Black Stars to renew USA rivalry in October friendly
The United States Soccer Federation is finalizing plans for their men’s national team to renew their rivalry with familiar World Cup foes Ghana on October 11 in Washington DC.
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The friendly slated for the RFK Stadium would come four days after another exhibition for Jurgen Klinsmann’s US team, who take on Cuba in Havana on October 7.
Ghana and the United States have faced off in each of the last three World Cups. The Black Stars beat the Americans in both squads’ final group match at Germany 2006, a loss that prevented the US from moving on to the second round.
Ghana again eliminated the Yanks four years later in South Africa, this time with a 2-1, extra-time victory in the round of 16.
The US exacted a measure of revenge the last meeting between the sides, however, when second-half substitute John Brooks’ memorable late winner sealed all three points in the first round opener in 2014 in Brazil. That victory helped the Americans advance to the knockout stage, where they were knocked out by Belgium.
John Brooks’ goal gave the US a win over Ghana at the 2014 World Cup.
“We’re working on a second October game,” US Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe confirmed to ESPNFC.com on Monday. “But nothing has been finalized yet.”
The two countries have never met outside of World Cup play. There were negotiations to have the teams play in a friendly last year before those plans fell though.
Ghana is ranked 36th in the world, according to FIFA. The Black Stars kick off the third round of regional qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia against Uganda on October 3.
The US ranked number 25, finished fourth at the Copa America Centenario in June and resumes its own qualifying on September 3 at St. Vincent and the Grenadines.