U.S. player ratings vs. Mexico (scale of 1-10):
GK, Tim Howard, 5 - Although he did not officially register a save, he was quick to react on crosses and organized his defense well. Couldn't really do anything about that goal.
D, Steve Cherundolo, 5 - Looked a little out of form and rusty, which makes sense since he hasn't played since being injured in the Gold Cup Final. Lacked touch on his passes going forward. That said, he locked down his side of the field on defense, not an easy task against Mexico
D, Carlos Bocanegra, 6.5 - I have never been a big fan of Bocanegra's. He is solid, but sometimes slow to react or close down defenders. Not so on this night, he closed hard and tackled very well. He was the best defender we had on the field. A little bit more placement on his header and we would celebrating a victory.
D, Michael Orozco Fiscal, 5 - Was shaky at the beginning of the game and ceded possession too often, but his positioning was very good, and he won a lot of balls in the air for his apparent lack of size. Once he calmed down his distribution was better, but still nothing to write home about.
D, Edgar Castillo, 4 - He was playing against Barrera and didn't give away two goals, so that is about two goals better than Bornstein. He looked out of sorts and did get turned around sometimes, and his movement and distribution going forward were suspect at best. Still, the back four was much more disciplined than what we saw in the Gold Cup, and with two of them rejoining the team from long stints in pergatory (read: Bob Bradley's doghouse), I cannot complain too loudly.
M, Jermaine Jones, 4 - He was the worst of the three starting central mids, disappearing for large portions of the game, sporadic in possession, and should have gotten on the end of Donovan's cross in the opening minutes. When the ball is crossed from the right side, you use you left foot to volley it....
M, Kyle Beckerman, 6.5 - I am an unabashed RSL fan and you can accuse me of being a homer, but I told you so! Beckerman needs to increase his speed of play. There were times when his decision came just a half second too late and resulted in a turnover, but he looks for the simple, quick, and decisive pass and then executes. His tackling and positioning were superb and he is not a card magnet, unlike most defensive mids. Certainly deserves another call-up. He was better than all 3 European-based center mids who played alonside him (Jones, Bradley, and Clark)
M, Landon Donovan, 7 - Donovan always gives a little something extra against El Tri. He was obviously more effective in the second half in a more central role, which is where I have always wanted to see him anyway. His runs wreaked havoc in the last 30 minutes and if there were any justice in this world, then he would have won that PK.
M, Michael Bradley, 5 - Looked out of place in his attacking role. He drifted too far back and was not a creative force that he should be at the top of a triangular midfield. The one time he had a defender one-on-one he dribbled straight into him. Nevertheless he put in a good shift and his passing was better than it has been at times in the pass.
M, Jose Torres, 4.5 - If it were just the first half it would be a 4, if it were just the final 30 minutes it would be a 6. He is not a wing player and should never be deployed there again. His most comfortable position is inside, and that is where he was most effective and will be most effective going forward.
F, Edson Buddle, 3.5 - His work rate was fairly high and yes he suffered from lack of service, but he did not make himself available for good service either. Would Buddle have made the run all the way to the corner flag to stretch the field that led to the goal like Agudelo did? He had a full hour and didn't move creatively like that once.
Substitutions
F, Juan Agudelo, 6.5 - Agudelo may have problems holding the ball one or two touches too long, but his willingness to go at defenders and his high work rate really created confusion along the Mexico backline. His run to the cornerflag on the throw-in was creative and his first touch layoff to Shea was superb. Should have finished his opportunities better, but put in a great half hour of football. His ball to Rogers that should have resulted in a Torrado red card was inch-perfect.
M, Brek Shea, 7 -- I wanted to see Beckerman and Shea in this game to see how they fit in Klinsmann's system. I saw both and both excelled. Shea was a revelation. His pace and physicality gave El Tri fits, and he is the reason for Rogers' goal. He finally gives us a true winger on the left and I cannot wait to see the 21-year-old grow under Klinsmann's tutelage.
M, Robbie Rogers, 6.5 - Was it an easy finish? For sure. But being in the right place at the right time is at least two-thirds of what makes a great player. All Chicharito does is be in the right place at the right time and he's an international superstar (and his finishing, but still). He put in a great shift. His technical deficiencies didn't rear their head this game but his exceptional pace added to the dynamic US attack in the final twenty minutes of the game. His only touches prior to the goal were one-touch passes in a nice exchange in the middle of the field that exhibited that he may in fact have the touch needed to play a technical style.
M, Ricardo Clark, 3 - In 10 minutes of work he did nothing except squander two very promising opportunities near the Mexico penalty box with the chance to take the lead. His shot that was way over the cross bar when the US had numbers and he could have easily played Brek Shea through one-on-one with the keeper was rather inexcusible. Do I hold a grudge? Yes, so maybe this is just me still venting from the Ghana giveaway, but still, he only reinforced his lack of decision-making in my eyes.
As a side note, as much as Steve Davis or Neil Blackmon would tell you otherwise, Clark did not play the ball to Rogers that should have seen Torrado sent off, it was Juan Agudelo. Both are great writers, they just got that one detail wrong.
