USA vs. Cuba 10/11/08 Player Ratings Thread [R]

[olephill2]

Howard - 5 - caught off guard on Cuba's goal

Cherundolo - 6 - absent in first half, got more involved later in 2nd half
Onyewu - 8 - great goal, but also controlled things at the back well
Bocanegra - 6 - solid outing for the most part.
Pearce - 8 - got forward as needed. Nice assist to Donovan.

Bradley - 7 - controlled the match well from midfield
Kljestan - 7 - two assists means he earns his stripes in my book
Dempsey - 6 - still fades in & out of the match, but decent showing
Donovan - 8 - good vision & movement, but should've been more selfish
Beasley - 8 - best USMNT performance since last summer

Ching - 6 - I thought he did his job quite well

Subs:
Altidore - 7 - nice goal
Torres - 5 - out of sync with teammates not surprisingly, but it was his first game, so no hard feelings
Adu - 7 - Would've given NR due to short time on the pitch, but great assist to Onyewu

[Mr Martin]

Donovan - 8 (sublime)
Beasley - 8 (welcome back)
Onyewu - 8 ("the man" in the back)

Kljestan - 7
Pearce - 7

Boca - 6
Bradley -6
Cherundolo - 6

Howard - 5

Dempsey - 4 (bad touches and passes all night)
Ching - 4 (brick touches and lost the ball too often)

---subs----
Altidore - 7
Adu - 6
Torres - 5 (which is fine for a 1st cap)

[Matrim55]

I'd lower Bradley's rating - he had his worst game in quite a while - and raise Kljestan's. Sacha's emergence has been one of the stories of the semis for us, and we're a much better team for having him out there.

[m vann]

Outstanding work by our boys tonight. I can honestly nobody have an off game or even poor game. That's not often you can say that! Here's my breakdown:


Howard (6) - Did absolutely nothing all night so basically he gets a 6 for just wearing a uniform. Nothing he could do about the goal. It was struck awkward but it was a good strike.

Boca (6) - I didn't notice him for large stretches of the game. He literally could of walked off the pitch, grabbed a drink, taken a piss and nobody would of known he left. That's a good sign for a CB. Makes for an easy day at the office.

Gooch (7) - Same as Boca. He gets one point added for his goal, though. I laughed when he scored. I was like, "what he hell is he doing up there." I guess he got pissed that he had nothing to do all day so he said ******** it I'm going to get in on the action. :D

Dolo (6) - Not much to do defensively but provided some nice passing and nice movement up the flanks, especially the over lapping runs. He's very calm with the ball at his feet and knows when and where to attack and pass. Much better and complete outing than his previous games.

Pearce (6) - Borderline 5.5 but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. No complaints defensively but on the attack he could of provided a little more diagonal balls and a little less banging back and forth between the CBs. Needed to move the ball quicker to launch an attack. However, he did have some very fluid passes and nice over lapps.

Beasley (9) - Easily the man of the match. Slowed down a bit in the last 15 minutes but understandable considering he moved further back on the pitch. I loved the movement, I loved the perfectly timed runs, and I loved the two finishes. Not to mention the assists. One of better matches I have seen him play. His chemistry with Donovan is sickening. It's so in sync it's scary. He looks fully recovered from injury. He always plays well in the #7 shirt!!

Bradley (6) - Only the yellow was my complaint. But I think he was making sure he was headed back to Germany!! He linked up well, closed down the middle of the pitch, and shortened up his passing. Didn't play quite as deep as he usually does which I like. He freed up quite a bit of space for everyone in the attack.

Kljestan (7) - He might be our psuedo #10. He was given space to control the tempo of the attack and did a fine job. He looked less tentative than he has previously. I noticed his head was constantly up, surveying the pitch on and off the ball. He kept the touches limited and kept the passing short and on the ground. His pass on the first goal was outstanding. Great timing and the pass froze the defense. He's looking more comfortable. Oh yeah, got a goal stolen by Ching!!!!

Dempsey (6.5) - He's got that fire back in his eyes. He looks refreshed and looks determined. I loved his running up and down the pitch and behind the defense. Provided some nice combination work with Donovan, Ching, Bradley, and Kljestan. He didn't hold onto the ball long and didn't try to do it himself with tricks. Played simple and played with a purpose. He broke out a trick or two but only when it warranted.

Donovan (8) - Started off a little slow but damn did he turn it on. He played provider tonight and constantly had that head up looking for the next play. He have several weighted passes that torn apart the Cuban defense. I absolutely love his chemistry with Beasley. It is scary how good it is. What if they played on the same club. Rangers, anyone? His goal scored just epitomized his play tonight. Total team effort. He started the play and finished the play.

Ching (6.5) - Nice combination work tonight and nice that he held up play by backing his defender lower. while he held the ball well, he didn't hold it longer than he should, which is usually the case. He held, turned if he could, and hit some nice passes to the flanks. On the Donovan goal, he did an excellent job of collecting, looking, taking a touch into the space so he could turn a bit and released a perfect diagonal ball into the patch of Beasley. He may of stolen Kljestan's goal but he did deserve one nonetheless.


Subs:

Torres (6.5) - Combined extremely well with Adu, Altidore, and Bradley. He honestly looked no different than if he were playing for Pachuca. He keeps it simple with limited touches, quick movement off the ball, and short passes east, west, and north. He loves to spray it around. Very impressive debut. I loved the attempted long distance shot. You'd never know based his play how small he is. It's a great sign that he can duplicate his club play at the international level on his debut. I look for 90 minutes against T&T.

Adu (6.5) - The interchanging of positions with Torres, Donovan, Dempsey, and even Altidore at times was very refreshing to see. Shows how smart he actually is. Combined well with others, kept it simple, provided a nice cross or two from the left, and most importantly kept the ball moving and on the pitch.

Altidore (7) - He forms such a nice triangle with whoever is in his area. He plays with so much poise and confidence and it rubs off on others. He showed just how multifunctional he is on his goal. First, his initial touch was deft, second the pace to free himself, then the muscle to fend off his defender, and lastly, the calmness to slow a nice shot, lower and near post. Amazing that in one play you see tools others do not have. I hope Pelligrini at
Villarreal sees the highlights.


Bob Bradley (10) - There really is no need to explain or expand. The evidence is in the result and in the play on the pitch. One of his better, if not best, game plans and execution. Kudos to him.

[minya]

I'd lower Bradley's rating - he had his worst game in quite a while

Bradley played both ways and sucked both ways. The goal is his mistake,
no positive contribution to the attack, stupid yellow. But he is a such automatic ninety minutes player that it goes absolutely unnoticed. No doubts he will start the next game ahead of Edu. Dempsey and Ching had mediocre games but not to that extend. The rest of the field players had a good game and Donovan was outstanding. Howard was there.

[m vann]

Bradley played both ways and sucked both ways. The goal is his mistake,
no positive contribution to the attack, stupid yellow. But he is a such automatic ninety minutes player that it goes absolutely unnoticed. No doubts he will start the next game ahead of Edu. Dempsey and Ching had mediocre games but not to that extend. The rest of the field players had a good game and Donovan was outstanding. Howard was there.

Okay before this gets into one of your I hate Bradley, he sucks posts, on the goal is was partly his fault, partly Beasley's, too. Equal blame in my book. Can't pin it on one or the other. It was simply miscommunication. They both moved toward the Cuban player and they both slowed up thinking the other had him. Bradley being the trailing guy kinda made an awkward stab on the ball when he realized Beasley didn't have him. Equal blame, no excuses really just an honest mistake. Like I said, Bradley had blame but it totally wasn't on him. Nice shot by the Cuban player, though.

BTW, he won't play against T&T. The yellow earned him a suspension. He's headed back to Germany.

[Lord15]

Future is now edition:

Defense - considering the Cuba goal came off of a bad Bradley tackle and nothing else much happened...
Howard - NR
Cherundolo - 7 - Solid, but looking a little haggard.
Onyewu - 9
Bocanegra - 8
Pearce - 7


Midfield.
Donovan - 8
Kljestan - 8 - best game yet, should have stayed in the game.

Bradley - 6
Beasley - 6 - two goals lifted him, but he's a turnover machine

Dempsey - 4 - shouldn't be an automatic starter, unless he returns to form I see him being phased out over the next year. What happened to this guy?

Forwards.
Ching - 4 - I appreciate how hard he works, but can't wait until we're done with this guy.

Subs:
Altidore - 7 - should start in front of Ching
Torres - 7 - liked what I saw
Adu - 7 - should start in front of Beasley


This game only underscores that we need to be blooding the young guys heavily as they can take our game to an entirely different level.

[USA2010?]

One thing to keep in mind is that we played against a depleted Cuba. Just saying Cuba alone means a weak team, and these guys were beyond that.

Howard and Boca did nothing special.

Gooch is becoming a much, much better defender. People complain about his physicality at times (ie WC), but I just saw a clip on WC2006 highlights, and that penalty against him was a terrible call. I think that if he goes to a top league this winter or summer, in a 1-2 years we could be looking at a world class defender.

Both Pearce and Dolo have been a disappointment - perhaps my hopes were too high. Pearce used to go around people, push forward and hook in wicked crosses. He had a nice cross on the goal, but he should do better over 90 minutes. Dolo just seems like an average defender, slightly better than MLS quality.

Beasley has a great game. Let's just hope he gets more time at Rangers.

Bradley played poorly and let's hope he more time in the BDL. Kljestan looked fine.

Ching has to do more. As a striker, he has to strike. Does he score Altidore's goal? Nope, and that should say it all.

Altidore looked very good. He has decent speed and uses his size to maintain possession and put shots on goal. He's much, much better than Ching is right now and should start every game. Let's just hope he goes on loan in January or Villareal play him.

Dempsey - I'd rather have Adu or Altidore on the field. He's just not that good. What happened to his ability to get by people?

Adu - Does anyone provide better service than Freddy? There is no other creater wearing RW&B. He needs to play - I don't understand why he does not.

Donovan - some may rave about his game, but he let a few goals by because he does not know when to shoot - THIS IS A BIG FLAW. Against top teams you don't this many chances. I'm not saying take him off the field, but he's got to score.

[Altidore_Adu_Fan]

Team gets a 10+ needs improvement on finishing (Cooper) but enjoyed the game

Loved what i seen from torres happy hes with us

[minya]

Okay before this gets into one of your I hate Bradley, he sucks posts, on the goal is was partly his fault, partly Beasley's, too. Equal blame in my book. Can't pin it on one or the other. It was simply miscommunication. They both moved toward the Cuban player and they both slowed up thinking the other had him. Bradley being the trailing guy kinda made an awkward stab on the ball when he realized Beasley didn't have him. Equal blame, no excuses really just an honest mistake. Like I said, Bradley had blame but it totally wasn't on him. Nice shot by the Cuban player, though.

BTW, he won't play against T&T. The yellow earned him a suspension. He's headed back to Germany.
Bradley kicked the ball into Cuban who promptly scored. What exactly should he do to have a bad game? Score a couple of auto goals and break somebody's leg?

[Altidore_Adu_Fan]

Bradley kicked the ball into Cuban who promptly scored. What exactly should he do to have a bad game? Score a couple of auto goals and break somebody's leg?

LOL :p

[dark knight]

No doubts he will start the next game ahead of Edu.

If he starts next game there might be something to those nepotism charges. :)

This isn't the - I have an axe to grind with a player thread - feel free to contribute ratings to other players.

[m vann]

Bradley kicked the ball into Cuban who promptly scored. What exactly should he do to have a bad game? Score a couple of auto goals and break somebody's leg?

Look, all I said it that he wasn't totally to blame. I didn't say he had no blame. No excuses; he should of done better and Beasley should have, too. One play doesn't determine and good game from bad. I think Bradley had a decent game. Perfect, no, stand out, no but effective and that's what I ask for. It's matter of opinion. You may agree. You may disagree.

[Maximum Optimal]

Bradley kicked the ball into Cuban who promptly scored. What exactly should he do to have a bad game? Score a couple of auto goals and break somebody's leg?

Depends on the quality of the auto goals. Would have to be of at least the same caliber as the Agoos goal against Portugal.

[portiere]

From my view at RFK

Ching 6 Played his part well, good job holding up the ball on LD's goal
LD 7 Did so much right tonight

Beas 8 great goals, good assist, dangerous all night. MotM
Dempsey 4.5 Poor except for the assist.
M Bradley 4 First instinct seems to be to foul. Hands all over Cuba players when there was no need. Stupid yellow. At fault on the goal.
SK 6.5 Nice vision, composed, played some very good balls

Pearce 5.5
Boca 6 solid
Gooch 6.5 Solid + a goal
Steve C 5.5 Good getting forward but let his man get inside him and wanted offside on the goal.

Howard 5.5

Josy 5.5 Nice goal, movement off the ball could use some work
Torres 6 this kid is going to be good
Freddy NR

[HooInLondon]

From my seat in section 237:

Howard, 5 - Wasn't tested except on the goal, on which he was probably too far off his line. That said, it was a perfect strike from the Cuban, nicking the underside of the bar.

Defense:

Pearce, 7 - Solid on defense, though a little unconvincing on a few tackles. Got into the attack well. I was screaming bloody murder for Bradley to get to ball to him out wide on Donovan's goal. Bradley didn't see it, but Ching did.

Bocanegra, 7 - Solid.

Onyewu, 8 - Gets extra credit for the goal. He was very composed on the ball, which was good to see.

Cherundolo, 6 - Solid, but contributed less on the attack than Pearce, which surprised me.

Midfield:

Bradley, 5 - Weak challenge on the Cuban goal, another rash yellow, and no vision going forward. Except for Dempsey and his lead foot, Bradley had me steaming more than anyone else (like on the run up to Donovan's goal) because it was like he was playing with blinders on. Some think he was setting the pace, a la Reyna, but I just think he was killing the attack with his tunnel vision. He would make the safest possible pass every time, backwards more often than not.

Kljestan, 7 - A few too many giveaways to earn an 8, but he was very solid and did everything Bradley didn't in the attack. He should've had the goal, too, when his header beat the keeper; Ching took that one from him.

Beasley, 8 - Some poor touches, but can't knock 2 goals. Great to see him combining so well with Donovan.

Donovan, 8 - He and Kljestan seemed to be the only ones who came to play early on. Thankfully Beasley, after 10 minutes, came alive, too, and the goals started coming.

Forwards:

Ching, 6 - Stole the goal from Kljestan, but did well winning balls in the air.

Dempsey, 5 - He really deserves a 4, but I'll give him a 5 for his set up on Altidore's goal (I believe that was him on Altidore's goal). His touch was terrible all night. I'm shocked he went the full 90.

Substitutes:

Altidore, 7 - Used his body very well. Could've had two, though 1 goal in barely more than 20 minutes is a great contribution off the bench.

Torres, 6 - Looked a little nervous early. I couldn't miss his heavy, nervous sigh before taking a corner soon after coming on. (I was maybe 30 feet away.) But he started to get comfortable and showed more pace than I expected and was quick on the ball.

Adu, 7 - Again, like Altidore, what can you really ask for from a substitute? He came on and gift wrapped a goal for Onyewu in his 15 minutes. Didn't turn the ball over, combined well with the other kids in the middle; definitely showed that he's ready to play more minutes.

[sidefootsitter]

I'd go with the above rating, except for Ching's.

The guy was awful the entire first half.

I was counting his touches for a while. IIRC, he had 8 touches and they resulted in 8 lost balls.

He partially redeemed himself with a secondary assist but was probably offside on his goal (the Galavision guys thought he was definitely offside).

I'd give him a "3".

Mike Bradley gets a "4" (OK, second exception).

Bob gets a "4", as well.

The formation in the second half was idiotic, as everyone was crowding the middle with very little flank play.

[asdf2]

My overriding thought from tonight's game was for the first time I can envision us being a good team if Landon Donovan was down injured. The main reason is Sasha. But also the glimpse of Torres and the first qualifier for Adu. I've never seen us with so many attack minded midfielders in one match. Good stuff.

Ching - I'm surprised he's not getting much higher ratings on this thread. He had a key role in each of the first 3 goals (if this were an MLS game he clearly would have had 3 of those secondary assists they give). Oddly he had a fairly useless role in the 4th goal which he headed in though it was going in anyway, but then again, that's exactly what you are supposed to do - take no chances and bang it in.

Donovan - plenty said above. Great match.

Sasha - very exciting player. I do worry that he'll need to sit a lot in the next round vs. tougher competition we'll need more of a ball winner next to Bradley.

Bradley - was fine but has become too much of an automatic in the line up. He hasn't earned that. Why does he play 90 while Edu sits?

Beasley - very good match. The first goal in particular changed the match.

Dempsey - off and on fine. A very good save kept him from another goal. He looks better of late, but if Sasha has to sit I could see Dempsey sitting instead. I think he's a step faster than Sasha though.

Pearce - good match. But his pace still worries me vs. better and faster opponents.

Gooch - what the heck was he doing up there on that goal?!? Drew what should have been a PK on another attack. Good defensively in what little he had to do. Good match.

Boca - fine match but he could have spend half the game on the toilet reading the Washington Post and we wouldn't have noticed the difference.

Dolo - fine.

Howard - fine. Heck of a strike beat him on that goal.

Adu and Torres - nice flashes.

Altidore - looked great but so has Ching of late especially tonight.

Opponent - not very good and pretty bad with 10. Mistake prone at the back and never looked dangerous. Great goalkeeping.

[asdf2]

I'd go with the above rating, except for Ching's.

The guy was awful the entire first half.

I was counting his touches for a while. IIRC, he had 8 touches and they resulted in 8 lost balls.

He partially redeemed himself with a secondary assist but was probably offside on his goal (the Galavision guys thought he was definitely offside).


Ching had 3 secondary assists. Not a stat I particularly like. But he 3 on the first 3 goals.

[Kevin8833]

So this basically proves what a lot of us have been saying all along. Howard, Onyewu, and Donovan plus a bunch of young guns is the way to go.