Rate the players Rimando: 7 made a few good saves, couldn't have done much on the goals Beltran: 6 wasn't terrible, didnt do much to stand out, good cross on the 2nd goal Gonzales: 4 Besler: 6.5 thought he was solid, not sure why he was subbed off Parkhurst: 6.5 Did a good job defensively and got involved in many of the passing sequences Zusi: 6 Thought his passing was good in the first half, didn't notice him too much in the 2nd. Did surrender a bad corner which led to a goal Bradley: 8.5 Was world class in the 1st half, solid 2nd half. Got the goal, an assist, made a bunch of tackles and was the orchestrator in the middle Beckerman: 6.7 Very good 1st half, quieter in the 2nd Davis: 5 Good free kick, not much else Dempsey: 6.5 Was involved in some dangerous chances including the 2nd goal, made some crafty plays Wondo: 7.7 Got the goal, good movement and passing throughout the game. May have earned a spot to Brazil subs: Donovan-5.8 Yedlin- 6.2 Green-2- Didn't look ready and almost injured himself out of nervousness. The mistakes he made would probably cost us goals in Brazil Goodson-5 Edu- 6 EJ-6 Robbed of a goal, otherwise not a great stint
Rimando 7.5 Made four or five saves, two of them were excellent. Not at fault for either of the goals. We could have lost that game by a wide margin if not for this man. Beltran 6.5 Held his ground and had a great cross leading to the second goal Gonzo (what number is a frowny sad face?) Gonzo's Popcorn 6.5 his bag of popcorn was vital for supplying Gonzo with something to do while Mexico scored goals. His popcorn got in the game often and was always present during important defensive sequences. Besler 6 Passed well, marked well, did not share Gonzo's popcorn. Parkhurst 6 looked like he belonged in the game. Connected well with the midfield in many of the first half build-up sequences. Got forward often but didn't pan out once he got in final third. Zusi 6.5 first half was in beast mode, Beltran would have looked very poor if Zusi was not in front of him. Would have rated him higher if not for the "safe" header. However, at least he tracked back to defend, just didn't pan out. Not his fault on the set piece, just his fault that there was a set piece. Bradley 666 \m/ Bradley gets the mark of the beast for being able to transcend the laws of physics and be in multiple places at once. There is not one area of the game he did not excel. Passing, vision, late death runs, defense, and leading through example. How could any one on the US team look at B-rad's effort and not be motivated to do better? Beckerman 7 He allowed Brad to do what Brad did. Played his role well and in the first half was both a pressure valve and the link between defense and midfield. He got a little popcorn in his dreads on the Marquez goal, but not sure if he shares in the blame or not. After that play he was not the same for the rest of his time on the pitch. Davis 5.5 He has a great left foot. Dempsey 6 Dempsey might have seemed anonymous, but he was part of all those great passing sequences in the first half and created some great chances. Great assist and pulled a tricky little move in the box that didn't pan out. One thing is for sure, Dempsey's shoes are the most thoroughly tied shoes on planet Earth. Wwondo 7 Superp goal aside, Wwondo was pressing defenders, making slide tackles, and linking up with midfielders well. Imagine if others would try as hard. Heart is a huge asset and helps make his case. Subs Donovan 5.5 the last 15 minutes showed flashes. Looked winded. I have confused emotions on this. Yedlin 6 He is fast. Man he can run. Did I mention how fast Yedlin is? Looks like he is playing an offense is the best defense type of game. I like it, needs time to grow. Green 4 Young, scared, thrown into an intense rivalry. Looked shocked to be pushed around. Gave up passes. He did run at defenders and got into dangerous positions. Also earned a dangerous free kick that was so dangerous the ref thought it would be unfair for the Mexicans. Can see why JK worked hard to get him. Needs time. Goodson 6 He was not OG Edu 6.5 Looked to command the DM position for the short time he was there. Looks mean and intimidating and made some brutal challenges. EJ 6 Robbed of a goal, forgot that he is not Messi and should have passed to a wide open Duece (?). Stay classy EJ
GK Rimando: 7 - Played a very solid game LB Parkhurst: 6 - Sometimes too enterprising with the ball, but nothing criminal in attack or defense CB Besler: 6 - Had one awkward slide-challenge that harmlessly fell to Rimando, but was otherwise competent CB Gonzalez: 4 - Beckerman was equally at fault for the first goal, but his ball-watching on the second was unforgivable. RB Beltran: 5.5 - Not so bad, actually. Didn't look like he belonged, but he dealt well with nearly every challenge DM Beckerman: 5.5 - Positionally pristine except on the Marquez goal, but his inability to aid Bradley in the second half with possession was noticeable CM Bradley: 8 - Just physically dominated in the first half. He ably dealt with tons of hospitable balls sent his way by his mates. Scored and assisted. But his second half was pretty quiet LM Davis: 5.5 - Played the ball quickly and cleverly, but it's hard to say he was that influential. Also packaged a few miscues with his tikki-takka. RM Zusi: 5 - Not sure what everyone else saw with Zusi. He slowed the ball down with nearly all his touches and seemingly refused to cross the ball into decent situations. His defense was okay but nothing remarkable. CAM Dempsey: 6.5 - Positive and active throughout, but aside from the goal disallowed, Mexico contained him. ST Wondolowski: 6.5 - His ideas were pure, but it's hard not to see his shortcomings. RM Donovan: 5.5 - Didn't like his mode of operation. Sat too deep and played pretty slowly until the last ten minutes of the match. Could be out of shape LM Green: 5 - Had at least 3 unfortunate touches, but he looked capable and aggressive. Not sure what everyone is so down about, given our other options after Fabian Johnson DM Edu: 5 - Lost a lot of 50/50 challenges, but at least his mind was right. CB Goodson: 5 - How many times will Clarence allow his man to receive the ball? I know he's in our top 4 at minimum, but I have no idea how some people are clamoring for him to start ST Johnson: 6 - Very active and the attack seemed to pick up after he came on, but much of what wasn't impressive enough to account for anything RB Yedlin: 7 - Not a step wrong, and many of those were very fast steps.
This game left me seriously considering Wondo for 23 for the first time. This may be way out in left field, but based on our lack of talent at the position, Yedlin is my starter for Brazil. I do not think pure speed can be overrated at that position. I thought he was a little lazy tracking players on defense a couple of times, but I'm just in love with what he can do going forward.
Rimando: 7.5 He's very good. Not as good as Howard or Guzan. Beltran: 4 Was useless. If we're going to play a diamond we need our fullbacks to provide width. He offered ZERO going forward and was often caught out of position. Gonzales: 6 I think he's getting it harsh around here. Dealt with every single ball in the air very well. Beckerman was equally at fault for first goal and 2nd goal bounced right to the Mexico man. Besler: 7 solid. He also has speed which is why he's going to play at the WC. Parkhurst: 7.5 cant remember him doing anything wrong and got forward a lot, offered more on the wing than the guy playing in front of him did. Zusi: 6 I expect more from him now. Didn't get wide at all and although he's got a good touch and makes good passes, he didn't get wide to deliver his excellent crosses. Bradley: 9.5 Absolutely brilliant. All action display Beckerman: 6.5 Great first half, but gave the ball away maybe one too many times for my liking. Not sure he's quick enough to play there at WC Davis: 4 Useless. If we could sub him on for his left foot at set pieces that would be great. But we can't. He's too slow, doesn't get wide. Dempsey: 6.5 Seemed to pick and choose his moments. I still think he should be out on the wing. Wondo: 8 Great goal, some good passing. Could hold the ball up a bit better. Subs: Donovan: 6 Similar to Zusi, he drifted in and out. Actually started trying late on. Yedlin: 7 Wasn't on the field for long, but you have to wonder how he didn't start over Beltran. Offered way more going forward and his speed helped his recovery. Way better than his last outing. Green: 5.5 A few bobs and tricks. He's not ready but I can see the potential. Goodson: 6.5 Made some great blocks out there but I'm not sure we need two big trees back there. Whoever compliments Besler stays IMO Edu: 6 Almost too short to grade, but made some good passes. EJ: 7 Scored a great goal, held the ball up better than Wondo IMO
GK Rimando: 7 - Played a very solid game RB Beltran: 5.5 - Not so bad, actually. Didn't look like he belonged, but he dealt well with nearly every challenge Gonzo (what number is a frowny sad face?) Besler: 7 solid. He also has speed which is why he's going to play at the WC. Parkhurst: 7.5 cant remember him doing anything wrong and got forward a lot, offered more on the wing than the guy playing in front of him did. BECKERMAN: 5.5 - Not fast enough for World Cup level. Does a decent job of covering with a 2nd CM but if that CM leaves........ Bradley 666 \m/ Bradley gets the mark of the beast for being able to transcend the laws of physics and be in multiple places at once. There is not one area of the game he did not excel. Passing, vision, late death runs, defense, and leading through example. How could any one on the US team look at B-rad's effort and not be motivated to do better? Zusi: 6 I expect more from him now. Didn't get wide at all and although he's got a good touch and makes good passes, he didn't get wide to deliver his excellent crosses. Davis: 5 Good free kick, not much else DEMPSEY: 7.5 - Was the best midfielder who isn't the son of our former head coach. I just don't understand all the criticism he get's. Was involved in all of our chances, played advanced and came back to receive passes, and helped mark. He's a known threat and will always be multi-marked, kicked, and knocked down...comes with the territory, ask CR7...still managed to look good and had some amazing passes/moves. Our captain for a reason. "Dempsey's shoes are the most thoroughly tied shoes on planet Earth."....damn right! Wwondo 7 Superp goal aside, Wwondo was pressing defenders, making slide tackles, and linking up with midfielders well. Imagine if others would try as hard. Heart is a huge asset and helps make his case. Subs: Donovan: 5.5 - Didn't like his mode of operation. Sat too deep and played pretty slowly until the last ten minutes of the match. Could be out of shape Green: 5.5 - Had at least 3 unfortunate touches, but he looked capable and aggressive. Not sure what everyone is so down about, given our other options after Fabian Johnson Goodson 6 He was not OG Johnson: 6 - Very active and the attack seemed to pick up after he came on, but much of what wasn't impressive enough to account for anything Edu: 5 - Lost a lot of 50/50 challenges, but at least his mind was right. Yedlin- 6.2
Disappointing turnout for US-MEX clash. Most of my sources did write opinion columns but only about half did ratings. Average of 11: Bradley - 8.5 Wondolowski - 7.0 Rimando - 6.7 Beckerman - 6.7 Besler - 6.5 Parkhurst - 6.4 Dempsey - 6.2 Zusi - 6.1 Yedlin - 6.0 Edu - 5.9 Johnson - 5.7 Goodson - 5.7 Donovan - 5.6 Davis - 5.4 Beltran - 5.3 Green - 5.1 Gonzalez - 4.5 They got it pretty much right.
This is perhaps a tad unfair. All caps ZERO? Really? I wouldn't say he was spectacular, but his run and cross that led to the second goal were something slightly greater than zero, methinks...
Bradley - 8.5 Comprehensive Parkhurst - 7.5 Seen enough now to have him going, if not starting in Brazil. Besler - 7.0 Growing into a capable CB for international games. Wondolowski- 6.5 Never thought he'd be here. Is it him up or others down to his level? Rimando - 6.5- No bad grades to USMNT keepers with a revolving and disfunctional cast in front they overcome. Zusi - 6.0 Was better defensively, though the give up header for corner (1st FMF goal) was unnecessary. Yedlin - 6.0 Brought some excitement going forward Beckerman - 5.5 Really just OK Edu - 5.5 Likes to play deep, way deep. Maybe he should be a CB. Dempsey - 5.0- A second too slow with every touch, though he is a really good flopper. Simulation card in Brazil? Goodson- 5.0 Yeah, so what? Donovan- 5.0 Below average for Donovan, above average for the bulk of the pool. Green - 5.0 On review, we were way too harsh. Example-If Clint does not hesitate, Green is thru 1v1 on keeper. Johnson - 5.0 Ten back passes, two off sides, one missed free header and the obligatory step over to blunder. Gonzalez - 4.5 Not a great evening but Rimando was already beat before the rebound put back on the equalizer. Davis - 4.0 One or two set piece deliveries is not worth the rest of the aggravation he gives. Beltran - 4.0 Leyun and/or Pulido owned him. Bad play initiated sequences leading to both FMF goals. Cameron, Jones, Johanssonn, Fabian Johnson, Agudelo, Boyd, Brooks, Ream, Williams, Chandler, Packwood, Onyewu, Beasley, Evans, Howard and Guzan will be added to find the 30. 10 of the total are out for Brazil.
^ I'd say this is pretty close to right on..might disagree with one or two here or there but overall a very good rundown