A disheartening night at the Rose Bowl saw the “home” side come out on top, as Mexico dominated the United States into extra time in a 3-2 score line that didn’t tell the story.
[ MATCH RECAP: Mexico 3-2 (aet) USMNT -- Pure El Tri dominance ]
Will it be Jurgen Klinsmann’s last match in charge? If so, here’s how his final choices fared in defeat.
Starting XI
Brad Guzan -- 6 -- He’s not going to do anything on the first goal, and he cleaned up some serious messes during the first 90. In fact, we were ready to say he silenced some doubters tonight, in particular with a big, late save in extra time. But the Aston Villa man was too shallow on Aguilar’s winner. You may say that’s harsh, but a No. 1 guy isn’t beaten there... or at least finds a way to stop one of three. Mexico is not Belgium. But Guzan was not Tim Howard.
DaMarcus Beasley -- 4 -- Very good work from the veteran... until he was victimized on the first extra time goal, and charged out of position on the second. Dang.
Matt Besler -- 5 -- Beaten for the Chicharito goal, and could’ve been beaten for several more. May’ve avoided a calamitous handball non-call. But his extra time, including a timely clearance of a Guzan rebound gets him from 4 to 5.
Geoff Cameron -- 8 -- Honestly, could’ve put a 10 here and not felt bad about it until he faltered on the extra time goal. Commanding performance from the Yanks’ first goal scorer.
Fabian Johnson (Off 111') -- 4 -- One of his worse games in the red, white and blue. Very, very messy. Probably a bit too used to playing wing with ‘Gladbach, but that’s not a good excuse.
Kyle Beckerman -- 6 -- Did his job, but provided little moving forward.
Jermaine Jones -- 4 -- He came. He saw. He lashed long shots over the bar and was roasted on the extra time goal.
Michael Bradley -- 6 -- You’d call him one of the match’s best players, but it’s difficult to score him too high when he was the general of a bossed unit.
Gyasi Zardes (Off 78') -- 4 -- An ordinary performance with some bad touches and not too many moments of positivity. Part of that was Dempsey taking a nap, but you want better from the Californian.
Clint Dempsey -- 3 -- He’s getting all three of those points out of respect for former contributions. Almost invisible aside from a dribble or two.
Jozy Altidore (Off 98') -- 4 -- Some nice hold-up moments and flicks, and won the majority of the States’ scant few free kicks. Overall, we’re left wanting much, much more. Looked gassed from about the 60th minute onward. Horrific giveaway on one of the States’ only extra time counters.
Subs
DeAndre Yedlin (On 78') -- 6 -- Looked uncomfortable, diving and sliding like a desperate man. His pace was desperately needed, but essentially ended up as a fifth back. Until the gorgeous ball for Wood, which makes up for everything.
Bobby Wood (On 98') -- 8 -- “Who. Is. This. Guy!” That’s the text I got right after the goal. I don’t have the answer, either.
Brad Evans (On 111') -- N/A