The half finishes with Jordan Ayew spurning a glorious chance to equalise, the Sochaux forward's shot from 12-yards summing up Ghana's display. Very little conviction.

The temperature is rising inside Estadio das Dunas. Sulley Muntari and Jermaine Jones tangle and the USA player's boot unintentionally catches Muntari on the head. Muntari thinks about grabbing Jones round the neck but just about stops himself.

Image source, Getty Images

Five minutes of added time due mainly to Jozy Altidore's hamstring. Alejandro Bedoya tests the Ghana keeper with a curling free-kick which Adam Kwarasey punches clear.

Former Blackburn and Wales midfielder Robbie Savage
MOTD

"Ghana have to up the tempo. It is too slow and it is too condensed at the moment for them going forward.

"In the final third Ghana have been poor, the crosses have been poor and they haven't created anything against an organised USA side. The USA aren't the greatest team I've ever seen - just have a go at them."

Ghana will do well to go in at half-time only one goal down. The Africans are struggling to contain wave after wave of USA attacks, especially down the right hand side.

Another powerful surge forward ends in disappointment as substitute Aron Johannsson fires tamely at keeper Adam Kwarasey.

Jason Roberts
Former Wigan, Blackburn and Reading footballer

"The United States need to take care of the details. They got the early goal but now they're camped in their own half and they're struggling to get forward."

Gary Lineker
MOTD

"Clint Dempsey may have tasted boot, but he can comfort himself in the fact that he's the first American to score in three separate World Cups."

Former Blackburn and Wales midfielder Robbie Savage
MOTD

"You don't like to see that from Jurgen Klinsmann, signalling an elbow when it was the player's boot that connected with Clint Dempsey. Poor from the USA manager."

Good save by Tim Howard to keep out Asamoah Gyan. Ghana's first shot in anger. This is a fiercely competitive affair and goalscorer Clint Dempsey is caught in the nose by the boot of John Boye during an aerial challenge.

It was unintentional by the Ghana defender but blood is pouring from Dempsey's nose. Not for the squeamish! The former Fulham player goes off for treatment but a huge roar goes up as he returns after a quick wipe to clear the blood.

It has been a game to forget so far for Ghana. They're behind and they're not creating enough chances. Their frustration increases as Mohammed Rabiu is booked for a foul on Kyle Beckerman.

Jason Roberts
Former Wigan, Blackburn and Reading footballer

"It looks like Jozy Altidore's hamstring has popped. I've had a few of those in my career and it looks like that will be his tournament over. People don't recognise the importance of players like Jozy Altidore.

"He holds the ball up, stretches the defence, makes it uncomfortable and he will have been important to Clint Dempsey."

You can listen to full commentary of the match on BBC Radio 5 live by clicking on the live coverage tab at the top of this page.

Image source, Getty Images

Altidore's early exit paves the way for AZ Alkmaar forward Aron Johannsson. The United States remain in control, Michael Bradley sending Alejandro Bedoya through but his long range shot sails high and wide.

And that is the end of Jozy Altidore's night. Possibly for this tournament. The Sunderland forward winces in agony as he pulls up with a hamstring injury with just 20 minutes on the clock.

He departs the pitch on a stretcher with his head in his hands.

Former Blackburn and Wales midfielder Robbie Savage
MOTD

"The ball was a bit behind Altidore, he has to do better than that though. Wayne Rooney gets hammered for missing a chance like that, in fact that was an easier chance. He only scored one goal in the Premier League last season."

You can watch the match live by clicking on the Live Coverage tab above.

Signs that Ghana are starting to cause a threat. Daniel Opare whips in a high ball into the USA danger area but Asamoah Gyan is unable to connect on the stretch.

The action switches to the other end and Jozy Altidore takes far too much time after the ball lands at his feet eight yards out. His shot is easily blocked and a great chance to double the lead is missed.

Dan from Newcastle via text: And it's a touchdown in the first 30 seconds of the 1st quarter! Outstanding start to the World Soccer Series as Clint Dempsey advances into the end zone before rifling the soccerball between the sticks! Go USA! Or something to that effect.

Former Blackburn and Wales midfielder Robbie Savage
MOTD

"It is very condensed in the middle of the park for Ghana. The space is out wide, they need to keep switching the ball."

The game has settled. The Stars and Stripes are in cruise control. They're keeping possession and looking to build on their lead. Ghana's Asamoah Gyan is struggling to cause a threat but the strker is being starved of service.

Ryan Weston:, external Ghana's centre-half is called 'John Boye.' Definitely not having a 'good night' so far!

David Durose:, external Ghana ought to have realised that John Boye was a double agent for the USA after all his time in The Waltons.

Share your views on Twitter via #bbcworldcup, external, text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook., external

The African drums are still banging inside Estadio das Dunas but they are being drowned out by the crescendo of noise from thousands of United States fans. "USA, USA, USA," they roar.