ASN: Dax, Dom, and Bruce Earn Excessive Marks Towards Ghana

Three Yanks—Dom Dwyer, Kenny Saief, and Kelyn Acosta—made their worldwide debuts Saturday towards Ghana, and all three made optimistic impressions. Listed here are Brian Sciaretta’s Participant Scores. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
July 01, 2017
6:00 PM

SHARE THIS STORY

THE U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM defeated its nemesis Ghana 2-1 on Saturday in a pleasant in East Hartford, Conn. Whereas friendlies are typically snoozers, this one had a pleasant edge to it with many newcomers enjoying arduous to attempt to impress Bruce Area.

For probably the most half, the gamers succeeded. Dax McCary, Matt Hedges, Dom Dwyer, Kelyn Rowe, and Kellyn Acosta all got here into the sport with minimal caps—Rowe and Dwyer truly made their debuts. All of them shall be leaving Connecticut in significantly better standing with the coach.

The most effective gamers on this sport had been McCarty and Dwyer, together with goalkeeper Brad Guzan who got here up large on an necessary penalty cease. McCarty hardly put in a mistaken foot all the sport and his passing was sensible and decisive. Dwyer in the meantime ought to have had a hat-trick however nonetheless was remarkably efficient in stepping into harmful positions.

CREATE YOUR OWN U.S. PLAYER RATINGS HERE

Guzan got here into this sport going through criticism within the media however responded nicely. Jordan Morris hit an excellent left-footed cross. Gyasi Zardes had a number of good touches. Dwyer and Rowe didn’t look in awe of their environment. All in all, Area ought to be completely happy together with his group’s efficiency.

The Beginning XI

Brad Guzan: The veteran keeper got here up large when wanted. Within the first half he saved a well-taken free kick and a penalty. It took an attractive free kick from Gyan to beat him. Ranking: 7.5

Jorge Villafana: He was concerned on Dom Dwyer’s opening aim with a pleasant transfer within the field but in addition gave up a penalty—after which Guzan bailed him out. He was overmatched bodily at occasions and gave up a foul free kick within the 59th minute that led to Ghana’s aim. Ranking: 4.5

Matt Besler: A World Cup veteran, Besler introduced some much-needed expertise to the backline and labored nicely with Hedges to restrict Ghana’s possibilities contained in the field. Like Hedges, his distribution was fairly good. Ranking: 6.5

Matt Hedges: With out a lot expertise on the worldwide stage, Hedges performed nicely and improved as the sport went on. Ghana had comparatively little success going towards him. Ranking: 6.5

Graham Zusi: The not too long ago transformed proper again regarded extra comfy defensively than he has previously at this place. Offensively, he pressed ahead properly at occasions however his crossing let him down often—and that ought to be his sturdy level. Ranking: 5.5

Dax McCarty: The Chicago Fireplace standout manned the No. 6 position and was among the best gamers on the sphere. He did plenty of soiled work and his passing was often proper on the cash. Within the second half he was even higher and was a giant contributor in possession. He made a giant case to be a part of the group transferring ahead. Ranking: 7.5

Kellyn Acosta: The rising FC Dallas star struggled a bit within the first half however got here to life within the second half because the U.S started to manage the sport. His free kick aim was executed completely as he bent it across the wall with a low shot. Ranking: 7

Paul Arriola: The Membership Tijuana winger had his moments the place he bought into good attacking positions and was ready hit some harmful crosses though he had stretches the place he was inactive. Ranking: 5.5

Joe Corona: The Tijuana midfielder was the sport’s finest midfielder within the first half. His shot paved the best way for the opening aim however his passing and motion was additionally easy. He cooled off within the second half but it surely was a pleasant efficiency in his return to the group after a two-year absence. Bodily he took a beating. Ranking: 6.5

Kelyn Rowe: In his nationwide group debut, Rowe had a optimistic impression on the sport with some aggressive passing and good runs—considered one of which within the 51st minute drew a harmful free kick which led to the sport’s decisive aim. He was robust to defend and didn’t look in awe of the worldwide stage. Ranking: 6.5

Dominic Dwyer: Making his worldwide debut, Dwyer didn’t disappoint. His ending was suspect early within the sport however he was all the time discovering methods to get into harmful positions. His opener was nicely taken after which he drew a foul Ghana keeper Richard Ofori which ought to have been a crimson card. He most likely ought to have had extra targets, but it surely was an excellent outing. Ranking: 7.5 

The Substitutes

Gyasi Zardes: The LA Galaxy midfielder changed Acosta on the one-hour mark. Within the midst of a tough season for his membership, his outing was first rate and he match nicely into the midfield and confirmed a pleasant contact on a number of occasions—usually a supply of criticism. Ranking: 5.5

Kenny Saief: One of many group’s most intriguing newcomers changed Corona within the 71st minute and performed comparatively nicely for a man who knew none of his teammates earlier than this camp. You must like his aggressive hearth and his skill to become involved with 14 touches in 19 minutes. Ranking: 5.5

Alejandro Bedoya: He didn’t have a lot to do after approaching for Arriola within the 71st minute. He may have scored on the good cross from Morris. Ranking: 5

Jordan Morris: The Seattle Sounder got here on for Dwyer within the 76th and will have had an help within the eighty fifth minute with a harmful left-footed (sure, he does have a left foot) cross. Ranking: 6

Omar Gonzalez: The Pachuca mainstay had nothing however a cameo. Ranking: NR

The Coach

Bruce Area: Area had the Midas contact right now as every little thing turned to gold. His newcomers labored nicely. He gave three gamers their worldwide debuts. For such an inexperienced group, the gamers regarded hungry and had been desperate to impress. Area efficiently expanded the participant pool right now—which was his prime aim. Ranking: 7.5

What do you consider Brian’s scores? Share your take beneath, or click on right here to create your personal Participant Scores.