In search of one thing optimistic to remove from the USA’ loss to Ukraine on Wednesday? Look elsewhere. These participant rankings are going to sting a bit of.
BY
John Godfrey
Posted
March 05, 2014
10:44 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
NOBODY ON THE U.S. NATIONAL staff earned a seat on the aircraft to Brazil Wednesday in opposition to Ukraine, however a handful of gamers seemingly performed their method out of World Cup consideration.
It was that dangerous—particularly for just a few fringe gamers who actually wanted to indicate one thing particular.
Three regulars—Tim Howard, Jermaine Jones, and Fabian Johnson—confirmed why their participation within the match was by no means doubtful. That trio apart, there was not loads of excellent news popping out of Cyprus. Here is a have a look at how the person gamers carried out.
Starters
Tim Howard: Howard is a beast and he stays in beast mode. The virtually-35-year-old confronted six pictures on objective from Ukrainian gamers and one from teammate Oguchi Onyewu. He saved 5 of seven pictures, a number of in spectacular vogue. On each Ukraine targets, Howard stopped the preliminary strike solely to fall sufferer to rebounds his defenders did not clear. The U.S. will want extra like this in Recife, Natal, and Manaus. Score: 7
Geoff Cameron: The Stoke Metropolis fullback showcased the weakest a part of his recreation in opposition to Ukraine, delivering poor crosses within the third, eleventh, and sixtieth minutes. However the Massachusetts native additionally made an ideal restoration/clearance within the twenty third minute to stop a Ukrainian alternative and despatched in a glowing cross from the proper flank on the 51st-minute mark that Jozy Altidore ought to have placed on body. He has to get higher on crosses, however Cameron seems destined for the proper again spot within the 2014 World Cup. Score: 5.5
Oguchi Onyewu By no means thoughts Ukraine’s first objective—that was all on John Brooks, who drifted out of place, misplaced his focus, and allowed Andriy Iarmalenko to maneuver in on Howard within the twelfth minute. And neglect about Ukraine’s golden alternative within the thirty second minute—that was the results of a horrible contact from Sacha Kljestan. However that second objective? The backbreaker within the 67th minute? The place was Onyewu? What was he doing pushing to date ahead? Why didn’t he hustle again to assist clear the rebound? Poor focus? Was he lacking that further burst of power to maintain up with the match? No matter it was, Onyewu’s World Cup desires seemingly ended Wednesday evening in Cyprus. Kasey Keller stated this of Onyewu earlier than the match: “This is an opportunity for him to have a real dominating performance.” He didn’t achieve this. Score: 3.5
John Brooks: He’s not going to Brazil. Having stated that, the 21-year-old Berlin native was all the time a protracted shot to make this staff. Regardless of his six-foot-four body, a high quality left foot, and noteworthy aerial prowess, the central defender appeared like a deer caught within the headlights at a number of key moments Wednesday. Particularly, his ill-conceived back-headed move within the second half served no discernible goal aside from to create an ideal probability for Ukraine. The excellent news: Brooks has loads of potential, and 4 years to work on his recreation. The 2018 World Cup looks as if a robust chance. Score: 2
Edgar Castillo: He’s not going to Brazil both. Castillo’s 63-minute efficiency at left again showcased his defensive liabilities, that are myriad. The 27-year-old Tijuana fullback is so decided to push ahead at each alternative that he continuously finds himself out of place on the defensive finish. It didn’t assist issues that Iarmalenko, the perfect participant on both staff Wednesday, plagued Castillo down the proper flank—seemingly at will. However that’s what occurs on the highest degree of the sport. Castillo has a nonchalant strategy to defending, and that simply received’t lower it. Score: 3
Alejandro Bedoya: If the USA had put up extra of a combat, Bedoya’s sturdy five-minute spell within the second half won’t have garnered a lot optimistic consideration. However because the U.S. nationwide staff gave supporters so little to cheer about, Bedoya’s two strikes in a five-minute periodseemed comparatively particular. Throughout this eventful spell simply after intermission, Bedoya chested down a cross and delivered a pointy right-footed shot that appeared destined for the again of the web. Sadly for him, it was deflected extensive. A couple of minutes later Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov botched his clearance and gave the Nantes midfielder a transparent shot on objective from 20 yards out. Although nicely struck, Bedoya’s shot flew off track. The remainder of Bedoya’s afternoon featured just a few harmful set items however far too many misguided passes. He stays a fringe participant for the 23-man World Cup roster. Score: 5
Jermaine Jones: Sporting an Adam Duritz look, Jones didn’t put his mark on the match till the latter levels of the primary half. From that time ahead, he was strong on the ball and disruptive in protection. However his gradual begin, which allowed Ukraine to manage possession for the primary half-hour of the sport, is vexing. Jones must put collectively just a few strong 90-minute performances. Score: 5.5
Clint Dempsey: The USA captain confirmed a little bit of combat within the 84th minute when he took exception with a problem from Ukraine midfielder Roman Bezus. After the collision—which did not appear notably egregious—Dempsey swung a leg at Bezus’ head whereas they had been on the pitch. Then Dempsey stood up, grabbed Bezus’ leg, and threw him to the bottom. How he managed to keep away from a yellow card I do not know. And why he saved up his venom for this lifeless ball conflict somewhat than utilizing it within the match is one other thriller. Possibly a return to the USA will assist Dempsey snap out of his funk. This match definitely didn’t do the trick. Score: 3.5
Sacha Kljestan: He’s not going to Brazil. Too many giveaways, too little offensive aptitude, too many probabilities with the nationwide staff with out making a significant impression. Score: 3
Fabian Johnson: Should you DVRed the match, watch it once more and give attention to No. 23. Johnson all the time supplies a high quality contact, is tireless in protection, and is continually in search of offensive alternatives. Johnson began the sport on the left wing and saved Castillo’s bacon just a few instances when Iarmalenko was working wild. Then, when Castillo got here off, Johnson shifted to left again and did all the things in his energy to maintain the U.S. within the match. (The second Ukrainian objective was not Johnson’s fault.) Johnson will get 270 minutes of motion within the Group Stage, and I feel the majority of that point will likely be spent on the again line. Score: 6
Jozy Altidore In his 85 minutes on the sector, Altidore hardly ever touched the ball in a harmful place. Possibly this single-striker setup isn’t the reply in any case. Score: 4.5
Substitutes
Brek Shea: He actually shouldn’t be going to Brazil….however Klinsmann loves the Ostrich and in opposition to Ukraine Shea loped down the left aspect a number of instances, practically creating just a few significant probabilities. Please be aware use of the adverb “nearly.” Shea’s resolution making within the last third wants to enhance by roughly 643%, however he can go round or by means of most fullbacks, which makes him a beneficial late-game asset. Score: 5
Aron Johannsson: Johannsson’s cultured 87th-minute volley beat the Ukrainian keeper and was angling for the again of the web earlier than it was cleared off the road. That was the Icelandic-American’s main contribution to the match. Why didn’t he do extra? As a result of he was on the bench for the primary 63 minutes! On the very least, Johannsson ought to have come on initially of the second half when Klinsmann’s 4-2-3-1 revealed itself to be totally toothless. However as a substitute of contributing to the U.S.’s one spectacular stretch of play, Johannsson was watching and ready with the remainder of us. Ugh! Score: 6
Danny Williams: He made one good run by means of the midfield that arrange a U.S. nook, however except for that sequence the Studying midfielder didn’t accomplish a lot in his 10-minute cameo. On reflection, it might have been illuminating to see what Williams might have completed with just a few of Kljestan’s minutes. (Additionally: lose the blond highlights, Danny. Not a very good look.) Score: 5
Juan Agudelo: An uneventful five-minute look. No Score
Coach
Jurgen Klinsmann: On the motivational entrance, Klinsmann must mild a can of Sterno underneath his gamers’ butts earlier than halftime—the urgency is simply not there. As a tactician, Klinsmann must take a tough have a look at his most well-liked 4-2-3-1 formation, particularly if he performs Altidore up prime: It’s simply not working. Each of those are achievable targets. Score: 4
These are my rankings; now inform us yours. Go away your feedback under and/or put our Participant Rankings software to work.
John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now.
