It wasn’t a vintage performance by the States by any stretch of the imagination in Wednesday night's 2-2 draw with Mexico. The wear and tear on the European players was evident in a few of the performances, while other players just looked as if they were out of season.
Despite conceding most of the possession and many of the important chances, Bob Bradley’s side still managed to tally twice (and it should have been three but for Dempsey’s phantom foul) and proved incisive at points.
One major negative for the States: fullback play. On the whole, it was wretched. Thankfully, Bradley can call on his starters when World Cup qualifying starts, but there are significant questions about depth in those positions after this contest.
On to the ratings:
(1-10, with 5 being average)
GK Tim Howard – 7 – Man of the Match
Confident and assured on his line, Howard inspires confidence behind an uninspiring backline. Does well with crosses and commands everything in the penalty area. Continues to improve and will cement the number one shirt for the foreseeable future.
LB Ramiro Corrales – 3.5
Decent in possession and uses his traits as a former holding midfielder well. The positives in possession are outweighed by concerns on the defensive end. Corrales is slow of foot and got beat around the corner multiple times. His propensity to foul indiscriminately (I counted three in and around the box, including one near the death) would pose problems in a more significant game. Surely there are better options for higher level games?
CD Oguchi Onyewu – 5.5
It looks more and more likely that Onyewu is the steadier of the two center backs, which is a surprising statement given Onyewu’s performances over the past year. Onyewu’s distribution set up Dempsey’s non-goal. His goal was well-taken and displayed the efficacy of his long throw. Once again, the hulking centerback dominated everything in the air. He’s an automatic choice for any contest against Mexico.
CD Carlos Bocanegra – 4
Bocanegra’s persistent lack of awareness has hurt him with both club and country. The Fulham defender’s collision with Howard early in the first half was indicative of his lack of communication. Also worth noting is his poorly conceded corner kick that led to Mexico’s second goal. Is Bocanegra a long term solution at centerback or will his future lie on the outside to compete with Bornstein for the left back berth?
RB Drew Moor – 4
Moor had the start in his back pocket: he was the only right back on the roster. Moor’s service was consistently fantastic. His cross for Altidore’s goal was world-class. Defensively, Moor got beaten consistently by the pacy Carlos Vela and Jonny Magallon scored both goals while being marked by Moor on dead balls. Despite his obvious flaws and his role as a proverbial turnstile, Moor did interject himself crucially in a couple of threatening situations (the 60th minute deflection being the best, with a 39th minute header away from danger coming second). Moor’s lack of pace limits his future at this level, but Steve Cherundolo’s presence means Moor will only play a cameo role. On this evidence, that’s probably a good thing.
LM Bobby Convey – 4.5
Another non-descript performance from the Reading winger. Did some nice things when he ventured inside, but he didn’t see enough of the ball.
CM Ricardo Clark – 5
A quiet, solid performance turned in without frills or incisiveness. Considering he hasn’t played much competitive soccer over the past five months, Clark did well to rise to the level and showed consistently better than his midfield partner. Clark needs to show more of the two-way play that makes him one of the best options in the middle.
CM Michael Bradley – 4
Poor performance from the younger Bradley as he picked up a needless yellow card at the end of the first half and conceded most of the space he controlled in central midfield. Bradley earned some leeway after carrying his Dutch side for most of the season, but he still needs to calm down the temperament in games like these.
RM Landon Donovan – 5.5
The right-midfield experiment works when Donovan sees enough of the ball. On the ball, Donovan continues to be the most dangerous American player on the field. Donovan won his battle with Carlos Salcido and tempted the Mexican left back into a poor challenge to draw a yellow card. Yet it’s to be determined whether Donovan will have enough influence on the contest out on the wing, even if right midfield may be his best natural fit.
FW Jozy Altidore – 6
He’s ready. The cool finish from Moor’s cross showed that. Altidore’s pace and power will trouble defenses at this level and it’s easy to see why European teams drool over the Red Bulls forward. This performance should ensure Altidore vaults over Taylor Twellman and Brian Ching and stakes a place for more consistent game time.
FW Clint Dempsey – 5
Dempsey struggled to impact the game aside from the goal that never was. Dempsey is probably better playing just behind a dangerous runner like Altidore, but he needs to see more of the ball than he did. The goal showed why Dempsey is a first-choice starter; the Americans haven’t had a player with the hubris to do what Dempsey does since Clint Mathis.
Substitutes
MF Benny Feilhaber (Bradley, 62) – 5
Needs games badly.
MF Maurice Edu (Clark, 79) – NR
MF Eddie Lewis (Convey, 70) – 5
It’s curious to call Lewis in to play a cameo role at this stage in his career.
FW Freddy Adu (Dempsey, 63) – 5.5
Adu’s willingness and ability to run at defenders could see him earn a substitute’s role during qualifying.