<p>Here’s an article that offers insight into Jozy Altidore’s contribution to the team. [Jozy</a> Altidore brings new dimension to US World Cup attack - World Cup News - FOX Sports on MSN](<a href=“MLS News, Scores, & Standings | FOX Sports”>MLS News, Scores, & Standings | FOX Sports)</p>
<p>^ Sums it up pretty nicely!</p>
<p>The United States fell a bit short. They also did not have much luck throughout this championship. Although Ghana deserves the win because they did score on their best chances, the Altidore could have easily scored on his breakaway. In fact, that is what makes soccer such an exciting game.</p>
<p>One thing to consider is that the United States did not lose to a poor team. Ghana has a deep reservoir of talented young players and has done well in many youth tournaments. In fact, Ghana IS the world champion U20 as they beat Brazil last fall:</p>
<p>Ten-man Ghana triumphed at the Under-20 World Cup with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Brazil.</p>
<p>[BBC</a> SPORT | Football | African | Ghana triumphant at U20 World Cup](<a href=“http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8311196.stm]BBC”>BBC SPORT | Football | African | Ghana triumphant at U20 World Cup)</p>
<p>Fwiw, in 1999 Landon Donovan as a member of the U17 US team lost to Ghana at the WC U-17 in New Zealand by 2-0 for the the third place. Ghana barely lost to Brazil on PKs. The United States lost to Australia in the other semi-final. </p>
<p>It is no accident that Ghana does have a solid team. On the other hand, the United States will have a really tough time to replace the Donovan generation, and especially in the attack. I do not think that any of the strikers who played for the US in this World Cup would be playing for another team that competed in this WC or even make the squad. Altidore might develop but it is highly doubtful that he would ever become more than a decent forward. The other strikers are simply not very good.</p>
<p>Did I call it or what ?
:)</p>
<p>Xiggi,I like your analysis.</p>
<p>I think the US team is going to have problems going forward. Donavan and Dempsey are going go be too old in 4 years. And most great players are pretty damn good at 20 so I think Altidore is going to be ok…but not super. Other teams are going to have better forwards than Altidore.</p>
<p>And then like you said…there is nobody else.</p>
<p>Also the defenders are not quite there either. The US team doesn’t have a John Terry.</p>
<p>I think this is going to be the USA’s best showing in a world cup for awhile.</p>
<p>But it was fun to watch.</p>
<p>From the news link posted above,
</p>
<p>If I was a striker, I certainly would not want to be a scoreless striker in 4 games with the most yellow card drawn. I would gladly trade all the yellow card drawn for even 1 goal.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That is how I see it too. Compare his play to the attackers that scored the Ghana goals, Altidore doesn’t have the anticipation and acceleration.</p>
<p>No getting away from the fact that Ghana was fierce!</p>
<p>Now, should I wake up at 7am tomorrow to watch England and Germany. And which team should I cheer for :)</p>
<p>Germany of course! Of course, that’s just me. As a fan of France, whenever they are out, I support Germany.</p>
<p>xiggi and dstark, I disagree with you about Donovan and Dempsey. At 28 and 27 respectively, those two players should be able to play in the next World Cup. Granted they will be past their prime, but many football players are very effective at 32.</p>
<p>Well…we won’t know for four years…or less. :)</p>
<p>I’m rooting for England…but what I am really rooting for is a great game.</p>
<p>I want to root for England but they haven’t played well so I’m not sure if they deserve to be in quarter finals.</p>
<p>I’ll always root for England over Germany.</p>
<p>The U.S. team was clearly outplayed by Ghana and the calls for Bradley’s head started shortly after the end of the game. I have to say that I was unimpressed with Altidore’s play, particularly in yesterday’s game.</p>
<p>I sgree with BusyMei about Altidore’s lack of anticipation. I guess that’s what surprised me most; he always seemed to be caught flat-footed.</p>
<p>Also curious about something else: How is team captain chosen? I’m wondering why Bocanegra and not Donovan (besides the fact that Bocanegra is incredibly hawt).</p>
<p>What a screw up…damn it.</p>
<p>I feel sorry for Lampard. The guy. Can’t get a break in a world cup.</p>
<p>Changes the whole game.</p>
<p>I admit to not being a deep student of the game of soccer. It’s too frustrating to watch a game that so often consists almost entirely of failure. Failure to complete a pass, failure to get a shot off, failure to hit the goal, and failure to even score at all. But it seemed to me that the big advantage that Ghana had over the US team was they were faster. They consistently beat the US players to the ball.</p>
<p>Now that the US team is out we will witness over the next month the public interest in soccer recede back to minor-sport status. Every four years there are bold predictions that all this focus on the US World Cup team will finally convince US public that soccer is not as boring as they thought and it will take its rightful place in the major sports pantheon. Never happens.</p>
<p>My own favorite minor sport, track and field, has the same problem. Every four years the we true-believers are convinced that the buzz generated by the US team in the Olympics will catapult track to the top. But as soon as the Olympic flame is doused track goes right back to the results page fine print. Right next to soccer.</p>
<p>Germany vs England is a great game. Despite the linesman.</p>
<p>Americans should enjoy watching great players, the country they play for shouldn’t matter.</p>
<p>What a devastating counter-attack Germany has. I have never seen a German side so highly skilled…</p>
<p>The “immigrants” era of Germany football has arrived.</p>