U.S. must find net

HAMBURG, Germany – If goals were easy to come by at the highest level, soccer just might be a game Homer Simpson would appreciate.

In a classic episode of “The Simpsons,” a send-up of American stereotypes, Homer and the family go to an international soccer match, billed as: “It’s all here – fast-kicking, low-scoring and ties? You bet!”

This week, even U.S. coach Bruce Arena poked fun at his team’s lack of scoring in the World Cup. Two games, one goal scored by an Italian defender, one U.S. shot on goal.

D’oh!

When asked how an Italy tie or loss to Czech Republic might affect his strategy against Ghana on Thursday – if that scenario occurs the United States would have to win by four or more goals to advance to the second round – Arena said, “And then what do I do? I call in the goal-scoring machine?”

Kidding aside, the United States must find the back of the net if it hopes to advance to the second round. Part of the scoring drought can be attributed to competing in the most difficult group in the tournament. The group is the only one that hasn’t had a team eliminated or qualify for the second round. The goalkeepers the U.S. team has faced – Czech Republic’s Petr Cech and Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon – are considered among the world’s best.

“When the shooter looks at the goal and sees those goalies in there, their dimensions and angles, you tend to be a little bit more precise instead of just hitting the frame. And what we need to do in Game 3 is get some shots on goal and test the keeper,” Arena said.

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson, who plays professionally in Turkey, has played well but is not in the same class as Cech and Buffon. Forward Brian McBride, the second-leading scorer in U.S. history, said scoring may be hard, but the formula is simple: Get the right opportunity, strike the ball well and have a bit of luck.

“We need to be smart and take our chances going forward, and when the opportunity comes, take it,” said McBride, who has scored in the previous two World Cups.

Focus on Essien

Ghana may have lost to yellow-card suspensions the two players who scored in its victory against Czech Republic, but it will still have its most vital player on the field Thursday when it faces the United States in the final match of Group E.

Midfielder Michael Essien carries Ghana’s hopes of advancing through the opening round in its first World Cup appearance.

The 23-year-old was named man of the match in the Ghanaians’ 2-0 victory against the Czechs and has Arena’s attention.

“Essien is among the top players in the world,” Arena said. “We can’t just let him do anything he wants to do over 90 minutes or else we’ll lose the game.”

Essien has been a force almost since he broke in with Ghana’s under-12 team. He began his international career in France, living out of his agent’s Monaco apartment as teams bid for his talents. He helped Lyon to two league titles and the European Champions League quarterfinals and was named France’s player of the year in 2005.

That led Essien to Chelsea in England’s Premier League, which paid a $43 million transfer fee, making him the most valuable player in African soccer history. McBride said the United States has to defend together and put pressure on Essien by double- and triple-teaming him. “The only thing that will neutralize him is us keeping the ball,” he said.

Ghana has lost striker Asamoah Gyan and midfielder Sulley Muntari to disqualification, which could change Essien’s responsibilities.

“They play him in two roles,” Arena said. “Against Italy he played closer to the front runners in more of an attacking position. Against the Czech Republic he played deeper in the midfield and was magnificent.

“I sense they’ll play him in the same role (vs. the U.S.) as they did against the Czech Republic because that’s been their best game. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

Tempo is uncertain

Arena said the United States won’t know until the match actually unfolds what pace will be most to his team’s advantage, so the Americans are preparing for a variety of speeds.

“Sometimes we’ll need to make the game fast and sometimes slow,” he said. “One thing we don’t want to do is have foot races with Ghana for 90 minutes and have every play depend on foot speed. If that’s the case, we’re going to lose a lot of those races.”

Because of Ghana’s quickness, fleet Eddie Johnson could be an attractive starting option up front. But Arena’s comments in a Tuesday media conference dampened that a bit.

“You need to see how the game develops,” Arena said. “Ghana is kind of similar (to Czech Republic) in that their back line will drop a little more. Therefore (Johnson’s) strength is not going to be as obvious. Those are the factors in terms of substitutions.”