Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says the Black Stars and USA, who meet in a friendly on Saturday, have developed an intense rivalry, having met in the last three World Cups. But he says he still doesn’t understand how Ghana lost to the USA, 2-1, in 2014 after winning in 2006 and 2010.
“We dominated possession and created chances and didn’t take them.”Then we made mistakes at the back in crucial moments too. Appiah told Kwese ESPN.
“I don’t think there are many people who think the USA isn’t a country to bother about much when it comes to football,” he adds.
The U.S. Men’s National Team will warmup for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup by taking on three-time FIFA World Cup foe Ghana on Saturday, July 1 in East Hartford and Appiah says his outfit will not underrate Bruce Arena’s side considering the stiff rivalry between the two countries.
“In 2006, that game was very close, then we needed extra time to settle the game in 2010, and in 2014 they beat us and effectively damaged our World Cup hopes, so there is always an extra edge to the game,” he says.
“I don’t think there are many people who think the USA isn’t a country to bother about much when it comes to football,” he adds.
“It will be easy to say this is just a friendly game but there is recent history between us so it won’t simply be just a friendly game,” he says.
“There is also a big Ghanaian community there so it adds an extra edge to the game, but as a coach I am clear in my mind about what I want from the game.
“It is an opportunity to continue to build a strong team, the chance to see a few new players and build momentum,” he concludes.
