USA vs. Mexico CONCACAF Cup player ratings
Here are the player ratings for Mexico’s thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over the United States for a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup. Player ratings out of 5. United States Brad Guzan, 3 – Had several strong moments, and there was very little he could have done about the three goals. […]
Here are the player ratings for Mexico’s thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over the United States for a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Player ratings out of 5.
United States
Brad Guzan, 3 – Had several strong moments, and there was very little he could have done about the three goals. The question now is, can he beat out Tim Howard in an open competition?
Fabian Johnson, 2 – Didn’t get forward in the attack – his chief strength at fullback – and lacked awareness defensively. Was caught out on Mexico’s second goal.
Matt Besler, 2.5 – Decent match from the Sporting Kansas City defender, but his last-minute handball in normal time should have been given as a penalty.
Geoff Cameron, 4 – Was tremendous all night. Even discounting the goal, Cameron was huge in the air and was able to make several gutsy and skillful runs with the ball to relieve pressure. His best night in a US shirt.
DaMarcus Beasley, 3.5 – Beasley, who was an automatic starter some fifteen months after his fourth World Cup and first international retirement, was extremely solid for the most part. Still, he’ll look back and wonder about his positioning on the game-winner.
Kyle Beckerman, 2.5 – Had to do plenty of chasing around the midfield defensively, and made zero impact going forward. Maybe his last big game for the national team.
Michael Bradley, 3 – Very strong beginning of the game, and a typically excellent free-kick delivery on the goal. Lost some sharpness as his legs tired.
Jermaine Jones, 2 – Was a dead man walking after sixty minutes. Coming off an injury, playing out of position, he didn’t look comfortable all night.
Gyasi Zardes, 2 – Never got involved in this game, and was off the field for the late fireworks. But Zardes – the only field player who has broken into the first-choice XI since last summer – has plenty of Mexico games ahead of him.
Clint Dempsey, 1.5 – Dempsey hasn’t looked right since the Gold Cup. He was anemic, and left out to rot, in this match.
Jozy Altidore, 2 – Started slow, but got better as the game progressed and had a decent shot saved late on. He didn’t have a lot of chances to make an impression, which is unfortunate for a player who could use a break.
Substitutes
DeAndre Yedlin, 3 – It took Yedlin awhile to get acclimated to the game, but his run and assist on Bobby Wood’s goal was exactly what he was brought onto the field to do.
Bobby Wood, 4 – A true, instinctual striker’s finish for what might have been a famous US goal. Instead, it goes down as a case of what might have been.
Brad Evans, 2.5– Brought on with just over five minutes to go, he got into a sticky situation on the ball with his first involvement – and could only watch as the game-winning goal came from the opposite side of the field.
Mexico
Moises Munoz, 3 – Doesn’t look the part, but made the saves he was expected to make – including a few good stops on Bradley set pieces. Unlucky on Wood’s goal.
Paul Aguilar, 4.5 – The man who has etched his name into the lore of Mexico soccer and this rivalry was so overcome by emotion he was left sobbing on the Rose Bowl grass at full time. His goal and his emotion were compliments to the game.
Rafa Marquez, 2.5 – Nothing special, nothing dumb. Managed the game in the middle, and made way before things got really interesting.
Miguel Layun, 3.5 – Always one of Mexico’s most solid players, Layun was good again tonight.
Hector Moreno, 2 – Looked a little shaky defensively all night, and was burned on the US’ extra-time equalizer. Wasn’t great going forward either.
Diego Reyes, 2.5 – Didn’t have much to do, and did what he had to do without much fuss.
Andres Guardado, 2.5 – Guardado wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t his best self. That he played at all so soon after an injury that was supposed to keep him out of this match was impressive.
Hector Herrera, 2 – Didn’t offer much creativity when Mexico could have used some as the US sat in and El Tri dominated territorially.
Javier Hernandez, 3.5 – It was a clever, hard-working shift from Chicharito, who finished off Mexico’s first and might have had a second too if he could have pulled off a back-heel in front of goal.
Oribe Peralta, 4 – Tremendous outing from Peralta, who was involved in most everything good that happened for Mexico offensively. His finish in extra time and dummy on the opener were class.
Raul Jimenez, 2.5 – Plenty active, and was involved in that first goal, but he had several good looks that he should have done better with.
Substitutes
Arturo Rivas, 2 – The first of several head-scratching subs by Tuco Ferretti. Was active and energetic, but didn’t quite have the quality required.
Javier Guemes, 2.5 – Had a bit of a rough start, but then settled in nicely.
Jesus Corona, 2.5 – Didn’t have much time to make an impact.
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