After an earlier-than-normal practice at Giants Stadium, the New York Red Bulls sat around flat-screen televisions in the locker room and players' lounge and intently watched the U.S.-Ghana World Cup game over eggs, sausages, bagels and of course, some nice cold Red Bulls.
Finding any seat they could among chairs, sofas and even training room tables, the mood was obviously tense as the U.S. needed a win coupled with a Czech Republic loss to Italy to advance into the second round.
But, 22 minutes into the first half, Haminu Draman took advantage of a U.S. mistake and opened the scoring for Ghana. The situation brightened however, when Italy took a 1-0 lead on the Czechs, opening the window for the U.S. and giving the Red Bulls - some of whom were wearing U.S. apparel in support - hope for a possible comeback.
"They came out relatively well early on but obviously [U.S. midfielder] Claudio [Reyna] giving away the ball [for the goal] takes the wind out of your sails a little bit," said Red Bulls goalkeeper Mike Behonick.
Despite the departure of Reyna through injury, the U.S. stormed back with a Clint Dempsey piledriver that tied the game at 1-1. Inside the Red Bulls' trainer's room, players, including former U.S. internationals Tony Meola and Chris Henderson, screamed and cheered.
However, the mood changed just a few minutes later when a controversial foul was called on the U.S. in their box and Stephen Appiah subsequently converted from the penalty spot to give Ghana the lead going into the intermission.
"I don't think it's a penalty kick at all. It was a poor call by the referee and it definitely changed the game," Behonick said. "Instead of going 1-1 into halftime, [the goal] takes your wind out of your sails some more."
The U.S. pressed for an equalizer and eventually brought in forward Eddie Johnson to provide a spark, but the Americans could not break through, as the game finished 2-1 to eliminate the U.S.
