Brooks' Late Goal Lifts USA To World Cup Victory

Tied 1-1 with just minutes remaining, things didn't look great for the United States. Ghana had just scored the equalizer and was spending the majority of the match peppering US keeper Tim Howard with shot attempts. 

But our flag was still there.

Reserve John Brooks headed in the game-winner in the 86th minute to lift the United States to a crucial opening-match win in Group G of the World Cup. 

Brooks' goal became the first ever scored by a US reserve in World Cup history. 

The Americans got off to an incredible start, scoring the opening goal before many fans were even in their seats.  Clint Dempsey slipped one past the Ghana keeper just 34 seconds into the match; the sixth-fastest goal in World Cup history.  

For the win, the United States earns three points, while Ghana earns zero.  After one match in Group G play, the USA is tied with Germany at the top, while Ghana and Portugal each took losses.

The American's next match is Sunday against Christiano Ronaldo and Portugal.