There is plenty of blame to go around after the US national team's Gold Cup charge ended one game short in Wednesday night's 2-1 loss against Jamaica in Atlanta.
Jurgen Klinsmann returned the boys to an old formation, which helped them to a wide possession advantage and a slew of threatening rushes into the final third. However, their passing through the midfield was often sloppy, their finishing was not quite crisp enough and their mistakes at the back proved too much to overcome.
Brad Guzan (4.5) - The US netminder was in solid command most of the night and it would be hard to fault him on the looping Jamaica opener. However, Guzan takes layers of blame on their winner, which he teed up by handling the ball over the box line on a throw. Then, despite no movement from his wall, he was slow to take off for the ensuing Giles Barnes free kick.
Brad Evans (6) - While it was certainly not a star show, there wasn't much to ding Evans for over his full shift. He could have passed a bit better, but one of his long throws did set up a good late chance.
Ventura Alvarado (4.5) - The Club América defender started the contest brightly, highlighted by a shrewd double stand at the door to the US box in the 11th minute. Things began turning sour when Alvarado was badly caught watching the serve on Darren Mattocks' headed opener. His night never really recovered.
John Anthony Brooks (5) - The Hertha Berlin back line marshal tightened up considerably and added some incisive passes forward after the Jamaica damage had been done. Of course that was following some sloppy work in the US end, culminating in late recognition from Brooks on the first Reggae Boyz strike.
Fabian Johnson (6.5) - It was a busy night for Johnson, who fed, led or joined nine final third rushes on the night. The 'Gladbach ace was unable to produce the end product, though. At the defensive end, Johnson's heaping handful of defensive stops was slightly offset by a pair of dangerous crosses allowed past too easily.
Kyle Beckerman (5) - The defensive midfielder twice put his side in early trouble with fouls near the home area, including a yellow card offense. After a particularly bad late first half turnover, Beckerman then tidied up his act until leaving midway through the second frame.
Michael Bradley (5.5) - The captain was certainly as eager as ever, such as when following up strongly to bag the lone US goal. Bradley also asked several questions of the Jamaican back, including a sinister drive that seemed to hypnotize Reggae Boyz 'keeper Ryan Thompson. All that said, the midfielder was a shade off most of the night. He was caught in possession from behind and shipped bad short passes far more times than usual. He still accomplishes more than most on an off night, but he under-fed the US attack.
Gyasi Zardes (5.5) - Other than serving up one unnecessary danger free kick on the backtrack, the biggest problem with Zardes' outing is that he didn't see the ball nearly enough. When utilized, he helped the team into some dangerous postures.
Clint Dempsey (6.5) - Deuce also needed the ball more often. Most of the quality US moves featured either a deft Dempsey touch or one of his seven shot attempts. The only thing missing was involvement in the strike that could rescue the holders but never came.
Alejandro Bedoya (6) The Nantes wing engine saw more action than the other US attackers, and he frequently spent his participation putting dangerous balls into or toward the Jamaica box. As with the rest, though, a little more cutting edge would have gone a long way on this night.
Aron Jóhannsson (5.5) - The No. 9 played a decent first half and nearly swiped a goal pressuring Thompson near the Jamaica net. Jóhannsson's performance dipped quite a bit, however, after he somehow failed to nod home the rebound off a Johnson free kick.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann (5) - We could make some gripes over the odd lineup choice or maneuver, but for the most part, this individual game defeat should fall on the players. The coach set them up to own 60% of the ball and threaten enough to take 20 shots, and his subs were sensible if a tad late. If anything, we should arch our eyebrows at all the time spent fooling with midfield diamonds when Klinsmann would then suddenly dial up the 4-2-3-1 as the situation got serious. The lack of continuity showed.
Subs:
Mix Diskerud (6) - His most significant action in half-of-a-half was a last man stand to help halt Jamaica's onrushing counter in the 82nd minute. Mix's famous late heroics will have to wait for other nights.
Alan Gordon (6) - The target man made his presence felt in the air, but never quite found the right taker for his knockdowns. Gordon could have done a little better with his best looks at goal, but he still drew a pair of low saves.
DeAndre Yedlin (5.5) - Aside from a booking, there wasn't much achieved by the 78th minute attack sub.
