This was a tough game to watch.
The US played a much different game on Tuesday night in Boca Raton, Florida. The fast paced corvette style of play was replaced by a concerted effort to keep possession and dictate a slow to medium methodical build up.
USMNT: An Ugly Draw vs Honduras
The unfortunate thing is that it didn’t quite look good in the process. Michael Bradley spent most of the night as an attacking midfielder collecting the ball in his defensive third, while Mix Diskerud was seemingly fighting the urge to give in to his attacking instincts and push forward.
There were very few bright moments. On the US goal, Mix Diskerud started the break with a nice tackle, then leaked it to Michael Bradley who delivered a beautiful floated ball to Altidore. Altidore, then, chested it down, took a step back, and buried it into the back of the net passed the keeper.
As you can see, Victor Bernardes does just about everything you could ask a human being to do. It was simply just a great individual effort by Altidore.
That turned out to be the theme of the scoring in the match: individual effort.
On the Honduras goal, here we see Maynor Figueroa getting a free header, because of a simply wicked free kick from Mario Martinez. Diskerud simply lost him.
Like Diskerud on that goal, the US looked lost at times. The attack was disjointed; it looked as if the team was feeling themselves out again. Jermaine Jones was often left on an Island, and looked like the only US player capable of playing defense.
Greg Garza and Alejandro Bedoya turned in solid performances again, but this game was about flow… or rather the sheer lack of it.
Player Ratings (10)
22- Nick Rimando (7) He had a couple of bad clearances that led to a couple of half chances for Honduras, outside of that he played pretty well. There was nothing he could do on Honduras’s goal.
21- Timmy Chandler (6.5) picked his spots to get forward, the difference in speed between he and Yedlin is quite noticeable. He got burned on the wing a couple of times.
13- Jermaine Jones (8.5) I’m not sure I’m used to seeing American center backs creating chances. He was a complete beast on the backline. Every time he went forward, both coaching staffs had to have gotten nervous. Needs to gain some restraint, would have easily been sent off had this not been friendly. (my man of the match)
5- Matt Besler (7) He generally wasn’t beat, nor on the ball much at all. For me, that’s a good game for any center back. He grabbed his hamstring towards the latter end of the first half in a similar manner, as he did in Brazil in June; hopefully nothing will come of it.
14- Greg Garza (8) He played with malice whenever he got forward and dished out some timely tackles in defensive duty. For much of the game, the US offence ran through him; he wasn’t an offensive threat, he was the offensive threat.
10- Mix Diskerud (7) He played a fairly decent game from the defensive midfield position in the first half. He stayed in position mostly and broke up the Honduran attack often. Seemed lost early in the second half, which allowed Honduras to get more space. After making the crunching tackle that showed heart, he completely outclassed on Honduras’s goal that was set up, by the foul he committed (Sigh).
19- Graham Zusi (6.5) He wasn’t a threat in attack, barely touched the ball; he made one or two runs, and a couple of tackles. All in all it was a very forgettable evening, by his standards.
11- Alejandro Bedoya (7.5) He started a couple of breaks on his own. He wasn’t as dynamic as the previous match, but he made attackers and defenders be mindful of where he was. Andy Najar will have nightmares of him tracking back and tackling the ball away, I can’t imagine that that happens very often.
4- Michael Bradley (5.5) He struggled at times in this one. He dropped back so deep that it was difficult to get into the attacking third. He didn’t do very much creating or purposeful passing. Outside of the lone assist, there weren’t very many chances that he even created. Tough game for Michael Bradley.
8- Clint Dempsey (7) He never seemed to be able to hold any sort of possession or make his mark on the game. If only he could have connected with one or two of his trick shots.
17- Jozy Altidore (7.5) His game is totally different when he plays with Dempsey. He spent much less time holding up play, and much more time pressing the Honduran back line. He made them account for him. Honduras’s high line kept him from being more of a threat.
Subs:
2- DeAndre Yedlin (6) showed a ton of speed, but not much else.
23- Bobby Wood (7) He came in and immediately looked to score. He didn’t, but he certainly looked dangerous for about 15-20 minutes.
16- Tim Ream: (6.5) He lost a couple of runners in space, lucky for him Maria Martinez plays for Barcelona (Ecu) not Barcelona (Spa) otherwise the US might have lost.
15- Joe Corona (6.5) He increased his effort after Honduras scored. I’m sure the fans would have preferred to see that effort beforehand.
9- Miguel Ibarra (n/a) He touched the ball, which is more than I say I thought he’d do.
6- Alfredo Morales: (n/a) He might have touched the ball more than Miguel Ibarra, but not by much.
Jurgen Klinnsman: (6.5) No this wasn’t the sort of game plan we will see when qualifications roll around, but if also wasn’t exactly a winning formula. His decision to play Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, and Mix Diskerud out of position was clearly meant as an experiment. There was very little flow to the game, so I hope this poor display gave him the information he needs going forward.
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