That was disappointing, even if it was expected. If you’d told me before the game that the US would out xG Mexico, have the better of the play for 30 minutes of the game, but lose 1-0 on a really nice goal – I’d have taken it.
When I went back and re-watched the USMNT was really only “on top” for 20-30 minutes before Mexico started to control the game. Jozy was great for the first 30 minutes during this period and then pretty much disappeared. It’s no coincidence those things went together. To the grades.
If you haven’t read one of these before click here for an explanation of the grading system.
Notes:
Completed +/- Grades:
Ratings Guidelines
| 15+ | Excellent game |
| 9-14 | Played well to very well |
| 5-8 | Solid |
| 0-4 | Not great, Bob |
| Below 0 | Listening to my kids argue 😑 |
*The Adjusted Total uses the Elo ratings to take into account opponent and competition factors.*
Previous +/- game grades:
MOTM – Aaron Long (+9)
I’ve worried throughout this tournament that my numbers were selling Long short (lol – I didn’t do that on purpose btw). Even though his grade came out the highest I still think I’m underselling him a little bit. He and Miazga made Raul Jimenez (star Premier League striker) disappear. Do you remember anything Jimenez did? Long plays almost as a sweeper for the US. His speed and 1 v. 1 defending allow him to cover ground and clean up mistakes. He was really good vs. Mexico. I will be stalking Twitter for transfer rumors about him presently.
Other Good Performances
Christian Pulisic (+8)
Christian wasn’t as good as previous games, but he still created multiple moments of danger for the US. If a goal was going to be scored it was going to come from his dribbling or Altidore’s passing. It’ll be nice to see Pulisic play with a full team of players on his level again. Go Chelsea…?
Reggie Cannon (+7)
Reggie has given Berhalter something to think about. Pizzaro created basically zero danger in the first half while he was matched up with Cannon and then tortured Tim Ream/Michael Bradley when he got switched to the other side. I was a little critical of his passing in his first start (against Panama), but not this game. (I wonder if that was due to the full team of backups playing together.) He was also an offensive threat a couple times in addition to the stellar defense. If this Gold Cup did nothing but provide another realistic right back option…that’s a nice find.
Jozy Altidore (+7)
Jozy only played well for about 30 minutes (that’s exactly when the USMNT was creating chances), but it was an impressive 30 minutes. The touch and the passing during that period was really good. Sadly though, I thought I started seeing signs he was tired during the first half. I know he said he was fit, but his play didn’t show it and once he wasn’t creating danger the US was much less threatening.
Room to Improve
Michael Bradley (-2)
Michael didn’t have the legs to keep up with Rodolfo Pizarro. Matthew Tomaszewicz caught an adjustment Mexico made in the 2nd half. They managed to get Bradley/Ream matched up with Pizzaro + one other guy often. He/they couldn’t keep up. Bradley was my favorite national team player for a long time. I still feel bad for him because Klinsmann wasted his prime, but he doesn’t have the legs anymore.
Weston McKennie (-2)
I love Weston, but it wasn’t his night. He was the player most at fault for Mexico’s goal (lost a 50/50 and then didn’t track his guy), and he didn’t play any of the nice through balls or slipped passes we’ve come to expect from him. Could being named captain have gotten to him? Either way, it’s no real surprise the team lost when the engine room of the team didn’t play well/got overrun. On the plus side, Weston is 20 and the arrow is pointing up. Please don’t screw him over again this year, Schalke.
Conclusions
I’ll do some sort of plus/minus wrap up of the Gold Cup later this week or next, but in just looking at the Mexico game, it was a decent performance. The worrying thing imo is not the player performance it’s that Berhalter seemingly didn’t adjust well to the changes Tata Martino made. Maybe it is what Berhalter said and the team lacked the calmness/experience to deal with the changes (I’m betting Gregg believes the adjustments were already built in), or maybe GGG got outcoached.
The personnel problem will improve in the coming years. Last night I think the only person that had a chance to make a positive impact off the bench was Boyd (Why didn’t he get in? Injured? Punched someone in training? What?!). Spin this forward a year and a half and hopefully Gregg is bringing Uly Llanez and Jonathan Amon off the bench. That could actually make a difference (all apologies to Zardes and Daniel Lovitz).
Patience sucks.
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