Seventeen Yanks noticed the sphere in Wednesday evening’s 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic, and ASN contributing editor Blake Thomsen has rankings for every one in every of them.
BY
Blake Thomsen
Posted
September 04, 2014
10:28 AM
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STARTERS
Brad Guzan: Guzan did effectively in his first sport because the (tentative) U.S. first-choice keeper. He wasn’t examined an excessive amount of in his one half of motion, however he appeared sturdy when known as upon. Score: 6
Fabian Johnson: Johnson has been one of many U.S.’s most constant performers since his debut in 2011, and he delivered extra of the identical at proper again tonight. It wasn’t his most dazzling of attacking nights, however he nonetheless bought ahead effectively and likewise did his job defensively, particularly on a nifty interception early within the second half. Score: 6
Michael Orozco: Giant pockets of U.S. followers like to hate Orozco however he appeared strong tonight within the first half alongside John Brooks. Nonetheless, one has to surprise how sensible it’s to play a 28-year-old middle again with restricted potential for future impression as a substitute of, say, Will Packwood. Score: 6
John Brooks: All through the sport, Brooks used his elite dimension and athleticism to close down Czech assaults. And his essential sliding interception within the twentieth minute was really world class. As we noticed within the second half towards Ghana in Brazil, the U.S. has a possible middle again star within the combine. Score: 7
Timmy Chandler: The Chandler at left again experiment appeared significantly better towards the Czechs than it did in any of the pre-World Cup friendlies. After a efficiency like this, it’s not laborious to see why Jurgen Klinsmann charges him so extremely. However can we see it extra constantly, please? Score: 6
Joe Corona: Corona didn’t do something distinctive, and maybe may have finished higher on a presentable early likelihood, however general he did a fantastic job in the midst of the pitch. He definitely performed effectively sufficient to remain within the image transferring ahead. Score: 6
Combine Diskerud: This was one in every of Diskerud’s strongest begins for the U.S., and a really encouraging show to construct on transferring ahead. With no destroyer behind him, he needed to do extra defensive work than he would have appreciated to, however he nonetheless managed to contribute fairly a bit offensively, most notably on his interception and ensuing shot that Petr Cech spilled to Alejandro Bedoya. Score: 7
Alejandro Bedoya: Bedoya is changing into one of many extra dependable performers within the U.S. participant pool, which is slightly shocking provided that he solely got here again into the nationwide staff fold with final summer season’s Gold Cup. However his work fee is constantly immense, and he’s all the time energetic within the last third, even when his passing is probably not of Diskerud’s caliber. He was rewarded for his efforts with an opportunistic successful purpose. Score: 6.5
Joe Gyau: If rankings have been primarily based on potential, Gyau’s rating could be significantly greater. The energetic winger has blazing tempo (future DeAndre Yedlin and Gyau proper flank, anybody?), however—and cease me in case you’ve heard this earlier than concerning a U.S. prospect—his passing high quality and choice making may use some enchancment. Score: 5.5
Jozy Altidore: Inside minutes, U.S. followers have been delivered a merciless reminder of what the Yanks missed out on in Brazil, as Altidore confirmed off his ever-improving holdup play. It could have been good to see him get a number of presentable alternatives in entrance of internet, however we’ll have to attend till Altidore has extra skilled teammates round him. Score: 6
Julian Inexperienced: The temptation is to fee Inexperienced exceptionally harshly, nevertheless it’s necessary to do not forget that he’s nonetheless an adolescent. Towards the Czechs, the questionable choices outnumbered the flashes of high quality, however there have been nonetheless sufficient of the latter to maintain the hype prepare (justifiably) rolling. Score: 5.5
SUBSTITUTES
Nick Rimando: At seemingly each nationwide staff alternative, Rimando exhibits that he’s a darn good keeper—and he did that once more tonight. Sure, he has not often confronted top-level opposition, nevertheless it says loads that the U.S. is 13-0-2 in his 15 caps. Score: 8
Tim Ream: A lot have been calling for Ream to play a much bigger function within the final World Cup cycle, and, on the idea of his second-half displaying towards the Czechs, it’s straightforward to see why. Ream checked out ease from his first minute of motion, and he was a vital determine in sustaining the clear sheet below late Czech strain. Score: 7
Greg Garza: In lower than half an hour of motion, we weren’t capable of see an excessive amount of from Garza. With that stated, it was positively good to see a real left again go well with up for the U.S. for the primary time in what looks like a decade, and he appeared like the kind of participant who may have an enormous function to play on this cycle. Score: 6
Brek Shea: Oh, Brek Shea. The winger is such a tantalizing proposition together with his tempo and dimension however, but once more, issues didn’t actually come collectively for him in his 30 or so minutes, as he was wasteful in possession repeatedly. Score: 4
Alfredo Morales: Morales appeared helpful in his temporary time on the sphere—he’s positively bought some Jermaine Jones in him together with his tenacity and athleticism (and the late yellow as effectively, after all). Score: 6
Emerson Hyndman: As Fulham followers have famous, Hyndman has a presence about him that belies his 18 years. U.S. followers bought the primary glimpse of that tonight. He didn’t do something notably noteworthy, however he definitely appears the half. It’s laborious to see something however a really shiny future forward of the teen. Score: 6.0
THE COACH
Jurgen Klinsmann: Kudos to Klinsmann for emphasizing attacking play pre-match after which getting his males to ship. It could not have been a four-goal outing, however one can solely ask a lot of such an inexperienced attacking group on the street towards strong European opposition. And, as is all the time the case in friendlies, the model was way more necessary than the consequence. Score: 6.5
OK, these are our rankings. Now we need to see yours. It is simple with our interactive Participant Scores software. Do it.
Blake Thomsen is a contract author and ASN contributor. Comply with him on Twitter and let him know what you assume.
