Ghana upped the tempo and equalised when Andre Ayew latched on to Asamoah Gyan's backheel to fire in a leveller.
Clint Dempsey put USA ahead on 29 seconds with the fifth-fastest aim in World Cup history, cutting inside John Boye before sweeping home.
USA looked worn out but Brooks nodded in from six yards following a late corner to give his side a winning start.
Centre-back Brooks reacted with a mix of disbelief and delight, the Germany-born 21-year-old marking his World Cup debut and fifth cap in style.
They had appeared to be tiring, as well as a winner appeared unlikely as Ghana dominated the second half and pulled themselves level.
The victory also gave USA a measure of revenge for being knocked out of the past World Cups by Ghana.
Ghana exited the World Cup years ago in tears, when Gyan's missed penalty in the eleventh hour of extra-time against Uruguay denied them the chance to become the first African side to reach the semi-finals.
But their tenacity was rewarded to leave the Black Stars precariously placed, with both teams now having to face Germany and Portugal.
But they fell behind within the first minute. Dempsey collected a Jermaine Jones pass on the left wing, cut inside right-back Boye and shot in to the far corner.
In the event that they were still nursing that pain, they did not show it as they sung and danced their way in to the dressing room at the Estadio das Dunas.
Indeed, Jurgen Klinsmann's side could, and perhaps ought to, have extended their lead. Striker Jozy Altidore controlled a low, right-wing cross but his shot from ten yards was blocked by Boye.
Ghana struggled to mount a response as the USA consolidated their lead with a work-rate and organisation that kept their rivals at bay.
That was Altidore's last major act of the game, a hamstring injury seeing him replaced by Aron Johannsson.
USA centre-back Matt Besler also left the field injured, and his exit, combined with Ghana increasing the pace of their play, resulted in the Black Stars piling the pressure on Tim Howard's aim.
Clint Dempsey put USA ahead on 29 seconds with the fifth-fastest aim in World Cup history, cutting inside John Boye before sweeping home.
USA looked worn out but Brooks nodded in from six yards following a late corner to give his side a winning start.
Centre-back Brooks reacted with a mix of disbelief and delight, the Germany-born 21-year-old marking his World Cup debut and fifth cap in style.
They had appeared to be tiring, as well as a winner appeared unlikely as Ghana dominated the second half and pulled themselves level.
The victory also gave USA a measure of revenge for being knocked out of the past World Cups by Ghana.
Ghana exited the World Cup years ago in tears, when Gyan's missed penalty in the eleventh hour of extra-time against Uruguay denied them the chance to become the first African side to reach the semi-finals.
But their tenacity was rewarded to leave the Black Stars precariously placed, with both teams now having to face Germany and Portugal.
But they fell behind within the first minute. Dempsey collected a Jermaine Jones pass on the left wing, cut inside right-back Boye and shot in to the far corner.
In the event that they were still nursing that pain, they did not show it as they sung and danced their way in to the dressing room at the Estadio das Dunas.
Indeed, Jurgen Klinsmann's side could, and perhaps ought to, have extended their lead. Striker Jozy Altidore controlled a low, right-wing cross but his shot from ten yards was blocked by Boye.
Ghana struggled to mount a response as the USA consolidated their lead with a work-rate and organisation that kept their rivals at bay.
That was Altidore's last major act of the game, a hamstring injury seeing him replaced by Aron Johannsson.
USA centre-back Matt Besler also left the field injured, and his exit, combined with Ghana increasing the pace of their play, resulted in the Black Stars piling the pressure on Tim Howard's aim.
0 comments:
Post a Comment