Freedom Kicks: D.C. United, USA and World Cup links for Tuesday June 17

It still does feel like a dream, though, doesn't it? Not the whole thing - losing Jozy and Besler (and maybe Bedoya) to injury is more nightmare than dream - but that late game-winning bolt out of the blue. Anyway, it's Tuesday, and here are your morning Freedom Kicks.

Obviously, we're leading off with the United States' 2-1 win (at long last!) over Ghana. Here's a few recaps from SBN's Zach Woolsey, Goal's Seth Vertelney and SoccerWire's Charles Boehm.

USA vs. Ghana: Winning ugly is the American way | SBNation.com
WE ARE WHO WE THOUGHT WE WERE. AND THEY LET US OFF THE HOOK.

Watch America go nuts over the USA win | SBNation.com
The USMNT finally beat Ghana, and then we celebrated. Boy did we celebrate. Oh, and importantly, we filmed the celebrations.

World Cup 2014: The USA has no backup for Jozy Altidore | Black And Red United
Here's a little thing I wrote last month about the lack of anybody on the roster not named Jozy who can play the forward position the way Jozy Altidore does, rather than as a secondary striker. Sadly, after Altidore's hamstring injury last night, it looks like this is actually going to matter.

USMNT turn back clock in bunker-and-pray win over Ghana | MLSsoccer.com
Matt Doyle breaks down the win. My big worry (other than Jozy, of course) is how right he is on Fabian Johnson, who is wonderful going forward and much less so defending. We'll see if the Bora-ball label sticks or if Klinsi can find another way to compete against Portugal and Germany.

Elswhere in Brazil: It may be difficult to remember, but there were two other matches in Brazil yesterday. Well, one of them was an execution, and the other a kick-around where the goals weren't in play.

World Cup: Portugal hothead Pepe gets red card for head-butt, set to miss match vs. USMNT | MLSsoccer.com
Meanwhile in Portugal camp, Pepe proved once again that he is basically Rico Clark without the impulse control.

U.S. referee Mark Geiger assigned to Spain vs. Chile at the Maracana | SI.com
Big game for the former math teacher, and completely deserved. Geiger has put in probably one of the two or three best performances of any referee in the tournament so far (certainly more impressive than Jonas Eriksson's showing last night in Natal).

But turning our attention Stateside...

Rhinos face stern test on Tuesday vs. D.C. United | Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Local media in upstate NY takes a look at the Rhinos heading into tonight's USOC matchup with our beloved D.C. United. The hosts are coming off of a bit of fixture congestion and have been outscored 10-1 in four meetings with the Black-and-Red, dating back to the 1996 USOC final. Basically, there's no excuses for Ben Olsen's side not to come back home with a win.

In other USOC action over the weekend: the 2013 runners up crash out, That's So Metro, and Chivas USA gonna Chivas USA.

So, what do you want to talk about this morning?