Ugh. As I am sure you know by now, the USMNT had never lost a game in Gold Cup group play. I guess there is a first time for everything. Cue the Bob Bradley haters. The officiating was not the best, but the USMNT lost for other reasons. Inexplicably, the USMNT didn't appear to start playing with any urgency until the last 20 minutes. They really needed one of their stars to step up and take over the game, but that did not happen. When the USMNT loses at home to a team that is ranked 67th in the world, there is a strong desire to start handing out the "1" ratings. However, our professionalism requires us to objectively evaluate the game and prevents us from being so reactionary. (Well, that, and the fact that the Sky Sports ratings scale we are using does not go down to 1.) If you want to play along, the ratings scale can be found here: http://www.skysports.com/football/whatisthis/0,20945,,00.html?width=600px&height=450px . Do you agree or disagree with our ratings?
CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP.
HOWARD
5: You can't fault Timmy for either goal, and there weren't many chances otherwise to distinguish himself; Panama scored the only two real chances they had. (Jared)
6: Had little to do tonight and the goals were not his fault. (mwc)
BOCANEGRA
5: Solid in defense, Bocanegra still offered little to the attack beside providing a little menace on set pieces. (Jared)
5: He got forward, but he did not do anything useful once he was there. (mwc)
CHERUNDOLO
5.5 - Cherundolo's service wasn't at the level we've come to expect, but his work on the right flank was solid, per usual. (Jared)
5: Won most of the balls that came his way, but his offensive contributions were not good enough especially when he was being counted on (with Bocanegra) to provide the width. (mwc)
GOODSON (subbed off in 78th)
6: His diving header off Bradley's flick-on gave the U.S. hope, and his defense/distribution was fairly solid throughout. (Jared)
6: Scored a goal and won many balls, but I think he bears a lot of blame for the first goal because he kept the attacker onside. (mwc)
REAM
4.5: His reckless challenge in the box gave the penalty that led to the eventual match-winner, and he never made up for it. (Jared)
5: We're going to have to put up with things like this as he goes through the development process. (mwc)
BRADLEY
5: Didn't dictate the midfield the way you'd expect, and wasn't as sharp with his touch as he has been - particularly on that late chance. (Jared)
6: He was solid and he fought to get the flick-on which set up the goal, but like many on the USMNT, he needed to do more than he did. (mwc)
JONES (subbed off 59th)
4: Jones failed to string consecutive solid performances together, playing wreckless defensively and failing to link consistently. (Jared)
5: Got a phantom yellow. He won his share of balls, but I wanted to see him make some of those trademark long passes to help breakdown Panama's defensive shell. (mwc)
DONOVAN
4.5 - The so-called "best field player" for the US needs to have an impact on each American proceeding, and he didn't. He never really got into the run of play and his set-piece service left much to be desired. (Jared)
5: His set piece delivery was often dangerous, but he was largely anonymous until the last 15 minutes, and even then, he snatched at a good look on goal, sending it wide to the near side. He has to be better. (mwc)
DEMPSEY
6: Was caught in possession a few times too many, but worked the hardest and created the most dangerous opportunities of any Yank attacking player. (Jared)
5: A couple of good shot attempts, but he often held the ball too long and did not do enough with it when he had time. (mwc)
AGUDELO (subbed off 59th)
4.5: Was solid in checking back into midfield, but Agudelo's work on the ball offered little. (Jared)
5: He worked hard again, but without any result. (mwc)
ALTIDORE
5: Regressed from the shift he put in against Canada - but the work rate was still much better than what we've seen. (Jared)
6: If Wondolowski scores, everyone is talking about a couple of Jozy's good moves with the ball and the nice energy he showed again. His first touch when receiving the ball was poor tonight. (mwc)
KLEJSTAN (sub in 59th)
6 - Was composed on the ball when he came in and linked the midfield to the forwards effectively. (Jared)
5: I didn't see him brighten up the game like others did. Maybe they are just giddy over him shaving off that mustache. (mwc)
BEDOYA (sub in 59th)
5.5: Earned legitimate - from my point-of-view - penalty shout and moved well on the wing. (Jared)
5: Nothing special. I thought it was a dive. (mwc)
WONDOLOWSKI (sub in 78th)
4: The bottom line is, he was brought in to score - and he bricked a golden chance. (Jared)
4: He missed a sitter to tie the game. Are you sure this rating scale doesn't have a 1? (mwc)
