Player Ratings: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Canada

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the United States National Team players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Brian O’Connell and Sean Donahue contributed ratings for the USA’s 2-0 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C victory over Canada.

Tim Howard – Average Rating: 7.25 (Brian 7, Sean 7.5)

Goalkeeper Tim Howard was one of the U.S.'s top performers on Tuesday. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Bailed out his backline in the waning minutes; overall solid job in net all night. (Brian) … Came up huge in the last 20 minutes of the game to preserve the shutout. Looked unbeatable. (Sean)

Tim Ream – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Fared much better against Canada, of course, but there were times when he looked overmatched. (Brian) … Rarely under much pressure until late in the match. Decent performance overall, but beaten on the dribble by Simeon Jackson in the 57th minute. (Sean)

Clarence Goodson – Average Rating: 6 (Brian 6, Sean 6)
Decisive in the back, made very few mistakes. (Brian) … Again, rarely under pressure until late, but a solid performance and a few nice passes when he got forward on set pieces. (Sean)

Carlos Bocanegra – Average Rating: 5.25 (Brian 5, Sean 5.5)
Surprisingly caught out of position late; tired legs perhaps? (Brian) … Scuffed a great early chance and looked a bit shaky late, but looked strong for most of the match. (Sean)

Clint Dempsey – Average Rating: 7.25 (Brian 7.5, Sean 7)
Dangerous all night, made good runs and was smart in the attacking third. Goal was icing on the cake. (Brian) … Threatened on a creative volley just minutes before his excellently taken goal and always looked dangerous, but a couple times in the first half was too indecisive in the final third and too hesitant to pass. (Sean)

Michael Bradley – Average Rating: 6.25 (Brian 6, Sean 6.5)
Good workrate, made heady runs into the attacking third, but hoofed a few optimistic shots. (Brian) … Very active on both sides of the ball. Well positioned to get on the end of several clearances and keep the attacks going. (Sean)

Jermaine Jones – Average Rating: 5.75 (Brian 5.5, Sean 6)
Much, MUCH better this go round. Patient on the ball, helped in the back.  (Brian) … Some precision long passes to spark a few U.S. attacks in the first half. Faded a bit before being subbed in the second half. (Sean)

Landon Donovan – Average Rating: 7.5 (Brian 7.5, Sean 7.5)
My vote for man of the match; class of the field, smart runs, good passes, helped in the rear. (Brian) … Found holes in the defense with great vision on his passes throughout the match. Played a role in both goals and was also active in getting back to defend. (Sean)

Jozy Altidore – Average Rating: 7.25 (Brian 7, Sean 7.5)
Nice work on the goal, even if it was a tad lucky, and good pass on the Dempsey goal. (Brian) … Given more space this match and took full advantage. Altidore was always looking for the ball and looked dangerous every time he had it. Lucky or not, it was good work from Altidore to find space for the first goal and an excellent set-up for the second. (Sean)

Juan Agudelo – Average Rating: 5.25 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5)
Brought good energy, but faded late; needs to figure out what kind of striker he’s going to be. (Brian) … U.S. was on the attack a lot in the first half, but Agudelo wasn’t much of a part of it. Caught offside a few times, ending potential chances. (Sean)

(sub) Chris Wondolowski – Average Rating: 4.5 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
Didn’t add much, but it was hard to do with all the clock-killing football around him. (Brian) … Failed to make an impact after entering, but the U.S. had taken their foot off the gas at that point. (Sean)

(sub) Sacha Kljestan – Average Rating: 5 (Brian 5, Sean 5)
Helped in the rear, but didn’t really factor in the middle. (Brian) … Bringing on Kljestan allowed Dempsey to move up top where he’s often looked dangerous, but the move didn’t seem to benefit either position on Tuesday. (Sean)

(sub) Maurice Edu – Average: 5.75 (Brian 6, Sean 5.5)
Put in work amid his teammates’ defensive lapses; good effort to build off of. (Brian) … Lacked the time to make an impact, but worked hard in his limited minutes. (Sean)