The USMNT will head home for the summer with mostly middling report cards after a patiently constructed 1-0 victory over CONCACAF World Cup qualifying guests Honduras on Tuesday night.
A bit too frantic and direct in the opening period, Jurgen Klinsmann's boys largely controlled matters after intermission to go clear at the top of the hexagonal on Jozy Altidore's fourth goal in four games.
GK Tim Howard (6.5) – The netminder was in command of his area on the few occasions Honduras threatened, with a strong last-minute punch his best moment. Howard was, however, fortunate to get away with one wretched pass out of the back.
RBBrad Evans(5.5) – At the back, the Sounders handyman had a couple of minor trouble spots. He could have scored near the hour, but nodded straight at the away goalkeeper.
CB Omar Gonzalez (5.5) – In the first half, Gonzo was beaten badly twice when pulled wide. From there, the Galaxy star settled down in defense.
OPTA Chalkboard: US struggle to complete passes in choppy first half, improve in second
CB Matt Besler (6.5) – Aside from a bad giveaway near halftime, the Sporting KC defender performed solidly. A pair of late tackles in front of the US area helped seal the win.
LB Fabian Johnson (6.5) – It was a fair opening hour for the left back returnee, but he overhit a great chance to send Jermaine Jones on a breakaway. All was forgiven, though, after he teed up the winner.
CM Michael Bradley (7) – The central park ranger kept time as usual, completing 26 passes more than anyone else on the field. Most of the few mistakes Bradley did make, he then covered himself.
CM Jermaine Jones (5) – It was quite an erratic outing from the Schalke man. He wildly alternated between probing passes and bad giveaways, won free kicks and blown defensive assignments.
RW Graham Zusi (7) – In the first half, things might have been brighter if his open play crosses matched the danger of his restarts. After the break, Zusi got the attack going and his wise dummy aided the winning play.
CAM Clint Dempsey (5.5) – It just wasn't clicking in the final third for Deuce, who would normally put away at least one of those open headers. He should have earned a penalty kick on the scramble header.
LW Eddie Johnson (5.5) – After causing some danger with an early foul near the US box, Johnson worked decently in possession until being removed. There wasn't much cutting edge to his outing, though.
CHECK OUT THE CONCACAF HEXAGONAL STANDINGS
FWD Jozy Altidore (7.5) – Starved of the ball for much of the first half, the AZ Alkmaar sniper was at the heart of some skillful moves that didn't quite connect in the end. When he finally got his chance, Altidore made no mistake with a mature lefty finish to bag the points.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann (7) – While the decision to re-install Jones was questionable, most of the team's problems were in execution. The US got better as the night progressed and thankfully did not simply sit back after taking the lead.
Substitutes:
DM Geoff Cameron (6) – After a quick error on arrival, the defensive midfield sub worked well.
LW Brad Davis (6) – The Dynamo playmaker offered 16 minutes of energetic relief.
LB Edgar Castillo (-) – A mere cameo for 'El Homie'.
