Tim Howard (8) - Made several big saves and did an excellent job not to parry away Dos Santos' shot. Made a nice diving save on Chaco Gimenez earlier in the first half as well. He kept the team composed and even had some nice bits of distribution. It's games like this where Timmy reminds us why he's still our #1 keeper. Fabian Johnson (4) - Fab is one of my favorite players, but boy, this was not his finest game. He lined up at RB and looked out of place from the get go; spraying errant passes, losing possession, and just looking like a fish out of water. Was subbed out at half time with a hamstring injury and the team looked decidedly better. Omar Gonzalez (7.5) - He had some nervy moments in the first half but really redeemed himself after that. He was dominant in the air and made an important defensive play to take away a big breakaway opportunity for Mexico. He showcased some very nice passing and build up play out of the back in the second half. Omar has looked better with the Galaxy since signing the DP contract and he carried that form into tonight. Clarence Goodson (7.5) - Big C came through big when called upon yet again this year. He ate up anything that came at him in the air and was a handful on set pieces and allowed EJ to score the opener. He's not the first choice but is proving that he's a reliable backup and a guy you can always count on. He and Omar communicated well tonight and held a solid line. DaMarcus Beasley (5) - It wasn't Beaz's best game as he looked shaky on defense and made some poor decisions after making threatening runs forward. He looked shaky whiffing a clearance and almost scored an own goal but he was more composed as the game went on. It's clear that this position needs to be evaluated and Beaz isn't a lock for this position just yet. Jermaine Jones (7) - Sometimes it's justified and sometimes it's unfair, but JJ always seems to draw the ire of our fans when things aren't going our way. Yes, he wasted possession a few times but he made a huge play to deny Dos Santos in the box and did a lot of dirty work that goes unnoticed in the midfield. Love him or hate, there's no denying that he leaves it out there every time he steps out there in a US shirt. Kyle Beckerman (6.5) - Dreads' lack of pace hurt him at times and forced him to commit fouls and chase shadows in the midfield. Still, he's a solid lynchpin in the midfield and you know what you're going to get from him more often than not. Having this guy as a 4th or 5th option in the midfield is a luxury. Alejandro Bedoya (6) - Was inserted into a starting spot over Zusi, most likely because of his athleticism and physicality, and put in a blue collar shift. He could have done better to get off a few crosses but he sent a dangerous ball in for EJ and hustled most of the game. His time at Nantes should only continue to improve his game. Clint Dempsey (6) - Our captain was the one guy that was really trying to force the issue and make something happen in the first half so I've got to give him points for that. He had a few deflected efforts that very well could have ended up in the back of the net. As for that penalty miss...who cares? Dos A Cero. Landon Donovan (7) - Pink eye and all, LD showed why he's a US Soccer icon. He sealed the deal by putting himself in the right place in the right time as we've grown accustomed to over the years. He's playing as well as he ever has and we should hope he carries that into Brazil. Eddie Johnson (8.5) - This was one of the best all around games I've seen EJ play against a tough opponent. His hold up play was sublime, he almost scored in the first half and made no mistake on his second chance. He answered the call and we didn't miss a beat without Jozy. Bravo GAM, bravo. MOTM Substitutes: Michael Parkhurst (6.5) - He was solid defensively and had some forays forward without getting caught out of position. We looked significantly better with a natural RB in that position. He needs to find a club where he plays regularly if he wants to go to Brazil though. Mix Diskerud (7) - He made an instant impact by coming on and winning back possession and then followed it up with a clever touch to free himself into space and sent in a great low cross to set up LD's clincher. I think Mix is a good bet to make the trip to Brazil . Graham Zusi (N/A) Jurgen Klinsmann - 8 - I like the lineup choices JK made and he worked his substitution magic again as Mix made an impact upon entering.
Any chance Dempsey missed that penalty on purpose? Keep the tradition strong and keep the fear in their heads. Dos a Cero!!!
ej, very good goal, and nicely dribbled himself out of trouble but in terms of hold up play cept for the back heel quite weak / 7- Beasley was very decent and so was fab jon Dempsey was weak imo 5
Howard 7.0 couple of great saves early. Solid and commanding Beasley. 6.5 gets forward nicely, still concerns me defensively Gonzalez 7.5 His best game as a Nat, poised and confident Goodson 7.5 smooth, alert and determined. Impressive F. Johnson 5.5 decent, but looked awkward and uncomfortable on the right. Parkhurst 5.0 adequate defensively, offered little going forward Jones 6.0 started out trying to do a bit too much, settled down nicely Beckerman 5.5 limited but hardworking Donovan 8.0 caused problems all night, very difficult matchup, MOTM Bedoya 5.5 worked hard, played out of position, did fine Dempsey 6.0 sometimes tries to do too much, accepts a lot of responsibility, very willful and determined E Johnson 7.0 nice goal, does not work hard or think ahead Also: Diskerud 7.0 great work on the cross to Donovan, still evolving. Zusi nr
Howard 2 Beasley 2 Gonzalez 2 Goodson 2 F. Johnson 2 Parkhurst 2 Jones 2 Beckerman 2 Donovan 2 Bedoya 2 Dempsey 2 E Johnson 2 Diskerud 2 Zusi 2
Howard Brazil Beasley Brazil Gonzalez Brazil Goodson Brazil F. Johnson Brazil Parkhurst Brazil Jones Brazil Beckerman Brazil Donovan Brazil Bedoya Brazil Dempsey Brazil E Johnson Brazil Diskerud Brazil Zusi Brazil
Corona 0 Salcido 0 Reyes 0 Arce 0 Giminez 0 Dos Santos 0 Hernandez 0 Moreno 0 Zavala 0 Guardado 0 Mier 0 Reyna 0 Herrera 0 Peralta 0
Tim Howard (6) Fabian Johnson (5) Omar Gonzalez (6.5) Clarence Goodson (6) DaMarcus Beasley (5.5) Jermaine Jones (6.5) Kyle Beckerman (6.5) Alejandro Bedoya (5.5) Clint Dempsey (5.5) Landon Donovan (6) Eddie Johnson (6) Substitutes: Michael Parkhurst (6) Mix Diskerud (NR) Graham Zusi (NR)
Tim Howard (7) Fabian Johnson (5) Omar Gonzalez (6.5) Clarence Goodson (6.5) DaMarcus Beasley (5.5) Jermaine Jones (6.5) Kyle Beckerman (6.5) Alejandro Bedoya (7) Clint Dempsey (5) Landon Donovan (7.5) Eddie Johnson (6.5) Substitutes: Michael Parkhurst (6) Mix Diskerud (7) Graham Zusi (NR)
Dempsey is a tough one. He had too many plays where he lowered his head and charged like a bull into 3 defenders, tried to draw a foul and free kick, ended up on his, losing the ball, and Mexico started a quick counter while he complained to the ref. I find it amazing that someone who can be so creative with the ball, and the guy who "tries $hit" the most for the US, does that $hit the most too.
Numerical formula I'd whipped up for MLS match ratings based on Opta stats and corrected for playing time. More "contribution" ratings than performance actually, as playing time is a factor, and guy who don't go 90 have their score adjusted (so that guys who come in at the 90th minute and make two or three good plays in stoppage time don't have an inflated score). Considers all players on the field for both teams and weights players accordingly. Only seeming discrepency is Reyes, who statistically performed quite well, but Mexican media seems to lay blame for poor defending on him. High marks and Man of the Match to Donovan for the goal and assist. Dempsey would be higher had he not whiffed the unimportant PK. edit - Tweeked Reyes rating a little, made the US look slightly better.
True. I actually did arbitrarily tweak ratings for attacking/defending bonuses, but did not give Reyes a negative as I couldn't recall who it was. Maybe harsh to fault him too much on the EJ goal, there was so much going in to the box. The US did set pieces really well. Dinging Reyes 1 point for defending would drop him to 5.5. Dinging him 2 points brings him down to 5.2. Small matter, really, and ratings are always going to be subjective in some aspect anyway.
Given your other scores, was this meant to be a 6? He certainly was on the field long enough to make an impact...
Yes, he had a strong impact, but I don't feel he was on the field long enough to be rated. Simply not enough touches.
Dempsey was in a very tough spot. Jones and Beckerman played almost strictly as "6"s and offered the attack no runs. Same for the fullbacks.
Better late than never? Consolidation of 15 Published Ratings: Howard - 7.5 Donovan - 7.2 EJohnson - 7.0 Jones - 7.0 Diskerud - 6.8 Goodson - 6.8 Gonzalez - 6.8 Beckerman - 6.1 Parkhurst - 6.1 Beasley - 6.1 Bedoya - 6.1 Dempsey - 5.8 FJohnson - 5.5 Zusi - NR It ain't right that Howard tops this list, but other than that it's on.
I have no problem with Howard being listed first. I had Donovan as my MOTM, but Howard was outstanding. He's been incredibly sharp since looking very average against CR.
Howard 0 Beasley 1 Gonzalez 2 Goodson 3 F. Johnson 5 Parkhurst 8 Jones 13 Beckerman 21 Donovan 34 Bedoya 55 Dempsey 89 E Johnson 144 Diskerud 233 Zusi 377