Hilariously short free kick among USMNT's four first-half goals vs. Ghana
The U.S. men's national team defeated Ghana, 4-0, on Tuesday night in an international friendly at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
It was the bounce-back performance the team needed after a humbling defeat against Germany on Saturday. The USMNT matched its highest victory margin against an Africa opponent, which was set against South Africa in 2000 at Washington's RFK Stadium.
The USMNT scored three goals in a matter of 12 minutes in the first half. They added a fourth before halftime in a bizarre sequence that resulted in an indirect free kick inside the 18-yard box.
Gio Reyna, who had been at the center of controversy in the aftermath of the 2022 World Cup, scored two of those goals, including the entertaining indirect free kick. Reyna's first game back with the USMNT since the World Cup family feud was Saturday, when he started against Germany.
Here is a look at Tuesday night's highlights:
USMNT 4, Ghana 0: Gio Reyna scores on indirect free kick
Well, this is a goal you don't see every day.
Already trailing 3-0 to the USMNT, Ghana faced another potential goal-scoring situation when defender Nicholas Opoku attempted to thwart the chance by basically sitting on the ball. That didn't work, as the referee awarded an indirect free kick to the U.S. inside the 18-yard box. Gio Reyna poked the ball to Christian Pulisic, who tapped it back, and Reyna booted the ball over a line of Ghana players and into the back of the net.
USMNT 3, Ghana 0: Rout is on after Folarin Balogun goal
Tim Weah was active in this one. After having set up a penalty kick goal for Christian Pulisic, Weah helped create the third goal. With the U.S. pressing, Jerome Opoku failed to control a pass on a flank. Weah picked up the ball and centered to Balogun, who spun as he took a touch and scored from the middle of the penalty area for his third goal in six USMNT appearances.
USMNT 2, Ghana 0: Christian Pulisic buries penalty kick
Three days after scoring a golazo against Germany, Pulisic added another goal to his ever-growing tally. Pulisic — who ranks sixth all-time among USMNT goal-scorers — scored his 28th national team goal and is just two goals behind Brian McBride for fifth on the all-time list.
Gideon Mensah's foul on Tim Weah in the 18-yard box set up Pulisic's penalty kick.
USMNT 1, Ghana 0: Gio Reyna gets goal-scoring barrage going
It didn't take long for the U.S. to light up the scoreboard. Sergiño Dest dribbled toward goal and passed wide to Folarin Balogun, whose cross bounced off defender Nicholas Opoku. Gio Reyna was there to take the deflection and one-timed a right-foot shot from about 12 yards out. It was Reyna's first USMNT goal since June 2021.