yard volley off a cross from DaMarcus Beasley. But Dempsey's funky dance and the American joy that followed was short lived, crushed by the penalty.