The first win against Italy ever. That is big. It was a friendly, so I don't know that I would go as far as Ian Darke who I am pretty sure said this was like "winning the World Cup." Rather, I would tend to agree with Clint Dempsey's more measured analysis that this was a step in the right direction. Still, though, it is big. The USMNT won in Italy. In Genoa. Okay, forget it, everyone gets a "10"!
As usual, it is a 1-10 rating scale, with 1 being the worst rating and 10 being the best. Do you agree with the ratings or not? Do you just want to post a celebratory comment? Do you just want an opportunity to bash Giuseppe Rossi again? Put it in the comment section below. CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP.
HOWARD
7: In the 5th minute, he came up with one of those big saves that we have come to expect from him. I believe the game would have been vastly different if that ball goes in. His long ball distribution could have been better, though.
CHERUNDOLO
5: I feel like a broken record, but it was a solid game from 'Dolo.
GOODSON
5: Goodson was shaky early, but he put that behind him.
JOHNSON (subbed off 76')
6: Johnson was a breath of fresh air at the left back spot. He gave the ball away a couple times, but he won more than he lost. His speed is an asset the USMNT is lacking. He made a pass during the sequence leading to the goal. He was not perfect, but he looks useful in the offense.
BOCANEGRA
8: I think Bocanegra is in contention for Man of the Match. He won every ball that came his way and cut out several others. He also saved a potential goal by blocking a shot. He looked sharp and was in charge of a backline that drew ten offside calls. I think Italy would've scored if Boca was not in the game.
EDU
6: One of his best performances for the USMNT in recent memory. He won a lot of balls and did not give it away as cheaply as he has been prone to do.
SHEA (subbed off 73')
4: Shea was not too bad on defense, but he was just about useless on offense. Lots of aimless passes and dribbling from him. Just as with Bedoya, I have yet to see what all the hype is about.
DEMPSEY (subbed off 90')
7: Scored the game winner. Looked confident on the ball. One of the most energetic USMNT performances from Clint in a long time. I think Dempsey is wasted on the wing. He is most productive when playing the role he did tonight and I hope he stays there.
BRADLEY
8: Clearly, the only reason Bradley plays is because his father used to be the coach.
WILLIAMS
5: I would have liked to have seen more from Williams in the offensive end of the field. He was a bit careless with the ball.
ALTIDORE (subbed off 79')
6: I don't know what they put in the orange slices at half time, but Jozy was much better in the second half. He was stronger on the ball, provided good hold-up play, and laid off the assist to Dempsey just like Klinsmann drew it up.
KLJESTAN (sub in 73')
4: Sacha was put out on the wing and was not very involved. He got caught on a couple long balls and failed to effectively clear one ball leading to a bit of danger for the U.S.
SPECTOR (sub in 76')
6: Spector made a positive impact in a short amount of time. He won two balls and blocked three dangerous shots as Italy pressed forward for the equalizer.
BOYD (sub in 79')
5: Showed some energy in his first cap.
BUDDLE (sub in 90')
--: Not enough time for a rating.
