Fabian Johnson delivered his best-ever efficiency in a U.S. jersey on Sunday afternoon in Harrison, New Jersey, and some of his World Cup-bound teammates gave a superb exhibiting too.
BY
Blake Thomsen
Posted
June 01, 2014
8:20 PM
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STARTERS
Tim Howard: Regardless of the Turks’ heavy first-half stress, the guests didn’t truly do an excessive amount of to bother Howard. He made the occasional save and likewise had a number of sturdy claims on crosses. Extra medical sides—say, Ghana and Germany and Portugal, possibly?—will give him extra to do, particularly if the U.S. is ready up in the same formation in Brazil. Ranking: 6.5
Fabian Johnson: Johnson delivered his greatest efficiency in a U.S. shirt in a glowing two-way show. His protection was usually reliable and his attacking was wonderful, highlighted by a surprising first-half purpose from Michael Bradley’s attractive go. A parting thought: is Johnson’s all-out attacking sustainable in Brazil? Certainly he’s below orders from Jurgen Klinsmann to continually rise up the sphere. However does it make sense to take action in Brazil, particularly in opposition to potential left wingers Kwadwo Asamoah, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Marco Reus? One thing for Klinsmann to consider, definitely. Ranking: 8
Geoff Cameron: Cameron seemed like he’d by no means left the middle again place, standing out as the highest U.S. performer from a purely defensive standpoint. He made a number of essential clearances and was tidy on the ball as effectively. All informed, Cameron appears to be like to be in wonderful type heading into Brazil. Ranking: 7
Matt Besler: Besler wasn’t at his greatest for the second straight recreation. It have to be stated that he was beginning alongside Timothy Chandler, subsequent to whom he had by no means performed a aggressive minute earlier than, so which will have contributed to a few of his shaky moments. He did a usually good job of emergency defending, although, and may nonetheless be ok with his place heading into the World Cup. Ranking: 5.5
Timothy Chandler: Chandler had a really up-and-down efficiency. We noticed the great things: elite athleticism, some good tackles, and a goal-creating cross together with his supposedly weak left foot. However we additionally noticed some curious positioning and a horrendous error that led to Turkey’s solely purpose. Will Klinsmann belief that type of inconsistency within the World Cup? We could be taught extra after seeing the beginning lineup for Saturday’s recreation in opposition to Nigeria. Ranking: 5.5
Jermaine Jones: Jones once more did a superb job of staying disciplined, and it was the formation excess of his positioning that led to a lot Turkish stress within the first half. He loses some factors right here, although, for defending a bit too ambitiously at occasions and likewise giving the ball away cheaply extra typically than he wanted to. Ranking: 6
Graham Zusi: Zusi didn’t have his greatest day, however he’s turning into so constant that even common days are productive. As traditional, he did a wonderful job of sustaining possession on the ball, and he picked out two distinctive passes, too. An early chip excessive to Dempsey deserved higher, and so did a sweeping cross subject ball to Julian Inexperienced, who couldn’t management his contact. On the entire, Zusi confirmed why he’s an automated starter, however one feels he has much more within the tank. Ranking: 6
Brad Davis: Davis obtained an enormous likelihood on the left facet of midfield forward of Alejandro Bedoya. He responded with a strong however unspectacular efficiency, usually conserving possession of the ball but in addition usually not doing an excessive amount of with it. He did effectively to attract a number of fouls however typically seemed a step sluggish in opposition to the upper high quality opposition offered by Turkey. He additionally didn’t supply sufficient assist to Chandler down the U.S. left. All in all, he seemingly did sufficient to remain within the image for World Cup minutes. Ranking: 5.5
Michael Bradley: Bradley earns his factors right here for his attractive help and for his tireless defensive work. For the second straight recreation, he didn’t ship a constant 90-minute efficiency on the ball, as he gave away extra passes than traditional and wasn’t fairly as sharp (help apart) within the last third as he typically is. He was notably wasteful on an early give-and-go with Jozy Altidore, after which he scuffed his shot. Nonetheless, it was a strong recreation for Bradley. Time will inform if he’ll find yourself again on the tip of the diamond in future contests. Ranking: 6.5
Clint Dempsey: Dempsey was in every single place in a dynamic first half, making a number of sturdy runs and dealing laborious up entrance. And his spinning nutmeg of a Turkish defender has already change into an Web favourite. His contact was a bit off and he drained within the second half, however it was encouraging to see a energetic Dempsey again on the sphere for the Individuals after his groin harm scare. His second-half purpose required the only of finishes, however credit score to Deuce for being in the suitable place on the proper time. Ranking: 6.5
Jozy Altidore: It’s cliché to say, however actually all Altidore’s efficiency wanted was a purpose. He labored extremely laborious for 90 minutes, giving defenders hell all recreation and drawing excessive reward from Turkish supervisor Fatih Terim. Highlights included a pleasant go to Bradley that ought to have resulted in a purpose, a intelligent flick on to Dempsey that in different circumstances could have resulted in a pink card and penalty, and a pointy lower within the eightieth minute that just about led to his first purpose since December. He drew a number of fouls and was a nuisance each time the U.S. cleared a ball towards him. Critics will chastise him for passing up a scoring likelihood and crossing to Combine Diskerud as an alternative, however all in all it was Altidore’s strongest efficiency since his hat trick in Bosnia final summer season. Ranking: 7
SUBSTITUTES
Brad Guzan: Guzan confirmed simply how sturdy the U.S. goalkeeping state of affairs is with a formidable efficiency. He’s a high keeper, and he proved as a lot with a number of high quality saves. There was completely nothing he may do about Selcuk Inan’s excellent penalty—and it is price noting that Guzan guessed proper left and practically made the cease. Ranking: 6.5
John Brooks: After an early nervous second on a protracted go, Brooks recovered to ship comfortably his greatest efficiency in a U.S. shirt. He was sturdy within the air all through and showcased his plus athleticism a number of occasions, both intercepting passes or shielding off attackers. May or not it’s sufficient to provide Klinsmann one thing to consider so far as his beginning middle again pair? Most likely not, however the coach has finished crazier issues up to now. Ranking: 6.5
Kyle Beckerman: Beckerman discovered himself equally outnumbered as Jones, however for essentially the most half he did a pleasant job of protecting the again 4. Predictably, his passing was additionally a bit tidier than Jones’ was, whereas Beckerman’s lack of athleticism was exploited a couple of times. Mainly, we didn’t be taught something new. Contemplating Klinsmann’s long-standing desire of Jones, it’s unlikely that something will change in that division following right this moment’s recreation. Ranking: 6
DeAndre Yedlin: Yedlin’s efficiency adopted the same sample as his earlier three for the U.S.: begin shaky, then collect himself and present some actual high quality. His appearances in every of the final two video games recommend that Klinsmann charges him extremely. Will that result in minutes in Brazil? Not within the beginning XI, however substitute appearances are straightforward to check—particularly if Klinsmann thinks an overlapping run down the wing is so as. Ranking: 6
Julian Inexperienced: Inexperienced labored laborious however seemed bodily overmatched in opposition to the Turks. He had quite a bit to do on his solely attacking second of observe, and his first contact was a bit sturdy below heavy stress from two defenders and the Turkish goalie. After this, frustratingly so, it’s tough to check Inexperienced making any kind of impression (and even look) in Brazil. May the identical be stated of He Who Should Not Be Named? The feedback part is all yours. Ranking: 4.5
Combine Diskerud: Diskerud didn’t have fairly the identical impression as he did in opposition to Azerbaijan—it’s fairly attainable that the Turks are extra accustomed to such distractingly stunning hairstyles and boyish grins. He was his traditional sharp self by way of distribution however wanted to do higher with Altidore’s cross, as an alternative of chesting it down and dropping possession. Ranking: 6
THE COACH
Jurgen Klinsmann: Klinsmann appears set on the diamond for now, however right this moment confirmed its considerably evident flaws. Turkey managed eight pictures heading in the right direction and likewise hit the publish, and the U.S. wanted a number of essential blocks and interceptions to maintain the quantity even that low. In opposition to the extra medical opposition the U.S. will face in Brazil, such numbers will virtually definitely lead to greater than the one purpose Turkey scored. The U.S. did have its fair proportion of attacking pleasure, however is it well worth the threat to attempt to outscore groups within the World Cup? Klinsmann must suppose lengthy and laborious about that within the subsequent two weeks. Ranking: 5.5
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Blake Thomsen is a frequent ASN contributor. Observe him on Twitter and let him know what you concentrate on his scores beneath. (He is seemingly to reply to your responses.)
