The joy and good feelings brought about by the USA demolition of Scotland quickly gave way to the reality of a heavy loss to Brazil and a lackluster draw against Canada.
The Brazil showing wasn't bad for the attacking group in the second half. Unfortunately, that's the best praise that can come from the match. Overall the USA failed to deal with Brazil's high pressure, and the inability to move the ball out of the back against a team that leaves gaps in its own defense is something that will need some serious work in the future.
The Canada match was possibly even more disappointing. The USA looked tired and failed to find a way through a Canadian team that really should have been brushed aside.
The important thing to remember is that, despite Jurgen Klinsmann calling this a five-game tournament, the only two matches that actually matter haven't been played yet.
|
Age: 29
Club: Fulham |
Position: Midfielder
Last Week: 1 |
Comment: Dempsey's return to the starting lineup might have given some insight into what Klinsmann wants to see in the future, but it left the same old problem of Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones both sitting deep. For a player coming off an injury, it was important for him to get 90 minutes in before the qualifiers. |
|
Age: 22
Club: AZ |
Position: Forward
Last Week: 2 |
Comments: Altidore hasn't gotten his chance to return to the starting team yet, but should be leading the line on Friday. |
|
Age: 33
Club: Everton |
Position: Goalkeeper
Last Week: 3 |
Comments: Howard made a couple of big saves in the last two matches, but had little chance to deal with Brazil's goals and wasn't really asked to do too much against Canada.
|
|
Age: 24
Club: Chievo |
Position: Midfielder
Last Week: 4
|
Comments: Bradley has now basically been asked to play three different spots in three matches. He was at his best against Scotland, getting forward a bit more and helping create. As the holder against Brazil he struggled to find the flow of the game early, but did create the one goal with a great ball to Fabian Johnson. Against Canada he and Jones seemed to be guessing who would hold and who would move forward. Still worthy of his spot at four, but there must be a better understanding with his partners in the middle of the park. |
|
Age: 24
Club: Hoffenheim |
Position: Defender/Mdfielder
Last Week: 6 |
Comments: Johnson was a late scratch from the Canada match and his stock still went up. The run in behind Brazil's back line helped as well. |
|
Age: 30
Club: LA Galaxy |
Position: Midfielder
Last Week: 5 |
Comment: After a stellar showing against Scotland, Donovan went missing against Brazil and only had a couple of flashes against Canada. Part of that comes out of the midfield play, which obviously has to bring wingers into the match, but the USA still needs him to be better in the coming games. |
|
Age: 30
Club: Schalke |
Position: Midfielder
Last Week: 7 |
Comments: Along with Bradley, Jones has formed a solid midfield pair. They still have work to do on when and how to get forward, but they've proven that they won't be easily broken down. |
|
Age: 30
Club: Santos |
Position: Forward
Last Week: NR |
Comments: Gomez started twice and put in two workmanlike shifts, scoring the USA's only goal against Brazil. His pace stretches the field, but it also invited too many balls over the top. Still, his play warrants him being back up to eight in the rankings.
|
|
Age: 24
Club: Pachuca |
Position: Midfielder
Last Week: 9 |
Comments: Torres has been written in on the left for all three matches so far. He connects the play well, but is often very isolated, which is not where he does his best work.
|
|
Age: 33
Club: Rangers |
Position: Defender
Last Week: 10 |
Comments: Bocanegra's outing against Brazil was a rough one, but his other two matches were solid enough. A stable partner should help if Klinsmann can settle on one. |
Follow ALLEN RAMSEY on Twitter
