USA - Guatemala Grades (R)

[Heathens '87]

Let's hear it.......

Hahnemann - 5.5 - showed good command of the box, some nice saves, and the post was his friend late. Stop kicking the ball to the other keeper....this isn't keep-away.

Albright - 5.0 - good positioning, good energy, the danger didn't come from his side. Left his feet for a sliding tackle at one point and missed, leaving the attacker to move in. On your feet, son.

Marshall - 5.5 - you can't teach size, and even understands the benefit of it on offensive set plays. Showed his potential last night.

Conrad - 5.5 - very workman-like performance. Quietly becoming a factor.

Vanney - 3.0 - outclassed quite often, bad penalty on the edge of the box late, looked lost fairly often. A rough night.

Mastroeni - 5.5 - controlled his area, transitioned to the attack well, made the right pass, no mistakes. Solid.

Dempsey - 4.0 - puts himself in the right position at times, with nothing to show for it. Soccer isn't just about playing hard, and he lacked the finishing, creativity, and distribution that he'll need to be a factor in the attack.

Quaranta - 4.5 - looked young, but shows for the ball well, and isn't afraid to try to make something happen. I think the pace of the game as a starter was a bit of a surprise to him in his first start.

Convey - 5.5 - starting to show some consistency in his performance, and is developing into a solid back-up to DMB at left-mid. Made his runs to bring the ball up, but the forward combination was rarely in position to receive quickly.

Twellman - 4.5 - had some solid chances, especially in the second half, but wasn't able to finish. Played a complete game from his position, but was obviously unfamiliar with his teammates, and they with him.

Cunningham - 4.0 - a game where he could've shined, but seemed out-of-sync with the team and formations, and unable to use his ball skills to create space for himself. Disappointing effort, as a forward needs to work even if he's not getting the service he'd prefer.

Johnson - 5.0 - had the night's best chance and missed the header. Not quite back to form, but made some good runs, received well, and showed how he's better than Cunningham quickly. He'd be higher if he made that shot.

Donovan - 4.5 - not terribly impactful and had enough time out there to show his class. The team needed some organization in the attack and he failed to provide it.

Ralston - NR - limited minutes.

[NBlue]

Hahnemann - 6 - Made one international quality save that saved the match for the US and controlled his backline well. Though his distribution was not exceptional one can only assume that BA's plan was to have him boot the ball deep otherwise I'm sure he would have thrown out wide more than using his strong boot.

Albright - 5.0 - I'm scared with him back there but I thought he did fine. Wished he could have contributed more to the attack and his passing touch deserted him on occasion but I thought he did okay overall.

Marshall - 6.5 - MOTM for the US imo. Goochesque performance controlling the backline and destroying any service that came through the air. Was very impressed by the kid.

Conrad - 5.5 - I agree with you, Heathens, a very workmanlike performance -- another solid yet unspectacular outing.

Vanney - 3.0 - Not pretty. I think his time on the USMNT has, hopefully, finally come to an end.

Mastroeni - 6.0 - Played the destroyer role very nicely and I thought he actually provided better service than Dempsey throughout the match. I think he will start at least 2 matches in Germany.

Dempsey - 3.5 - He gave our offense no shape and provided essentially no creative passing to set up our forwards and was frequently dispossessed. When he shifted to right wing, he played even poorer and his attempt at crossing was pitiful. While he consistently gave effort and worked hard, it seemed he was working by himself and not with his teammates enough -- a cardinal sin for an attacking midfielder whose primary mission should be to set up his teammates. At this point, I think he is on the outside looking in at the final 23.

Quaranta - 4.5 - Did not provide enough width from the right wing and pinched in to frequently, though he did appear briefly dangerous at times. I did not see him too much in this match and wonder if that was because of design or just lack of hustle?

Convey - 6.0 - Inconsistent but clearly our most dangerous player on the field. He created several excellent opportunities down the left side that a McBride probably would have finished. Though he was dispossessed more than I would like, I thought he played well overall.

Twellman - 4.0 - Same old story -- he needs to finish. He had opportunities and did not -- that's what he gets paid for.

Cunningham - 4.0 - See above.

[Tyree]

I was really disappointed by Cunningham...granted it was tough to grade him because we couldn't see the whole match...but there were numerous times that I thought he should have shown for the ball or moved into space (to either open space for himself or to draw a defender) and he didn't.

I hate to say that his style of play isn't condusive to Bruce's system, but he's had several opportunitites to impress and impact a game as he has proven he can do in MLS...but hasn't.

[American40]

Hahnemann - 6.5 - Good shot stopping and command of his box, poor distribution.

Albright - 5.5 - 'OK' defensively, decent going forward.

Marshall - 7.0 - Played well and in control.

Conrad - 6.5 - Deserves another look.

Vanney - 3.0 - ouch.

Mastroeni - 6.0 - Solid, nothing special.

Dempsey - 4.0 - looks like he doens't know what to do.

Quaranta - 4.5 - Not there yesterday. Decent effort, but poor touches and poor decisions.

Convey - 6.5 - Improving, periodically dangerous.

Twellman - 4.5 - Good effort, but no finishing again. Not in-sync with the midfield or Cunningham.

Cunningham - 4.0 - pass da ball a bit more.

Johnson - 5.5

Donovan - Huh? did he play?

Ralston - NR

[macheath]

Hahnemann - 6.5 - Good shot stopping and command of his box, poor distribution.

Albright - 5.5 - 'OK' defensively, decent going forward.

Marshall - 7.0 - Played well and in control.

Conrad - 6.5 - Deserves another look.

Vanney - 3.0 - ouch.

Mastroeni - 6.0 - Solid, nothing special.

Dempsey - 4.0 - looks like he doens't know what to do.

Quaranta - 4.5 - Not there yesterday. Decent effort, but poor touches and poor decisions.

Convey - 6.5 - Improving, periodically dangerous.

Twellman - 4.5 - Good effort, but no finishing again. Not in-sync with the midfield or Cunningham.

Cunningham - 4.0 - pass da ball a bit more.

Johnson - 5.5

Donovan - Huh? did he play?

Ralston - NR

what he said--excellent assessment. I'd shade Dempsey higher, but mostly for his work as a quasi-defensive mid, clogging the middle and winning the ball.

[American40]

what he said--excellent assessment.


Ohhh! Can't believe someone agreed with me!! Gonna be a good day!;)

[JohnR]

Sounds like I don't need to watch the 2nd half, as these are essentially the scores I would give for the 20 minutes that I saw of the first half. More of the same coming up for me on TIVO, eh?

[ctruppi]

Two points:

1) I think everyone hear is giving way too much props to the two central defenders. While they did have overall good matches, I think there were 6-7 good Guat forays in the middle of the box for my tastes. A decent team, or even Guat on a dry surface would have punished those two badly. There were even a couple of times when they were beat in the air, and this is supposed to be their forte. Even Balboa commented on one particular play when they were beat in the air and the ball was loose in the box and wasn't defended well. While they both have potential, I wouldn't start the high-praise based on last night's performance.

2) I just don't understand Bruce's sub pattern. Maybe Quaranta was tired or something, but I would have taken out Dempsey for Donovan before any other sub. As soon as Donovan came into the middle, the offense sprang to life. The team played quicker up front and was able to outnunber the Guats on several occasions. I would rather have seen Tino the beneficiary of the new space instead of Dempsey. There was one play in particular when Donovan, on the right side of the field about 30 yards away from goal, beat his man and quickly passed to Dempsey. DOnovan then took off for the box and had a wide open lane to the near post. Dempsey, who should have played a simple through-ball to LD simply pumped the ball towards the back-post where it sailed past everyone. There were also some 3 vs 3 and 2 v 2 late with EJ and Twellman (and Convey or LD) and man I would loved to have seen Cunningham with the ball in those occasions rather than Twellman.

[StillKickin]

Johnson - 5.5

Donovan - Huh? did he play?

Did he play? Are you kidding me? He only gift-wrapped a goal for GAM who blew it....and did you read his quote as to why he blew it? Cuz he was already thinking about how he was going to celebrate the goal. Had LD said such a thing, why, he'd be roasted here.

But GAM gets a walk and a 5.5? Sure.

[chad]

Sounds like I don't need to watch the 2nd half, as these are essentially the scores I would give for the 20 minutes that I saw of the first half. More of the same coming up for me on TIVO, eh?
You know what, John, I'd watch the game from when EJ and Donovan come in. At that point, some of the problems the non-regular starters might have when playing with the full team start to really stick out.

Like rain on a parade, people are wondering where Donovan was. Watch and you'll see. He's showing for the ball, with Mastro, only to watch the defense hoof it downfield. He's showing for the ball, only to watch the outside mids put their heads down and charge down the field - where they usually were dispossessed.

EJ showed great class (terrible header aside - more that his skill was evident), albeit with some rust.

So watch the end. It's interesting.

[StillKickin]

Two points:

2) I just don't understand Bruce's sub pattern. Maybe Quaranta was tired or something, but I would have taken out Dempsey for Donovan before any other sub. As soon as Donovan came into the middle, the offense sprang to life. The team played quicker up front and was able to outnunber the Guats on several occasions. I would rather have seen Tino the beneficiary of the new space instead of Dempsey. There was one play in particular when Donovan, on the right side of the field about 30 yards away from goal, beat his man and quickly passed to Dempsey. DOnovan then took off for the box and had a wide open lane to the near post. Dempsey, who should have played a simple through-ball to LD simply pumped the ball towards the back-post where it sailed past everyone. There were also some 3 vs 3 and 2 v 2 late with EJ and Twellman (and Convey or LD) and man I would loved to have seen Cunningham with the ball in those occasions rather than Twellman.

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed this.

[chad]

Did he play? Are you kidding me? He only gift-wrapped a goal for GAM who blew it....and did you read his quote as to why he blew it? Cuz he was already thinking about how he was going to celebrate the goal. Had LD said such a thing, why, he'd be roasted here.

But GAM gets a walk and a 5.5? Sure.
LD when he got the ball played it pretty well, iirc. His problem was his teammates decisions.

edit: just saw ctruppis post and stillkickin's above. 100% agree.

[ctruppi]

You know what, John, I'd watch the game from when EJ and Donovan come in. At that point, some of the problems the non-regular starters might have when playing with the full team start to really stick out.

Like rain on a parade, people are wondering where Donovan was. Watch and you'll see. He's showing for the ball, with Mastro, only to watch the defense hoof it downfield. He's showing for the ball, only to watch the outside mids put their heads down and charge down the field - where they usually were dispossessed.

EJ showed great class, albeit with some rust.

So watch the end. It's interesting.

Yeah, I don't know what game people are watching. The US created 2 absolute sitters and 3-4 more wing overlaps where a last inaccurate pass blew the chance once LD and EJ came in! I say again that if EJ and Cunningham had been up top during that time, we would have scored.

[DP_elyanqui]

Did he play? Are you kidding me? He only gift-wrapped a goal for GAM who blew it....and did you read his quote as to why he blew it? Cuz he was already thinking about how he was going to celebrate the goal. Had LD said such a thing, why, he'd be roasted here.

But GAM gets a walk and a 5.5? Sure.

At least he was honest. He realizes he screwed up and I'd be willing to bet he doesn't let his concentration lapse again...

[John L]

Twellman played well on Defense - Other than that he was definitely a non-factor - Can't believe I heard him compared favorably with McBride - Twellmans a POACHER - Not a force - He'll get garbage goals against sloppy Defenders and Goal Keepers, but he's not a force by himself

Dempsey was horrid in the middle - Especially with Twellman in front of him

Convey and Quaranta - Too confined to the outside and should have been allowed to come into the middle (esp Convey) to take over the offense more directly - Quaranta needs to play as a FORWARD - He's always being put out of position as an Outside Midfielder - He'd be good as a Wing in any 3-man Forward unit where the Forwards switch roles all the time - But as an outside halfback who only occassionally is allowed to attack - {sigh} - Thats just not his game

Vanney - UGH -

Other Defenders - Actually showed some class stealing the ball away from the Guatemalan forwards

[Heathens '87]

Like rain on a parade, people are wondering where Donovan was. Watch and you'll see. He's showing for the ball, with Mastro, only to watch the defense hoof it downfield. He's showing for the ball, only to watch the outside mids put their heads down and charge down the field - where they usually were dispossessed.

My criticism of Landon is that, as a team leader, an experienced international-level attacker, he needed to do a better job of organizing the attack. He turned it into a bit of a 2-man game up top, and while that was somewhat effective, I hoped his impact would be what he was able to do in the Cuba game during the Gold Cup - organizing the attack, and using the full array of options to do so.

I'm more critical of Landon about this than I would be of any other player....the team needed a bit of leadership on the field. I don't think he provided that in his 30 minutes or so....

[ctruppi]

At least he was honest. He realizes he screwed up and I'd be willing to bet he doesn't let his concentration lapse again...

That's exactly the point. If and when LD is honest (see the numerous hits he takes for his "honest" post Mexico comments) he gets toasted here, while others get a freebee for the same shite! On top of that, we get asked if LD even played. The guy freaking came into a dead, match and instantly injected life into our attack and we easily had 6-7 good attacking chances and 2 absolute sitters squandered once he came in, all due to his presence in the game. On top of that, everytime I looked up, the guy was hustling his ass back to our side of the field to help Pablo in the DM area. Geez, can we have a little bit mre honesty when it comes to LD. What's the statute of limitations on his bailing in Germany? Does he have to be top scorer and win the Golden Ball in Germany next summer before we forget that he oce left the Bundesliga for MLS?

[JohnR]

Like rain on a parade, people are wondering where Donovan was. Watch and you'll see. He's showing for the ball, with Mastro, only to watch the defense hoof it downfield. He's showing for the ball, only to watch the outside mids put their heads down and charge down the field - where they usually were dispossessed.

EJ showed great class, albeit with some rust.

So watch the end. It's interesting.

Will do.

The gulf in decision making between this unit & the team that we fielded against Mexico was immense. By & large, these guys played stupidly. Their vision was poor, they couldn't figure out when to play fast & when to play slowly, their space & off-the-ball movement was shabby.

[WShine]

It sounds like some people want to give Cunningham his walking papers. Its true that he did not have much impact last night, but that can happen easily to a forward on the road in Central America.

He deserves more time. His game is improving and he has had very few USMT minutes. He deserves more opportunities just like Twellman, Quaranta, Ching, Noonan, etc.

[StillKickin]

At least he was honest. He realizes he screwed up and I'd be willing to bet he doesn't let his concentration lapse again...
Oh, I'm not really faulting EJ for the comment - just like I don't fault Donovan for his comments for which he is always so soundly ridiculed. I want all the players to comment honestly. I think it's wonderful.

What I am pointing out is the disparity of, shall we say, open-mindedness towards evaluating EJ and LD. (Open-mindedness is not really what I want to say, but I just can't think of the right words to use.)