So that’s how it ends. Ghana defeats the US 2-1 and in doing so knocks the US from the World Cup for the second time in a row. Just days ago, many Americans were caught in the wave of US soccer. The thrilling way the US continued to come back from overwhelming odds was a symbol of what America is all about. We persevere, we stand tall in the face of adversity, we never give up, and most of all we fight tooth and nail for what we believe in.

What seemed destined was just not meant to be. The US soccer team could not overcome conceding another early goal against the “Black Stars” from Ghana. Ghanaian midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng gave Ghana the lead in just the 5^th minute of play, putting the US in an early hole. Shortly thereafter  US midfielder Ricardo Clark picked up a yellow card in the 7^th minute, forcing US coach Bob Bradley to use one of his three substitutions to avoid going a man down had Clark incurred another infraction.  The rest of the first half Ghana controlled the ball as the US tried to regroup and come up with a strategy to break through to get the score back even.

The US came out attacking in the second half, much the same way they did against Algeria.  They were awarded a penalty kick in the 62^nd minute and once again, Captain America Landon Donovan took the hopes of a nation on his shoulders….. well his feet at least. Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Kingson guessed wrong and Donovan put the ball in the back of the net. The US had once again rallied back and drew even. I jumped off the couch, shouted a loud and long “GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLL” while my roommate sounded off his vuvuzela from his Droid. It looked like we were back from the brink and once again we were about to do the unthinkable.

The score remained tied 1 all through the end of regulation, so the game went into the additional 30 minute period. As improbable as it seemed the US was in position to advance to the semi-finals of the World Cup after fighting back from another early goal. But Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan would have none of it. He caught what seemed to be a harmless ball but the way the ball bounced it came right to him, allowing him to split the last two US defenders. Gyan was able to put a shot past US keeper Tim Howard, effectively ending any hopes of an incredible US comeback.

Ghana played very well and the win was well deserved. They took advantage of their scoring chances, something the US was not able to do.  Once they were ahead in the additional period they kept the ball from the US and ran the clock down for the win. Ghana is the sole surviving African nation so they will be taking the hopes of an entire continent with them as they go on to play Uruguay in the semi’s.

But the real story here is the US team and their rollercoaster ride through this World Cup. On almost every sports radio show I listened to this week, US soccer was the lead story. This team has put US soccer on the lips and most importantly in the hearts of Americans both home and abroad. I for one, hope this is the catalyst for a surge in soccer popularity in the US. It is already the national game for most of, if not all, of the rest of the world. I’m not saying soccer will one day usurp football (I’m optimistic not insane) but soccer is a beautiful game and we have witnessed how it can captivate a nation. But with baseball in full swing, NFL training camps about to begin, and the all or nothing “Lebron Sweepstakes” about to get underway it’s possible that soccer could be put on the backburner for another 2 years (2012 Summer Olympics in London). So just in case that happens, I want to thank the US soccer team for fascinating us all these past couple weeks. The artistry from players like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley was not wasted on me. It was a tremendous display of skill, effort, teamwork, and heart. Hold your heads high gentlemen, we salute you. Well Done!!!