[Vision2020] STROPS - ETADPU PUC DLROW

[David Williams]

Thats "SPORTS" spelled backwards (hehehe).  Can you figure out the rest??

Well, the US Men's 2006 quest for the first ever American World Cup 
Championship has officially ended in defeat and failure.  Following a 
spirited draw with Italy, the Americans lost 2-1 against the Ghana Black 
Stars in a game in which it was "too little, too late" for the Yanks.  The 
US appeared to control the game midway through the first half, until an 
uncharacteristic blunder by Captain Claudio Reyna in the defensive third 
gave Ghana a 1 on 1 against keeper Kasey Keller, who was beaten at the far 
post.  Again put on their heels by allowing their opponent to score first, 
the US reacted differently than in the past with a goal from Clint Dempsey.  
DaMarcus Beasley stole a pass from a Ghana defender, drove down the left 
side, and placed a perfect cross in front of a streaking Demspey 12yds. out, 
and he did not miss.  Momentum appeared to be in favor of the Americans, who 
looked to go into halftime tied at one apiece. But a flop by a Ghana striker 
in the US, 18 after tangling with center back Oguchi Onyewu, gave the Black 
Stars a free kick from 6yds.  The score at the half?? 2-1, advantage to 
Ghana.

The 2nd half opened with a lack of energy or urgency from the Americans.  A 
few chances were created (Brian McBride rattled the near post with a close 
header, he also slipped on the turf following an easy rebound from the Ghana 
keeper), but overall the US playmakers were not up to the task.  A number of 
free kicks and placement passes were not taken well by Landon Donovan.  
Final score??  Ghana 2, US 1, and Ghana advances to the round of 16 with 
Italy from Group E, who defeated C. Republic 2-0.  Ghana will most likely 
face Brazil.