US men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter knows his side will have to be at their best against Ghana after hailing the African side's 'world-class players.'
Berhalter's USMNT suffered defeat for the first time since he's returned to the touchline against Julian Nagelsmann's Germany 3-1, making a victory on Tuesday night crucial.
Despite the loss against the four-time World Cup winners, Berhalter maintains the belief that the game against Die Mannschaft was an excellent opportunity for his side to gain experience by going toe-to-toe against one of the world's best sides.
"We talked after the game against Germany about it being a great learning experience for us. And we sat in the locker room right there and processed the game. Got a lot of feedback from the players, gave them our feedback. But overall, really good learning against a top-class opponent," Berhalter said on Monday.
As the US conceded three unanswered goals to seal their demise Saturday night, Berhalter will also be specifically looking for his team to respond better on the defensive side of things.
"Our defensive shape needs to be absolutely rock solid. The execution of our movement and pressing has to be solid. And when it's not, they can exploit you...It's about seven players, eight players getting into position, having those good lines that are difficult to break through," he added.
Although Ghana may seem like an easier opponent for the US on paper when compared to Germany, they still are a top side in international soccer as they competed at the 2022 World Cup and have caused USA problems in the past.
Ghana famously kept the Stars and Stripes from advancing out of the group stage in the 2006 World Cup with a shock 2-1 triumph, but the US repaid the favor in the 2014 World Cup winning 2-1 in both teams' opening game.
"Ghana still has world-class players, is an experienced international team and played in the last World Cup. So for us, it's about how do we how do we take what we learned from Germany and apply it against Ghana?" Berhalter said.
"Specifically in possession, how are we taking good positions, have good structure in our offensive game?" he added. "And then defensively, doing the small things, getting our pressure right and our shape right, especially in the defensive third."
The US and Ghana clash on October 17 at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, to round out the international break for both nations.
This article was originally published on 90min as Gregg Berhalter hails Ghana ahead of 2014 World Cup rematch.
