Darlington Nagbe wins Man of the Match honors for his glowing 45-minute show towards Ecuador. Not far behind him, Christian Pulisic additionally earned plaudits for his imaginative and prescient, method, and toughness.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
Could 25, 2016
11:00 PM
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THE U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM fought by a dreary first half to play an impressed ultimate 45 minutes and defeat Ecuador with a last-minute aim. It was a revealing recreation because the substitutes made all of the distinction and nobody performed higher than Darlington Nagbe, who delivered the game-winner.
This is a have a look at how particular person gamers carried out.
Starters
Brad Guzan: After incomes the beginning job for Copa America Centenario, Guzan confirmed no indicators of his poor season at Aston Villa, making all essential stops. None of his saves had been very troublesome however he was assured. Ranking: 5.5
Fabian Johnson: Within the first half, Johnson was regular defensively however was unable to push ahead into the assault. Within the second half, he was much more relaxed pushing ahead and helped to contribute effectively into the attacking third. Ranking: 6
John Brooks: The Hertha Berlin mainstay had an excellent recreation and showcased his development as a participant the previous yr. He broke up performs, learn the sport effectively, and did his half to restrict Ecuador’s probabilities. Ranking: 7.5
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Steve Birnbaum: The D.C. United defender struggled early however steadily discovered his method into the sport. Didn’t dominate set items the way in which he’s succesful. Ranking: 5.5
DeAndre Yedlin: After a powerful season at Sunderland in a profitable relegation battle, Yedlin confirmed enchancment defensively. He was crushed a couple of instances within the first half but in addition gained some 1v1 battles in spectacular trend. He didn’t have the perfect recreation from the attacking standpoint till the very finish the place he performed a task within the winner. Ranking: 6
Kyle Beckerman: The Actual Salt Lake defensive midfielder discovered himself chasing the sport and was unable to carry the central midfield collectively. The U.S. workforce was out-possessed on his watch. Ranking: 4
Michael Bradley: The captain made some good defensive performs within the first half however did supply a lot else. Within the second half he got here to life on each side of the ball and imposed himself effectively. He mixed extraordinarily effectively with Nagbe because the U.S. workforce took management of the sport. Ranking: 6.5
Jermaine Jones: The Colorado Rapids midfielder had a tough recreation and got here off within the 63rd minute. His chemistry with Bradley was weak (because it usually has been) and whereas he hustled defensively, within the attacking facet he was off. Ranking: 4.5
Gyasi Zardes: The Los Angeles Galaxy winger had a troublesome recreation as his first robust let him down on a number of events. He appeared out of synch with the remainder of the workforce. Ranking: 4
Graham Zusi: The Sporting Kansas Metropolis midfielder was a shock starter however after a lackluster first half he responded effectively within the second interval. On one superb sequence he broke by the Ecuadorian protection and practically offered a really good help to Alejandro Bedoya. Ranking: 6
Clint Dempsey: Subpar recreation from the surly veteran who had a really troublesome time getting concerned and didn’t get numerous touches. Forgettable recreation earlier than popping out within the 63rd minute. Ranking: 4.5
Substitutes
Darlington Nagbe: Even earlier than his game-winning aim, Nagbe was the perfect participant on the sector. His crisp passing and possession-style recreation utterly modified the dynamics of the midfield. He accomplished all 33 of his passes and scored a aim. Becoming in with this workforce, his chemistry with Christian Pulisic and Bradley was excellent. This was his popping out celebration and the lesson is that Nagbe ought to begin for this workforce. Ranking: 9
Bobby Wooden: The newly minted Hamburg SV ahead offered a spark within the second half. His mobility helped to open the sport and he repeatedly appeared harmful. He made a really good play to help on Nagbe’s aim. Ranking: 7
Christian Pulisic: The 17-year-old turned heads together with his efficiency. He was all the time concerned and all the time harmful. Regardless of his youth, he was not misplaced within the second and made only a few errors. His fearlessness to tackle defenders was eye-opening. Ranking: 8
Alejandro Bedoya: The Nantes midfielder changed Jones within the 63rd minute and was an enchancment. He labored onerous and helped within the possession recreation. Ranking: 6
Matt Besler: Regardless of struggling for his membership, Besler appeared fairly good in restricted minutes. He related effectively with the midfield on a couple of events to spring an assault. Ranking: 5.5
Michael Orozco: The Tijuana defender got here on within the 87th minute however didn’t do sufficient to earn a grade. Ranking: NR
The Coach
Jurgen Klinsmann: The coach began off a really outdated and boring lineup whose limitations have already been uncovered the previous two years. The substitutes had been the distinction as Nagbe, Pulisic, and Wooden gained the sport. Klinsmann will get good marks for his second-half changes however the actual take a look at will likely be what he takes from this recreation transferring ahead. That is a bit unsure proper now even when the teachings appear fairly clear. Ranking: 6
These are Brian’s scores, now go create yours with our patented Participant Ranking software.
