{"id":111434,"date":"2023-10-17T10:06:38","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T10:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/10\/17\/friendly-clash-ghana-v-usa-preview\/"},"modified":"2023-10-17T10:06:38","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T10:06:38","slug":"friendly-clash-ghana-v-usa-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/10\/17\/friendly-clash-ghana-v-usa-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Friendly clash: Ghana v USA preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Black
Black Stars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Black Stars of Ghana will wrap up its October international friendly games against the United States of America on Wednesday dawn, October 18.<\/p>\n

The West African country suffered a 2-0 defeat against Mexico in the first international friendly at the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday dawn.<\/p>\n

The defeat means Chris Hughton has recorded his first defeat as the head coach of the Black Stars.<\/p>\n

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Under his guidance, Ghana has been slow out of the gate, scoring only one first-half goal since the former Newcastle United and Brighton boss took charge.<\/p>\n

Before their defeat versus Mexico, the Black Stars had come back to claim a win or draw in their two previous matches in which they had conceded first while winning their last four contests after netting in the opening half.<\/p>\n

However, on Wednesday, Hughton and his charges will have an opportunity to correct their wrongs when they face the USA at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee.<\/p>\n

The Black Stars will be without defender Joseph Aidoo who suffered a knee injury against Mexico.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the USA also lost 3-1 to\u00a0Germany\u2019s national football team at Rentschler Field.<\/p>\n

Both teams will now look to return to winning ways ahead of competitive action next month. USA play in the CONCACAF Nations League.<\/p>\n

Ghana next month begin 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar (Nov. 13) and Comoros (Nov. 21) before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast next year.<\/p>\n

Players to Watch<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christian Pulisic\u00a0(USA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the last fixture against Germany, Christian Pulisic gave his side an early lead in the 27-minute. By the hour mark Germany was cruising with a 3-1 score and that also happened to be the final score. Pulisic will remain a key player against Ghana as well. The\u00a0AC Milan\u00a0winger has 4 goals and an assist in 8\u00a0Serie A\u00a0appearances this season. In the summer, Pulisic parted ways with\u00a0Chelsea FC, a team has has played for since 2019.<\/p>\n

Mohammed Kudus (Ghana)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 23-year-old was seen moving cities in the summer. Mohammed Kudus left the Dutch side\u00a0AFC Ajax\u00a0to join\u00a0West Ham United\u00a0in London, England. The attacking midfielder has made 5 appearances amounting to a total of 71 minutes in the\u00a0Premier League\u00a0for The Hammers and still has a goal to his name. In the September international break, Kudus popped a goal each in two fixtures for the Ghana national team.<\/p>\n

Match Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • Since 2006, both have met four times. It has been an even contest as USA and Ghana have shared the spoils with 2 wins each<\/li>\n
  • As per FIFA Men\u2019s Ranking, USA side is ranked 11th, just a spot behind\u00a0Spain\u00a0while Ghana is at 60th worldwide<\/li>\n
  • In the last game, Ghana failed to register a single shot on target versus Mexico national football team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Predicted Lineup<\/strong><\/p>\n

    USA\u00a0predicted lineup (4-3-3):<\/p>\n

    Turner (GK); Scally, Richards, Ream, Dest; McKennie, Musah, Reyna; Weah, Balogun, Pulisic<\/p>\n

    Ghana predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):<\/p>\n

    Ati-Zigi (GK); Schindler, J. Opoku, N. Opoku, Mensah,\u00a0Ambrosius, Partey,\u00a0Owusu, Kudus, Paintsil, Williams<\/p>\n

    When?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Wednesday, 18 October 2023 at 1:30 AM UK Time (6:00 AM IST)<\/p>\n

    Where?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Geodis Park,\u00a0Nashville, Tennessee<\/p>\n

    Form<\/strong><\/p>\n

    USA (in all competitions): L-W-W-L-W<\/p>\n

    Ghana (in all competitions): L-W-W-D-D<\/p>\n

    Prediction<\/strong><\/p>\n

    USA 2-0 Ghana<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n