NASHVILLE, TN – The Black Stars of Ghana have been handed a humiliating 4-0 thrashing by the United States of America on Wednesday morning in an international friendly.
Ghana after losing to Mexico 2-0 had hoped for a much-improved performance in their second game in the US against the Yanks.
But it got off to a shocking start for the men’s senior national side as they conceded three goals after twenty-five minutes of the encounter.
Giovanni Reyna began the annihilation with his strike in the 10th minute after Nicholas Opoku’s clearance dropped to his path in the box.
The Americans continued with their well-organized approach in midfield and opened their guests up consistently and they won a penalty in the proces.
Timothy Weah was fouled by Gideon Mensah in the 19th minute, skipper Christian Pulisic stepped forward and extended the Yanks lead.
Still shaky, the Black Stars, still wobbly in midfield and in attack, Inaki Williams looked lost on the desert.
Not the Bilbao star alone, star man Mohammed Kudus looked out of colour in the early stages despite head coach Hughton stating his side’s readiness for a reaction against the US.
It was rather the US who gave a firm response after their 3-1 defeat to Germany and Ghana were at the receiving end of the slaps and knocks.
It continued in the 22nd minute. Timothy Weah pressed debutant Jerome Opoku and as the Ghanaian defender lost possession, a quick pass was made to Folarin Balogun who got USA’s third of the game.
USA lead Ghana 4-0 after 39 mins.
Herrr what's this?
Most of these players will be on the bench for long papapapapapa#BlackStars
— Dennis Ivan Opoku 🇬🇭🔥🔥 (@ivanopokugh) October 18, 2023
Up next, Giovanni Reyna, again. A brace for the young attacker, which capped off a good start for the Yanks even before half-time.
The Borussia Dortmund player scored after a well-worked free-kick in the 40th minute.
You voted Gio Reyna YOUR Man of the Match! 👏 pic.twitter.com/zypPDpGzAp
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023
Half time
4-0 at half-time as Ghana had only a shot on target from Kudus to show for their offensive output.
The Black Stars coach Chris Hughton replaced Gideon Mensah with Kingsley Schindler to play the right-back position while movng Alidu Seidu to the left full-back role.
Ghana’s game did improve per their own standards in the first half but they failed to get a consolation.
Substitutions were made in the 64th minute as Elisha Owusu came on for Joseph Paintsil and Abful Samed Salis replaced Thomas Partey.
Hughton was interested in bagging at least a goal and made offensive changes in the 75th minute.
Ernest Nuamah for Kudus and Antoine Semenyo substituted Inaki Williams but the encounter ended 4-0 for the hosts.
Ghana will now switch their focus to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November.
Check out the goals from the 4-0 defeat:
FOUR GOALS TO CLOSE THE WINDOW ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/dQHz5uUcCB
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 18, 2023
