ASN: Weak Assault Gave Mexico Large Benefit in 3-2 Loss

American strikers Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore by no means posed a lot of a menace in Saturday’s CONCACAF Cup conflict with Mexico, tilting the sector in El Tri’s favor and producing some poor performances. 

BY

John Godfrey

Posted
October 11, 2015
10:30 AM

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Starters

Brad Guzan—The Aston Villa goalkeeper has nothing to be ashamed of, actually, however he did not produce any saves of the spectacular selection—which could have made the distinction within the U.S. loss. Apparently, Jurgen Klinsmann was planning to deliver Nick Rimando in the course of the last moments of additional time so the Actual Salt Lake backstop would deal with PK duties, however an harm to Fabian Johnson, to not point out a golazo from Paul Aguilar, thwarted that plan. Score: 6

Fabian Johnson—Mexico’s three-pronged assault put the U.S. on its again foot all sport lengthy and compelled the offensive-minded fullback to concentrate on his defensive duties. He is a succesful defender, however Johnson’s means to push ahead is what makes him particular. Towards Mexico, he was not particular. Score: 6

Geoff Cameron—After years of campaigning to play central protection for each membership and nation, Cameron now begins in that function for Stoke Metropolis and obtained the nod Saturday evening in opposition to Mexico. He performed stable protection, used his energy and dimension nicely, and scored an important first-half objective that leveled the competition. Score: 7

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Matt Besler—The Sporting Kansas Metropolis centerback rekindled recollections of Jay DeMerit within the 2009 Confederations Cup match in opposition to Spain—diving, sprawling, lunging, and in any other case defending with desperation in opposition to a superior opponent. Besler in all probability ought to have been known as for a penalty after a go struck his outstretched arm late within the match, however because the referee did not name it we cannot mark him down for it right here. Score: 7

DaMarcus Beasley—Mexico targeted its assault on Beasley’s facet of the pitch and scored three targets within the course of—that just about sums it up. The 33-year-old gave it his all however he was turned and burned on a number of events. Score: 4

Jermaine Jones—Filling in on the suitable wing for Alejandro Bedoya, Jones performed a gritty match—he was completely fearless, per common—and confirmed flashes of talent and loads of need. However he has clearly misplaced a step or two and didn’t create a lot hazard from his facet of the pitch. The sport wanted a galloping run or incisive go from Jones, and it simply wasn’t there Saturday evening. Score: 6

Michael Bradley—His completely weighted free kick within the fifteenth minute discovered Cameron’s brow and equalized the sport however the U.S. captain couldn’t conjure up any extra magic in opposition to El Tri. He tracked again, as at all times, and confirmed outstanding conditioning and resolve. However Mexico gained the midfield battle, and a part of that needs to be attributed to Bradley. Score: 6

Kyle Beckerman—No person will ever query Beckerman’s need however he as soon as once more appeared a step too sluggish in opposition to a top-tier opponent. Score: 4.5

Gyasi Zardes—The SoCal native by no means threatened the Mexican protection and his linkup play—Zardes’ sturdy go well with for the U.S. nationwide crew all yr lengthy—was minimal. That will say extra about his companions in assault, nevertheless. Score: 5

Clint Dempsey—A brutal efficiency by the one-time U.S. captain. He disappeared for lengthy stretches, by no means demonstrated any of his trademark verve or ardour, and when he did get on the ball within the attacking third he both went to floor hoping for a name or gave away possession. Maybe he was sick or injured—that may assist clarify his poor efficiency. He was the worst participant on the pitch. Score: 3

Jozy Altidore—Dempsey’s strike associate within the 4-4-2 had a stinker too. Altidore is not notably quick or technical, so he has to depend on his appreciable bodily energy to retain possession, deliver others into the assault, and join on linking passes. Regardless of a couple of promising sequences and one shot on objective early within the second half, Altidore appeared like a one-dimensional striker in a match that required versatility. Additionally, he ran out of gasoline someplace across the seventy fifth minute however stayed on till the 98th. Score: 4

Substitutes

DeAndre Yedlin—The U.S. assault wanted a spark and Yedlin supplied simply that, utilizing his velocity and flamboyance to run on the Mexican protection. The Sunderland wing registered a beautiful help on Bobby Wooden’s further time objective. He in all probability ought to have come into the competition sooner than he did. Score: 6.5

Bobby Wooden—It helps to be younger and quick. Till Yedlin and Wooden got here on, nevertheless, the US’ assault was neither. Wooden scored an important objective precisely 10 minutes after he changed a throughly spent Altidore. American followers can not help however marvel how this match might need performed out if Wooden had seen greater than 22 minutes of sport time. Score: 8

Brad Evans—A non-factor in his 11 minutes. No Score

The Coach

Jurgen Klinsmann—For the primary time in his 50-month tenure, U.S. soccer followers are calling for Klinsmann’s head. His personnel selections in opposition to Mexico—particularly his reluctance to switch his two ineffective forwards—will not assist because the drumbeat for a change will get louder and louder. Score: 4

John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now. He desires you to create your U.S. participant scores right here and/or go away feedback beneath.