NATAL, Brazil (AP) - After 90 brutal minutes of end-to-end action, the Americans emerged with a thrilling 2-1 win against Ghana.
"It was a grind, but it was a wonderful win at the end of the day," coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.
U.S. fans were screaming for revenge Monday after the Black Stars eliminated the Americans from the last two Cups.
They got it. At a price.
Clint Dempsey scored a shocking goal a half-minute in, but the United States couldn't make it stand up. Andre Ayew tied the score in the 82nd minute after a brilliant back-heel pass from Asamoah Gyan, who had eliminated the United States four years ago.
And then, just four minutes later, 21-year-old John Brooks rose to head in Graham Zusi's corner kick from 8 yards - the first substitute to ever score for the United States in 30 World Cup games over 84 years. The defender, an unexpected addition to the American roster, was so overcome he fell to the field and was unable to move even after teammates climbed off the dog pile. He had made his national team debut only last August, and Brooks hadn't scored in four appearances.
U.S. players ran onto the field to celebrate at the final whistle, jumping as supporters chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" Now they're in good position in Group G, where Germany opened with a 4-0 rout of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.
After the game, Vice President Joe Biden visited the victorious Americans in their locker room.
"We got the three points that we badly wanted," Klinsmann said.
He had predicted this would be like a final. Jozy Altidore was hoping it wasn't his finale.
The forward was carried off on a stretcher after his left hamstring gave out in the 21st minute when he tried to control a long ball. He awaits tests that will determine whether he can return for this World Cup.
Dempsey went down too on a balmy late-autumn night, but he stayed in the game. The U.S. captain ended the first half with a tissue up his nose, which he said was probably broken, to stop the bleeding after John Boye's kick to his face during a battle for a header in the 31st minute.
"I just had trouble breathing," Dempsey said afterward, his nose swollen and cut. "I was coughing up blood a little bit. Hopefully I'll be able to breathe through my nose again before the next game."
Tim Howard made big save after big save as Ghana outshot the United States. 21-8.
Matt Besler came out at the start of the second half after feeling tightness in his right hamstring. It was his replacement, Brooks, who scored the winning goal. Zusi was also a sub, coming on for the hobbling Alejandro Bedoya in the second half.
By the time of the final whistle, the U.S. lineup had Brooks in central defense and a virtually invisible 23-year-old Aron Johannsson at forward.
The Americans "showed a lot of heart, a lot of character," Dempsey said.
Now the odds favor advancement. But that might depend on which players are able to make it on the field for Sunday's game against Portugal in the hot and humid Amazon rain forest capital of Manaus.
"This win means nothing unless we're able to build upon it the next two games," Dempsey said.
Altidore, a 24-year-old forward, was running down a ball with Ghana's John Boye when he lowered his head to attempt to control it, grabbed the back of his left leg and fell to the ground. He was expected to be re-evaluated today at the team's training headquarters in Sao Paulo.
"It was a little bit of a shock that Jozy got injured," Klinsmann said. "It was a tough pill to swallow."
Wincing in pain, Altidore was taken off on a stretcher and replaced two minutes later by Johannsson.
"My heart goes out to him because he's been working hard," said Dempsey, the Americans' other starting forward. "He's been looking sharp. You know how much he wanted to do well. ... You could see the tears in his eyes going back to the locker room. We wish him a speedy recovery. He's a big player for us. It hurts to have him go out of the game today but other players have to step up now."