DeAndre Yedlin and Bobby Wooden delivered confidence-building performances that ought to assist them in Copa America Centenario, whereas Paul Arriola made a dream debut for the U.S. nationwide group.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
Could 23, 2016
3:30 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
AS EXPECTED, the US males’s nationwide group defeated Puerto Rico on Sunday in a pleasant that featured many gamers not included on the Copa America Centenario roster. On a person stage, some gamers helped construct their instances to be concerned later within the yr, whereas others, like DeAndre Yedlin, continued to play effectively after a robust membership season.
Listed here are my participant rankings for the primary of three friendlies this week.
Starters
Brad Guzan: Guzan was hardly ever challenged in 45 minutes of motion. Puerto Rico’s purpose from Luis Betancur was unstoppable. In any other case, he didn’t do something to assist or hurt his standing as the US’ No. 1 keeper. Score: 5.5
DeAndre Yedlin: Constructing on a strong season within the English Premier League, Yedlin got here out very full of life and filled with vitality. His ultimate ball was a bit off however he was harmful and helped open up the sport. Defensively he didn’t make any important errors. He’s heading into the Copa America with actual momentum. Score: 7
Michael Orozco: Orozco went a full 90 in central protection and, like Brooks, may have executed higher in his positioning on Luis Betancur’s purpose. On the optimistic aspect of the ledger, he made a really good cross within the build-up to Paul Arriola’s purpose. Score: 5.5
John Brooks: The Hertha defender was lackadaisical in his one half of motion. He may have executed higher on the purpose and his distribution out of the again didn’t actually support within the assault. His alternative, Matt Miazga, was an enchancment. Score: 5
Tim Ream: Usually a central defender, Ream was given the beginning at left again and surprisingly got here up with the primary purpose when he pounced on rebound on Matthew Sanchez’s save. He was crushed a number of occasions defensively and other than the purpose he wasn’t concerned a lot within the assault. Score: 5.5
Perry Kitchen: The Coronary heart of Midlothian midfielder made the Copa America Centenario roster—to the shock of many—and towards Puerto Rico he was given the beginning at proper midfield, an uncommon spot for him. In his 45 minutes of motion his passing was fairly good and his strong defensive positioning helped power turnovers. He wasn’t an element offensively, nonetheless. Score: 5.5
Danny Williams: The defensive midfielder broke up some performs from Puerto Rico however was able to extra towards a weak opponent. He has the power to get ahead however was relatively pedestrian within the recreation. Score: 5.5
Alejandro Bedoya: The midfielder from Nantes wore the captain’s armband and he responded with a strong, assertive efficiency. He delivered a high quality help on Arriola’s purpose to place the sport away. Score: 6.5
Alfredo Morales: The Ingolstadt midfielder had a hand within the first purpose when Puerto Rico goalkeeper Matthew Sanchez was unable to hold onto his shot from distance, permitting Ream to pounce on the rebound. Within the second half he pressured one other save from a long-distance effort. Except for the photographs, it was an honest outing marked by some rugged tackles. He helped the U.S. keep possession however wasn’t inventive within the ultimate third. Score: 6
Bobby Wooden: The newly signed Hamburg SV striker is coming into his personal on this group and his Thirty fourth-minute purpose was a well-executed play off a wise run. He wasn’t all the time harmful however when he was concerned, he was a menace to attain. Score: 7
Paul Arriola: It was a dream debut for the Tijuana attacker who picked up a purpose, an help, and was harmful all through. He was ready to make use of his pace successfully to open up the sport. Score: 7.5
Substitutes
Tim Howard: Like Guzan, he was hardly ever examined and made the straightforward saves. Score: 5.5
Matt Miazga: The Chelsea teenager got here in on the half for Brooks and performed effectively. He gained his challenges and his distribution out of the again was an improve because the U.S. group sought to claim itself. Score: 6
Julian Inexperienced: Making his first nationwide group look since 2014, Inexperienced was harmful and compelled Sanchez into making a great save minutes after approaching within the 63rd minute. He had quite a few events the place it regarded like he was going to be concerned in a purpose. Score: 6.5
Emerson Hyndman: Like Inexperienced, Hyndman was lively and concerned after approaching to start out the second half. He pressed laborious to push the U.S. group’s assault. Score: 6.5
Eric Lichaj: The customarily-overlooked fullback from Nottingham Forest got here into the sport within the 63rd minute and confirmed a willingness and skill to press ahead. He made a pleasant run into the field late within the recreation which almost resulted in a purpose. Score: 6
Fafa Picault: Making his first look with the nationwide group, the St. Pauli ahead regarded keen however nervous. His pace helped get him into harmful positions on a number of events however his execution was not fairly there on the afternoon. Score: 5.0
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19038079/new_splash_zone.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "Which gamers ought to Dolphins prioritize bringing again – The Splash Zone 2/22/25")
