BROOKS HITS GAME-WINNER FOR USA

In 2006 Ghana eliminated the US from the world cup, in 2010 Ghana eliminated the US but in 2014 Brasil it was the Star’s and Stripes who got the last laugh. Clint Dempsy started it off for USA with the 5th fastest goal in world cup history, 29 seconds into the game when he split to Ghana defenders and bounced it off the post in for a goal, but from then on it was all Ghana, the Black Stars got attack after attack after attack, and it was no surprise that in the 82nd minute Ghana would hit an equaliser, but just 4 minutes later John Brooks rose over the defense hit a header on goal and scored. “‘I couldn’t believe it. …I just ran in the box and hoped that the ball would hit my head and it did,” said Brooks

At the full time whistle coach Jurgen Klinsmann threw his arms in the air and smiled. “The U.S. team always has great spirit,” Klinsmann said. “I said it to the bench minutes before we’re going to get some chances still. So we are still in the game after the equalizer, we just need to kind of push and push and grind it out. That’s what they did. Here comes a set piece we trained over and over and over that stuff. And (Brooks) puts it in, so well deserved.”

It wasn’t all great news for the Stars and Stripes as key player Jozy Altidore left the game due to strained left hamstring injury in the 21st minute. Clint Dempsy also took a knee to the nose. “I was coughing up blood a little bit. Hopefully I’ll be able to breathe through my nose again before the next game,” Dempsey said.