I hope, if you are reading this, that you got a chance to watch the United States handle the Mexicans this fine February evening. The game itself was not much to speak of (as my colleague Giblinho noted, "Two crap goals... typical US soccer." This is not far from truth. Perhaps the first US goal was legit (a fine ball in from Donovan off of a weak cross by Beasley led to Michael Bradley finishing from 3 feet out), however the second was abysmal keeping, which will no doubt be blamed on the torrential downpours in Ohio. Overall it was a sloppy affair, with few standout performances:
Howard, 8: Made some big saves, even after getting cleated by Raphael Marquez (another dirty Mexican, plying his dirty trade in the US...). Probably would have been man of the match had Bradley not scored twice. He worked hard and deserved the clean sheet.
Pierce, 4: Well, he got forward alright, but once he got there his distribution was appalling. He was the weakest man on the field for the US.
Bocanegra, 5: Honestly I hardly remember anything from him, which I guess for a defender is a good thing. No mistakes, no goals let in.
Gooch, 5: Nothing but solid defending from the oh-so-buff Oguchi Onyewu. Didn't do much anything going forward or really anything with the ball, but what can you ask from a CB?
Hejduk, 6: Got forward a la Pierce, but his distribution was much better. Also was fearless when going into challenges all night. Somehow he avoided getting carded on several questionable two-footed tackles. Also fought through a knee injury, picked up after a collision with Giovanni dos Santos.
Beasley, 6: Showed his speed and passing, all the while making a case for a starting spot back at Rangers. Honestly I do not watch the SPL so I have no idea how good he really is compared to the rest of Glasgow Rangers FC, but I have been surprised/disappointed that he has gotten so little playing time in Scotland.
Bradley, 7 (MotM): Played defensively for most of the match, came up with two goals that put the USA in the poll position to take 1st place in the Hexagonal. Really other than the goals he wasn't spectacular, but then again how can I not give him man of the match after a brace against Mexico?
Kljestian, 5: Not the Sacha I have come to know and love. He hasn't played much with the USMNT as of yet in his career, and it showed. He was not on the same page at all. But I'd give him time, after all he scored a hat-trick against Sweden.
Dempsey, 4: Couldn't have cared less about the game.
Donovan, 6: Great passing early on, created the first goal and contributed to the second. Kind of fell off as the second half went on, but a good job by the most hated man by Mexican fans.
Ching, 5: Typical Brian Ching- not a scoring threat, but didn't really mess much up. Decent job of holding the ball up.
That's all I got for y'all. Peace.
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