The bad news is that Eddie Pope has just been sent off (second yellow). It was justified; he came in hard on Alberto Gilardino from the back.

Now, the good news is that in the first game, Ghana smoked the Czechs. Even better are the fact that they have a lot of cards to deal with and will be missing some key players. If the USA can hold on to this draw tonight - or, even better, eke out the deserved win (based on first half play) - Ghana will be without Muntari and Gyan (cards) for the must-win finale.

Some of the best play in the first half came from Bobby Convey, who has looked devastating on the left flank against a muddled set of defenders including Cristian Zaccardo and Gianluca Zambrotta.

Even better has been the gutsy, physical play of Oguchi Onyewu to set a tone and Landon Donovan's resurgence up top as a leader and playmaker. Gooch has to be careful that his play doesn't get him x'ed out of the park, however, as he has tangled with the Italian runners as well.