Dwyer scores on his debut as U.S MNT beat Ghana

By El-Amisty Nobo| Follow Amisty on twitter @ElAmistyNobo

Dom Dwyer kicked off his international footballing career in spectacular fashion on Saturday, July 01, 2017 as his 19th minute goal opened the floodgate for the U.S Men’s National Team 2-1 victory over the Black Stars of Ghana at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium [Rentschler Field], USA.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup campaigners [USMNT] pressed the accelerator down right from the blast of the referees whistle forcing the Black Stars to commit lots of defensive errors in the vital area.

The first real opportunity of the game came in the 14th minute, but Sporting Kansas City striker [Dom Dwyer] could not make the best meal out of the golden opportunity that came his way as Black Stars goalie [Richard Ofori] saved his effort with ease.

Dwyer, who became an American citizen just three months ago caught the lenses of the cameras again a moment later when ghosted through the Black Stars defensive backline to meet Kelyn Rowe’s pass into the box but Ghana’s central pair; John Boye and Jerry Akaminko checked him out.

Coach Bruce Arena’s side took the lead in the 19th minute through the new American [Dom Dwyer] having been put through by Joe Corona’s shot which hit Villafaña on its way.

The Attack was initiated with a pressure play from left back, Jorge Villafaña who raced down his line with speed, taking on few Ghanaian players before setting it up for Club Tijuana midfielder [Joe Corona] to take a shot at goal.

His shot banked off Villafaña who continued his run into the goal area. With the ball popping up in the air and with Dwyer completely unmarked, the Sporting Kansas City attacker had a yard of space to volley it home to become the 48th player to score on his debut for the USMNT and celebrated with a great double-flip to the delight of the 28,494 spectators at the stadium.

The Black Stars could have gone down numerically in the 24th minute when Richard Ofori sprinted off his and out of the box to challenge Dom Dwyer [Playing as if the USMNT was playing in the final match of next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia] going in with studs up in the air but was fortunate to receive only yellow for his offence.

Ghana barely threatened Brad Guzan in post for the USMNT in the entire first half until the final minute when referee Ishmael pointed to the spot after Frank Acheampong had been brought down in the box by Jorge Villafaña.

But wait a minute Asamoah Gyan, who had sworn thunder and earth not to ever take a regulation time penalty kick for the Black Stars has just elected himself to carry the burden on his shoulders only for his low effort to be saved by Brad Guzan.

The USMNT was on the scoring sheet again in the 52nd minute but this time from FC Dallas’ regular free kick taker – Kellyn Acosta who hit a superb one from outside the box which caught goalkeeper Richard flat-footed.

Asamoah Gyan reciprocated with an astonishing 30-yard free kick in the 60th minute which the USMNT goalie – Brad Guzan had no solution to. Gyan’s hour mark goal may have little effect for the Black Stars but that was his 51st goal for Ghana.

Richard Ofori had to stretch wide in the 85th minute to save substitute Alejandro Bedoya’s header after Jordan Morris broke down from the left to swing in a cross into the box.

The victory means that the USMNT remains unbeaten in eight matches since Bruce Arena returned as head coach.

Line-ups:

USA – Brad Guzan [capt], Jorge Villafaña, Matt Besler, Kelyn Rowe, Joe Corona, Dax McCarty, Dom Dwyer, Graham Zusi, Paul Arriola, Matt Hedges, Kellyn Acosta.

GHA – Richard Ofori, Asamoah Gyan [capt], Mohammed Abu, 7-David Accam, Ebenezer Ofori, Raphael Dwamena, Jerry Akaminko, Rashid Sumalia, Lumor Agbenyenu, John Boye, Frank Acheampong.

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