Though the US national team continued their streak of opening every CONCACAF Gold Cup with a victory on Tuesday night, beating Honduras 2-1 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, it was a bit more difficult for Jurgen Klinsmann and the boys than necessary.
The Nats' 4-4-2 diamond set allowed the visitors to edge the possession battle and pile up a 16-6 edge in shots fired, but a pair of Clint Dempsey set-piece strikes were thankfully enough to claim three points.
As a periodic reminder, all marks are based on a scale with "6" denoting an average performance. The grades are handed out relative to minutes played, meaning that a "7" earned over a full shift is considered more impressive than one given for 15 minutes of work.
Brad Guzan (7.5) - Big Brad 2.0 made a wide array of 'keeper plays, including a pair of big stops sandwiched around a crowded punch inside the first six minutes. However, Guzan was also docked after getting away with flapping at an 82nd-minute cross.
Timothy Chandler (4) - He saved Gyasi Zardes’ bacon shortly after the break and provided a bit of possession push up his flank, but the Eintracht Frankfurt right back was passed by plenty of traffic in the US end. He was easily outshined by his sub.
Ventura Alvarado (4) - Clearly still getting the hang of the international game, Alvarado will have decent-sized spells where he operates quite smoothly. Then, suddenly, he is skinned at the door to the area. Or he lags the line to allow a good chance. Or he makes a timid slide over and Carlos Discua walks in to halve the lead late.
John Anthony Brooks (5) - The Hertha Berlin center back piled up a half-dozen big clearances throughout the night, making one wish the US could keep Honduras wine and dine on crosses. But they could not, and Brooks eventually erred badly a few times as the visitors traveled by ground. After falling victim to a nasty turn at the half-hour mark, he was pulled out of position when they scored late.
Fabian Johnson (5.5) - Like Brooks, Johnson ran hot and cold. The 'Gladbach ace made some highly bothersome – and sorely needed – advances into attack, most notably with a terrific drive-and-dish for DeAndre Yedlin in the 31st minute. However, he also had a several defensive hiccups and was routinely caught up.
Kyle Beckerman (4.5) - After a string of fine showings dating back to World Cup 2014, the Real Salt Lake bulldog had an off night. He was often overrun and compounded matters with a few stray passes. Beckerman did come up with a surprising pair of important set-piece clearances, though.
DeAndre Yedlin (5) - The Tottenham prospect made a great run to earn a scoring chance from the aforementioned Johnson set-up run. Mostly, though, his rushes forward stopped at providing pressure relief. Yedlin also could have offered more consistent help tracking back, and his late turnover-leading-to-a-foul gave Honduras one last crack at an equalizer.
Gyasi Zardes (4.5) - Other than a couple of nifty moves around the Honduras box that fell short of final product, it was a tough night for Zardes. He was among the culpable on the goal leak and also put the back in trouble with one sloppy clearance attempt and a bad turnover in the late going.
Michael Bradley (6.5) - The skipper was involved in both scoring plays, which was just enough to nudge his grade above passing. It was not his best night, but then again, he was not utilized in his best position.
Clint Dempsey (7.5) - If the US made a significant move into attack, Deuce probably got his uniform dirty along the way. The stat sheet says he earned five free kicks, but it felt like a dozen. And then there is the sizable matter of those two goals, otherwise known as the difference in the game.
Jozy Altidore (5.5) - It was a seesaw display from the Toronto FC power forward. Altidore struggled for 24 minutes, but closed the first frame strong after serving up a fat rebound for Dempsey to bag the opener. Then, he largely vanished after the break and was removed near the hour.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann (4.5) - It's no secret that this reporter shudders every time the US opens in a diamond, and we saw a persistent demonstration of the reasons why. The opening 20 minutes was miserable and, while Klinsi's subs all performed well, none entered to significantly alter the system/tide. Adjustments were both visibly required and seemingly ignored, which means they remain on the to-do list. At least the boss programmed the boys to run at Honduras and draw restarts, because that is precisely what saved the day.
Subs:
Chris Wondolowski (6) - Though a bit starved for touches, Wondo offered up solid hold-up moves and a few good runs that went unrewarded.
Brad Evans (7) - In 27 minutes of action, Evans made more big defensive stops than both of the starting wide backs combined. And he made it look easy.
Graham Zusi (6.5) - When you enter a tourney match in the waning moments, you may get a grade. Zusi earned a decent one for a couple of steals and some valuable pressure valve work.
