Consider This: 5 Things to Watch for in USA vs. Ghana

6/16/2014

Team USA kicks off their 2014 World Cup bid against the West African nation of Ghana Monday at 6 PM. While neither teams are favored to challenge for the Cup, this should make for an exciting match. Here's why:

5. New Kids on the Block

Ghana never participated in a World Cup until 2006, but they have never failed to advance from the Group Stage. Their all-time World Cup record is 4-3-2. This is the 10th World Cup for the US team, they have failed to advance from Group play four times, most recently in 2006. The US Men's National Team has an all-time record of 7-17-5.

4. Recent History

Team USA has faced Ghana in the last two World Cups, both 2-1 losses.

3. Short Term Memory

The most recent of those losses was an extra time heart-breaker in the first knockout round of the 2010 World Cup.

2. All-Time Great

If Ghana's Asamoah Gyan scores twice in Brazil he will surpass Roger Milla (Cameroon) to become the top African World Cup goalscorer with six goals. Gyan scored the clincher in their 2010 pairing.

1. Death Pool

Sharing the pool with Germany and Portugal means that a loss Monday would likely lead to a Group Stage elimination