By: Jared Launius, Evan Ream and Matt Carlson
The USMNT got past Guadeloupe tonight, 1-0. Fortunately for the USMNT, Henry, Gallas, Biabiany, and Saha all chose to play international football for France. A win is a win, but the USMNT has been unimpressive so far in the Gold Cup, in my opinion. Wasn't the Panama game supposed to be a wake-up call? Yet, the USMNT was uninspiring and unacceptably wasteful with its chances on goal. The US is not going to get 7-8 chances against Mexico. Actually, if the USMNT keeps playing like they have been in the first three games, forget Mexico, the USMNT is not going to get past Jamaica.
By popular demand, we have switched from the Sky Sports rating scale and have gone to a straight 1-10 scale, with 1 being the worst rating and 10 being the best. As ususal, there are some difference between the three of us today. Do you agree or disagree with our ratings? Let us know in the comment section below. (mwc) CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP.
HOWARD:
6: Was quick off his line and closed out crosses on the few opportunities he had - didn't have any real chances to distinguish himself otherwise. (Jared)
6: Didn't really have much to do. (Evan)
5: Guadeloupe rarely got past the backline and had no idea where the goal was when it did, so Howard did not have much to do. His distribution left a little to be desired, though. (mwc)
CHERUNDOLO:
8: Keeping attackers at bay, providing width, playing in dangerous crosses - honestly, when was the last time Cherundolo failed to put in an all-around positive shift in a US shirt? (Jared)
7: Provided excellent service down the right side and was a constant threat throughout the game. (Evan)
6: Solid in defense and provided some dangerous balls on offense. (mwc)
BOCANEGRA:
6: A typical Bocanegra shift - stout defensively, poor in distribution. I'm not sure Boca still needs to be a constant fixture in the XI. (Jared)
6: Struggled with distribution, but didn't get beat once. (Evan)
6: Did his job defensively, but his offensive limitations were on display again. If the USMNT is going to continue to rely on the wing backs to provide the width on offense, it needs someone else on the wing. (mwc)
GOODSON:
7: Continued to show off his improved composure and was, per usual, a menace on set pieces even if he didn't get a header on frame. (Jared)
5: Did well, except for a challenge that could have been a foul and maybe even a red card. (Evan)
6: Outside of the mess he and Bradley made on Guadeloupe's first corner, he did his job. Another referee may have called him for a foul just outside the box that could have hurt. (mwc)
LICHAJ:
6.5: The young wingback provided much-needed width and pace down the left flank - something Bocanegra doesn't - but more dangerous sides would have taken advantage of some positioning mistakes. Still, I think he deserves another look at left back. (Jared)
7: Showed quickness and the ability to run at defenders, more than can be said for any left back we have ever had. (Evan)
5: Good to see him get a game and he brings a lot to the table, including a Delap type throw-in, but Guadeloupe was just not good enough to make him pay for three big mistakes. (mwc)
DONOVAN:
7.5: Much, much better from the US number 10, not 2010-level, but far more dangerous and influential than his performance against Panama. (Jared)
5: He was too passive, but he didn't really do anything poorly, either. (Evan)
7: Donovan played a lot of good balls tonight, but he did miss a close chance I would expect him to bury. (mwc)
DEMPSEY:
7: Dempsey continued to be the US' most dangerous attacker - on another night, he would've had a hat trick. Marks off for doping around on that sitter, though. (Jared)
4: Created many chances, but it didn't matter because he didn't finish them. Tonight wasn't his night. (Evan)
3: Yes, I said it. 3. A couple of near miss free kicks does not make up for holding the ball too long, poor distribution, and botching four, FOUR, fantastic chances. He is my favorite Nat, but he was poor tonight. (mwc)
BRADLEY (subbed off 85'):
8.5: That trademark work rate that has earned Bradley his international reputation was on full display, but his ventures up into the attack were what made this a fantastic performance. His pinpoint, decisive passing created several dangerous opportunities for the Yanks. (Jared)
8: Man of the match. He controlled the midfield and very rarely gave away possession. He switched the attack with ease on many occasions. (Evan)
7: Ran several miles. Passed well. Clogged the middle. An all-around solid effort. I don't get the nepotism bit. (mwc)
JONES:
8: This was, I thought, Jermany's best performance in a US shirt, as his field switching, pass-linking prowess was matched by his destroying abilities for the first time with his national team. (Jared)
6: Had an average night, some nice tackles and passes but wasn't dominant. (Evan)
8: He won every ball that was even remotely near him. Good to see his long passing skills make a return. (mwc)
ALTIDORE (subbed off 78'):
9: His strike for the lone US goal was world class, and his work rate, physicality, decision-making and movement off the ball was as good as I ever remember seeing it. (Jared)
7.5: Scored a banger and held up the ball well. He also drew a lot of fouls. (Evan)
8: Yes, his first touch is still terrible, but he got a goal, ran all over the place, and tracked back on defense, again. I hope this trend continues. (mwc)
WONDOLOWSKI (subbed off 64'):
6.5: Wondo wasn't spectacular, and he missed another solid chance to find the back of the net, but his movement created loads of space for Altidore. Looks the better option than Agudelo based on current form. (Jared)
4: Had some decent touches, but failed to be clinical in front of the net. He isn't on the field for his speed, strength or passing -- he should be putting away these chances. (Evan)
5: Not a bad night. He worked hard and had a couple of nice touches, but he looked awfully slow and he needs to get the ball off his foot quicker in the box. (mwc)
BEDOYA (subbed on 64'):
8: Did everything you could possibly want from an attacking sub - nearly had a few goals and gave Dempsey the sitter Deuce pissed away with a great run into the box. (Jared)
6: Added life to the game, but didn't make a stamp on it. (Evan)
6: Good try on his late header and set up Dempsey for what looked to be a certain goal. (mwc)
KLJESTAN (subbed on 78'):
6.5: Sacha's attacking-third movement continues to create space for his teammates, and his decision-making truly is much improved and more decisive. (Jared)
6: Looked really good on the ball, but wasn't given a long enough time to make a huge impact. (Evan)
5: Made some good touches, including the pass to get Dempsey his last chance on goal. I am not sold on him, but he did okay. (mwc)
EDU (subbed on 85'):
5: Was brought in to preserve the lead, so you can't really blame him for failing to capitalize on an out-numbered Guadeloupe during a few late US counter-attacks - still, he didn't offer much in his few minutes. (Jared)
---: Didn't play long enough. (Evan)
---: Not enough time to warrant a rating. (mwc)
