This world we live in - who to cheer for?

The last time I saw Ghana take on the United States (no I'm not watching today's game), was in 2006 in an Irish pub in The Hague, Netherlands. It was the final round of pool play with Italy v Czech Republic playing in the other corner of the pub. It was a wide open pool - any of the four could have advanced to the next stage depending on the result. 

I remember the sole Italian in the pub (perhaps joined by 1 or 2 others later) was outnumbered and outflanked by the six-strong team of women who came in with bright red t-shirts emblazoned with 'Czech Republic'. But it was the Italians who pulled through and won - and went on to win the cup in that controversial competition.
In front of a strong and equal contingent of Ghanian and US supporters, Ghana 2-1 won in 2006. But there were good spirits all round in that small Irish pub in the Netherlands - the Americans shook hands with the Ghanians and all lived to play again.
Even though Ghana have consistently knocked the US out of the last two World Cup competitions, let's hope the grudges are still treated in good humour, and the fans and players will still shake hands at the end of the day.
The World Development Movement's excellent online blog/social justice comparison Who Should I Cheer For? looks at Ghana v USA through food issues. Last time (2010), Ghana topped the table based on how it ranked in social justice measures. This time, there's another winner - and, who knows, they could just turn the tables at the Football competition as well. Check it out.