Christian Atsu, Michael Essien and Ghana Fall to the USA 2-1
By Connor Tomko
Jun 16, 2014; Natal, BRAZIL; USA midfielder Jermaine Jones (13) controls the ball against Ghana midfielder Michael Essien (5) in the second half during the 2014 World Cup at Estadio das Dunas. USA defeated Ghana 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Chelsea FC’s Christian Atsu and former midfielder Michael Essien suffered a heart breaking defeat to the USA in Ghana’s opening match of the World Cup.
Ghana found themselves trailing as soon as the game started when Clint Dempsey put the Americans ahead after only 31 seconds.
From that point on, Atsu, who spent the previous season on loan at Dutch side Vitesse, was highly influential for Ghana, giving USA’s left-back DaMarcus Beasley problems all night. He had two curling-efforts that went just wide, and his offensive display was a treat to Chelsea fans who might not have seen him in action at Vitesse. Atsu was substituted for Albert Adomah in the 78′ minute.
Former blue Michael Essien appeared in the match when he was subbed on in the 71′ minute but didn’t really make that much of an impact in the match given his limited time out on the pitch.
Ghana had a great opportunity to salvage a point from the match when Andre Ayew leveled the match in the 82′ minute but USA’s John Brooks would head home a Graham Zusi corner only 4 minutes later to restore the American lead.
Ghana had a majority of the possession and chances but were largely wasteful in the attacking-third. This was great opportunity for them to have a chance to make it out of the group had they gotten the draw, but with zero points and their next match against Germany their hopes of advancing look slim.
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