Ugh. That US game was crushing. Great analysis from ZM. All those missed opportunities before and after Donovan's goal gave me a sense of impending doom at the time. You watch hoping they score, but not expecting it. There's a definitive lack of a finishing touch on anyone not named Donovan or Dempsey. Meanwhile, watching Germany in transition yesterday you expect them to score even before they get to the 18 yard box.

Speaking of, the refs have ruined this tourney. Games now are a determined more by who gets screwed less that day. There's no equivalent in some other sport. Maybe in football if a field goal went through the uprights, bounced on the ground behind and ricochet'd back over the goal post with the ref then calling it no good.

Great post, Brian, and those photos are awesome, too.

"Few would argue that Ghana has a better team" except for that part where they scored more goals than the US, played better and were a better team.

I laugh out loud at Graham's comment!

@Graham, Perhaps I've been too invested in the USA team as I really did believe heading into the match that they had a better squad than Ghana. "Had" being the operative word. Ghana played excellently and thoroughly controlled the midfield in the first half. Bradley's halftime substitutions made a big difference for the second half and the US played better but it was not enough.

Ghana clearly won, and deservedly so, but I still believe a US victory was for the taking and the opportunity to move further in the tournament than ever before was lost. Oh well.