EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT --
It was a bittersweet scene on Friday night as Landon Donovan’s international career came to an end after a solid 40 minute outing in the 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
Playing just inside of Jozy Altidore, Donovan found pockets of space in between the opposition midfield and defense but was unable to complete the storybook ending with a final match goal.
A dinged post and a header straight at Ecuador goalkeeper Maximo Banguera were his best looks but it wasn’t to be. Overall, it was a strong performance by Donovan and his National Team peers as Mix Diskerud’s 5th minute goal was balanced out by a dipping Enner Valencia effort in the 88th minute.
Below are the player ratings for the US.
STARTERS
Brad Guzan – 6.5
Called to duty on four occasions in the first half, producing a brilliant shoulder block on Renato Ibarra in the 27th minute and strong reaction to a Jozy Altidrore deflection on the ensuing corner. Looked destined for a clean sheet before Valencia’s dipping effort left Guzan stone-footed.
Greg Garza -- 6.5
Impressive performance from the 23-year-old Tijuana left-back. Lively getting forward, nearly finding himself through on goal but for a Diskerud mispass, and produced a number of strong defensive challenges including a sensational sliding block on Valencia to deny him a clear chance on target.
John Brooks (off for Ream, ’62) -- 6
Quiet first half where he found himself disjointed with center-back partner Michael Orozco but improved positioning and communication in the second half to put together a performance to be proud of.
Michael Orozco (off for Gonzalez, ’62) -- 6
Stood up well to Valencia on multiple occasions, producing a superb lunging tackle in the 17th minute before standing him up in the 26th minute, forcing a weak shot that Guzan easily collected. Quieter in the second half but solid overall.
Timmy Chandler -- 4
Looked anxious throughout the match, giving the ball away unnecessarily on a few occasions and running himself out of position on others. Possesses fantastic attacking ability and could’ve been in on goal on a second half run but went down easily to draw the penalty and the ref wasn’t having it. Talented but still has aways to go in terms of maturity.
Joe Gyau (off for Wood, ’22) -- N/A
Displayed breakaway pace on two occasions before going off in the 21st minute with a reported sprained left knee.
Mix Diskerud – 6.5
Excellent finish on the goal and pulled all the strings for the US in the first half. Enjoyed acres of space throughout the match but faded at times in the second half and tried to do too much when the simple pass was on. When and if he gives a full 90, Diskerud will run this team.
Alejandro Bedoya -- 5.5
Was decent but underwhelming in the middle, won a few nice tackles but seemed tentative with his positioning alongside Diskerud, unsure of whether to take an advanced or defensive role. Confirmed his status as a winger.
DeAndre Yedlin – 7.5
Tremendous performance from the Sounders man. Showed his versatility doing it on the right wing tonight, was strong, pacy and played a number of slick passes both through the air and on the ground. Displayed great vision on the assist to Diskerud, dropping the pass back from the by line.
Jozy Altidore (off for Wondolowski, ’76) -- 6
Beastmode. Great strength in the hold up play, Altidore complimented his physicality by laying off some stellar balls for Donovan and others to run on to. Faded a bit in the second half.
Landon Donovan (off for Corona, ’41) -- 7.5
Nearly enjoyed a storybook ending when Alitdore found him clear through on goal but his carefully placed effort dinged the post. Also had an open header that was right at Banguera but he created the goal and was lively for the 40 minutes he played.
SUBSTITUTES
Bobby Wood (on for Gyau,’22) -- 6.5
Worked his tail off and got himself in a number of dangerous positions going forward. Should’ve done better when Alfredo Morales provided a soft back post pass that he vollied wide and again, just before the final whistle when his last ditch pass to Wondolowski came too slow. Worked well with Donovan and Yedlin throughout the match and looks to be a potential one for the future. Needs more reps, wears his heart on his sleeve.
Joe Corona (on for Donovan, ‘41) -- 5.5
Didn’t see a ton of the ball, was solid when he did but from his place in the center of the park it was a relatively unremarkable performance.
Tim Ream (on for Brooks, ’62) – 6.5
Produced a key block the minute he stepped on the pitch and another one on Joao Plata in the 87th minute before Valencia’s looper went over his head.
Omar Gonzalez (on for Orozco, ’62) – 6
Wasn’t called to task too much but did well to contain Valencia during his 68th minute charge into the box.
Alfredo Morales (on for Bedoya, ’62) – 5.5
Impressive swerving cross that Wood could’ve scored on in the 65th but overall a quiet performance.
Chris Wondolowski (on for Altidore, ‘76) – N/A
Would’ve scored had Wood found him on the cross in the final minute.
