The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) and Ghana's Black Stars have a history marked by intense competition, especially in World Cup tournaments. Their encounters have produced memorable moments, showcasing dramatic wins and heartbreaking losses for both sides.
In its first-ever game at Geodis Park, the USMNT thrashed Ghana, 4-0, Tuesday night in a friendly to cap off its second international window of the 2026 cycle under coach Gregg Berhalter. The USMNT improved its all-time record in Nashville to 5-2-2 and won its third straight game against frequent World Cup foe Ghana, which it lost to in 2006 and 2010 and beat in 2014.
Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee
Key Takeaways from the USMNT's Recent Win
Here are takeaways from the USMNT's win:
- Folarin Balogun is a difference-maker at striker: Ever since Balogun, who was eligible to represent the United States, England or Nigeria, committed to the USMNT in May, he's shown flashes of being its missing piece; a true No. 9 that could tie the rest of the attack together. Tuesday featured plenty of those flashes.
- Gregg Berhalter continues midfield experiments: Without Adams, whose tackling and coverage ahead of the back four make him one of the USMNT's most important players, Berhalter has tried to tinker the midfield.
A Dominant Performance in Nashville
The Stars and Stripes made trouble for Ghana early and often and truly dominated the first half. A first half brace from Gio Reyna to go with goals from Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic effectively sealed the match for the home side.
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At the half, Pulisic, Reyna, and Balogun made way for Ricardo Pepi, Brenden Aaronson, and Weston McKennie. The line change didn’t quite find the same success as the starters and the attack stalled in the second 45. Berhalter made more changes as Johnny came off for Lennard Maloney a bit past the hour mark and then would bring in Cameron Carter-Vickers for Chris Richards 10 minutes later. Yunus Musah and Luca de la Torre would also swap with 15 minutes to go.
First Half Goals
The USA got off to a fast start with Gio Reyna entering his blonde era in style for the national team.
This is exactly the kind of goal the team wants to score. Dest carries the ball forward and has two options wide. He dishes to Balogun who sends a cross toward Pulisic that is deflected into the path of Reyna for the goal.
The second score of the night would come off of a penalty. This was no doubt a penalty as the defender hacks down Tim Weah with an awkward challenge in the box.
Pulisic converted the kick from the spot.
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The third goal showed why Folarin Balogun just needs to be fed the ball often in the box. He can make the space, just pass him the ball.
The USA went up 4-0 on an indirect free kick awarded inside the Ghana 18.
Historical Encounters
Having met four times in their history, the series is perfectly split with each side collecting two wins with matching 2-1 score lines. Remarkably, three of the four meetings have taken place in World Cups, with Ghana getting the edge in the 2006 and 2010 while the USA snatched the opening group game in 2014 in Brazil.
The USA first met Ghana in group play at the 2006 World Cup in Nuremberg, Germany. The two nations met again at the 2010 World Cup, this time in the Round of 16 and just two days after Landon Donovan’s iconic stoppage time goal against Algeria. For the third time in four games, the USMNT gave up the first goal. A penalty in the 62nd minute allowed Landon Donovan to tie the game, 1-1, from the spot. In extra time, Asamoah Gyan scored the eventual game winner off a pass from André Ayew.
In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the USA and Ghana met in the first game of play in Group G. Clint Dempsey scored the opening goal just 29 seconds into the match, and in the process became the first American to score at three World Cups. Dempsey’s goal is the fastest USMNT goal in World Cup history and the fifth fastest goal ever in the competition. André Ayew scored a game-tying goal in the 82nd minute, but second-half substitute John Brooks buried a Graham Zusi corner in the 86th minute to give the USMNT the lead.
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Clint Dempsey scored the opening goal against Ghana in the 2014 World Cup just 29 seconds into the match.
The sides most recent meeting was a 2017 friendly at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. Most recently, first-time goal scorers Kellyn Acosta and Dom Dwyer along with a penalty save by goalkeeper Brad Guzan lifted the USA to a 2-1 win on July 1, 2017, in Hartford - the same venue of the upcoming Germany game.
Looking Ahead
As the USMNT continues to build towards the 2026 World Cup, the USMNT faces a Ghana team that has qualified for four of the last five world championships.
Just three days prior the USA will play four-time World Cup champion Germany on Oct. 14 in East Harford, Conn.
The USMNT has compiled a 4-2-2 record in Music City across multiple competitions.
Table: USA vs Ghana Head-to-Head Record
| Year | Competition | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | World Cup Group Stage | Ghana 2 - 1 USA | Nuremberg, Germany |
| 2010 | World Cup Round of 16 | Ghana 2 - 1 USA (AET) | South Africa |
| 2014 | World Cup Group Stage | USA 2 - 1 Ghana | Brazil |
| 2017 | Friendly | USA 2 - 1 Ghana | Hartford, USA |
| 2023 | Friendly | USA 4 - 0 Ghana | Nashville, USA |
🇺🇸 Clint Dempsey | FIFA World Cup Goals
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