USA vs Ghana lineups, starting 11 and latest team news for USMNT October friendly in Nashville
After humbling defeats for both sides which reminded them of the work left to reach their goals, the United States and Ghana meet with a chance to salvage the October international break.
The USMNT was out-classed by Germany on Saturday, going in front early on a brilliant Christian Pulisic goal but succumbing to numerous defensive mistakes under siege by the world-class squad at new boss Julian Nagelsmann’s disposal.
Ghana, meanwhile, were put to the sword in a 2-0 defeat to Mexico, able to reach halftime with the match scoreless but ultimately falling short as they failed to produce a single shot on target.
Below are the projected lineups for both teams based on the latest news leading up to the match.
MORE: Recap the U.S. defeat to Germany in Hartford on Saturday as Europeans assert dominance
USA vs Ghana lineups, team news
Both teams have called in strong, first-choice squads for this international break despite the two sides both only contesting friendlies.
The absence of Tyler Adams was a clear issue for Gregg Berhalter against Germany, and he will look to find ways to increase the defensive proficiency of the U.S. midfield moving forward to keep the opponent from exploiting space between those deployed.
Ghana are led by former Norwich City and Brighton manager Chris Hughton, elevated to the position after serving as a technical advisor through most of the 2022 calendar year. He is looking to lead them back to greater relevance, as they were eliminated in the group stage of both the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 World Cup.
Below are the projected starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
MORE: Player ratings for USMNT defeat to Germany as defensive mistakes prove decisive
USA projected starting 11 vs Ghana
USA projected starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Turner (GK) — Scally, Carter-Vickers, Richards, Dest — McKennie, Musah, Reyna — Weah, Balogun, Pulisic.
- Out: Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson
- Limited: Gio Reyna, Cameron Carter-Vickers
Gio Reyna will likely start again as he did against Germany, but don’t be surprised to see him come off at halftime again, with Gregg Berhalter looking to send the young playmaker back to Borussia Dortmund in top fitness.
It’s plausible that Berhalter will deploy Ethan Horvath in goal over first-choice starter Matt Turner, as Horvath needs minutes while he rides the bench behind Turner at Nottingham Forest.
After coming off the bench against Germany, Cameron Carter-Vickers could be a candidate to start as he works his way back from a hamstring injury that delayed the start of his season. Lennard Maloney was unlucky not to see the field against Germany as the U.S. midfield was scattered, and he could get minutes in this match as Gregg Berhalter gives him a chance to impress.
Ghana projected starting 11 vs USA
Ghana projected starting lineup (4-3-1-2, right to left): Ati-Zigi (GK) — Schindler, Aidoo, Opoku, Mensah — Ambrosious, Partey, Owusu — Kudus — I. Williams, Semenyo.
The two most influential players in the Ghana lineup are both based at Premier League clubs: Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey and West Ham playmaker Mohammed Kudus. Both started against Mexico, and unless head coach Chris Hughton wishes to give them rest, they should start here as well.
While today’s Ghana roster doesn’t quite feel as star-studded as it has been in years past, there is still a collection of players at ‘Big Five’ clubs. Captain Jordan Ayew is no longer an everyday option as younger talent comes through, but the 32-year-old Crystal Palace winger can still cause problems for opposing back lines. His brother Andre Ayew was not called in as he continues to search for a club, and neither was Jordan’s club teammate Jeffrey Schlupp.
29-year-old domestic-based goalkeeper Richard Ofori wears the No. 1 shirt, but he’s only started three times since the start of 2020 as Lawrence Ati-Zigi has established himself as the regular option between the sticks.
USA vs Ghana live stream, TV channel
- Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT
- TV channel (English): TNT
- Streaming (English): Fubo, HBO Max
- TV channel (Spanish): Universo
- Streaming (Spanish): Fubo, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo NOW
The United States national team friendly against Ghana will be broadcast in English on TNT, with streaming available on HBO Max.
It will also be broadcast in Spanish on Universo, which is available to stream on Peacock, or Universo and Telemundo’s streaming services.
Both English-language and Spanish-language broadcasts are available to stream on Fubo for those without a subscription to the aforementioned premium streaming services.
