The United States were reminded of their place by Germany over the weekend, and will now look to salvage the October international window with a friendly against Ghana in Nashville on Tuesday.
A 3-1 defeat exposed a number of issues in the USMNT approach, and they succumbed to a host of individual errors that compounded the difference in quality. Yet there were still positives to be garnered, and the skill levels displayed were emblematic of a team that is gaining in stature and closer yet to earning a place amongst the world's best.
While there were some encouraging takeaways from the Germany defeat, the USMNT now must prove they can implement those lessons against a less imposing opponent as they meet Ghana, who were beaten 2-0 by Mexico on Saturday.
A confident victory would put many of the struggles against Germany behind them and show they can still assert themselves against inferior opposition, but a draw or defeat would raise bigger questions about their capabilities with the 2024 Copa America closing fast. A negative result for the U.S. would be compounded by their chief rivals Mexico achieving a comprehensive victory against this very opponent just days prior, and comparisons between the two would be inevitable.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along as the USMNT takes on Ghana in Nashville
USA vs Ghana match facts
- Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023
- Kickoff Time: 7:37 p.m. local (8:37 p.m. ET / 5:37 p.m. PT)
- Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Official: Marco Antonio Ortíz Nava (MEX)
- Last meeting: USA 2-1 Ghana (July 1, 2017 | Friendly)
MORE: The Sporting News speaks exclusively to Cameron Carter-Vickers about his desire for pressure
USA vs Ghana prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: USA (-145)
- Score prediction: USA 3-0 Ghana
The United States are clear favorites in this match, despite their defeat to Germany last time out. They managed to stick with the European power for 45 minutes, and while it slipped away after halftime, there were still positives to take from the match, including the attacking quality shown throughout.
Ghana, who failed to register a single shot on target against Mexico in a 2-0 defeat over the weekend, don't possess nearly the same skill as Germany, and the U.S. should manage to assert its dominance across the game.
| USA win | Draw | Ghana win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | -160 | +275 | +425 | +100 / -140 | -105 / -135 |
MORE: Recap the U.S. defeat to Germany in Hartford on Saturday as Europeans assert dominance
USA vs Ghana best bet
- Pick: USA over 1.5 goals
- Odds: -120 (BetMGM)
The United States failed to match Germany's skill throughout the match, but they still managed to push forward and create multiple chances on goal in what was a very open game.
Gregg Berhalter will surely look to keep a better lid on this match and prevent it from igniting into a track meet, but the U.S. showed they have final-third quality against even top international opponents. With Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna all proving dangerous against Germany, plus an obvious intention to get Folarin Balogun involved more, the U.S. can be expected to bring the heat.
MORE: Player ratings for USMNT defeat to Germany as defensive mistakes prove decisive
USA vs Ghana prop bet
- Pick: Half with most goals — 1H
- Odds: +210 (BetMGM)
Under Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. has shown a desire to get out in front early and manage games with a lead, rather than reaching halftime with the match in check before opening up the attack.
In international friendlies, games can get bogged down once substitutions start to flow, thus limiting the time with which to push for a goal while the game is less choppy. This was the case for the U.S. against Germany, as the match slowed slightly after the hour mark. Additionally, Gio Reyna will be expected to start for the U.S. like he did against Germany, with his withdrawal likely either at halftime or early second half.
Ghana kept Mexico scoreless through the first half, but there were still chances before the break. Berhalter will hope to put the struggles against Germany to bed early and allow the match to progress while holding a scoreline advantage.
USA vs Ghana prop bet
- Pick: Christian Pulisic anytime goal scorer
- Odds: +200 (BetMGM)
While the USMNT make a point of trying to get Folarin Balogun more involved in the attack, little doubt remains about which attacking player is both in the best form and of greatest importance to the forward line.
Christian Pulisic's glittering goal against Germany reminded fans of his exquisite quality, and of the various ways he is capable of putting the ball in the net. He's in great form, with a goal in each of his last three games for both club and country — two for AC Milan plus the strike against Germany.
Additionally, Ghana managed to hold Mexico striker Raul Jimenez to just two shots, none on target, a few days ago, but were punished by a pair of wide players in "Chucky" Lozano and Uriel Antuna. Their weaknesses lie out on the touchlines.
USA vs Ghana live stream, TV channel
- Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023
- Time: 8:37 p.m. ET / 5:37 p.m. PT
- TV channel (English): TNT
- Streaming (English): Fubo, HBO Max
- TV channel (Spanish): Universo
- Streaming (Spanish): Fubo, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo NOW
The United States national team friendly against Ghana will be broadcast in English on TNT, with streaming available on HBO Max.
It will also be broadcast in Spanish on Universo, which is available to stream on Peacock, or Universo's streaming services.
Both English-language and Spanish-language broadcasts are available to stream on Fubo for those without a subscription to the aforementioned premium streaming services.
