American soccer fans have had a week to calm down now.
The USMNT’s 4-0 loss to rampant Argentina in the Copa America Centenario semifinals was hard to watch, and the valiant digestif served in a 1-0 loss to Colombia only helped a bit with the hangover.
[ MORE: Hodgson takes the heat ]
The reality check was a stiff one for those who believe the United States of America should compete on the same level with the world’s best, and overshadowed what was a goal-meeting, encouraging run into the Final Four of a legendary and difficult tournament.
For those who see the USMNT as a project, it was still tough to swallow. A semifinal is a terrific result, but could tactics have helped against Argentina? Were these our best players? Should we have expected more from Jurgen Klinsmann?
[ USMNT PLAYER RATINGS DATABASE: vs. Colombia (GS) | vs. Costa Rica | vs. Paraguay | vs. Ecuador | vs. Argentina ]
And what about the players? That’s the question we’ll answer today, as we evaluate the USMNT’s 23 men from a memorable tournament.
Kyle Beckerman
Tournament dossier: 4 matches, 1 start, 90 mins total
He’s served the States well in the past, but his days being useful against dangerous attacking teams seem behind him. Woeful in a tough spot against Argentina (Rating: 4.5)
Alejandro Bedoya
Tournament dossier: 5 matches, 5 starts, 399 mins
3 shots, 2 yellow cards, 10 fouls committed, 2 fouls suffered
An integral part of the team and a big reason the Argentina match was lopsided, Bedoya nonetheless did not have the impact we’ve come to expect from the Nantes man (Rating: 6)
Matt Besler
Tournament dossier: 2 matches, 2 starts, 180 mins
Did a job under tough circumstances, and could be a left back option for the 2018 World Cup if no one steps forward (Rating: 6)
Steve Birnbaum
Tournament dossier: 2 matches, 31 mins
Limited appearances, and one big mistake. Happy to go with letters here for a promising player (Rating: N/A)
John Brooks
Tournament dossier: 5 matches, 5 starts, 450 mins
It’s too early to say he’s come into his own, but Brooks belonged on the all-tournament team after showing a lot more wisdom in positions and decisions. (Rating: 9)
Michael Bradley
Tournament dossier: 6 matches, 6 starts, 529 mins
2 shots
His 12 crosses were almost unrivaled on the team, with DeAndre Yedlin the only other player with more than four (eight). The motor was still going for one of the country’s all-time players, but at times he was surprisingly bewildered. The giveaways were alarming, and perhaps there’s an argument for using him further up the pitch. Offensive production was limited. (Rating: 5)
Geoff Cameron
Tournament dossier: Played every minute
Versatile and at times dominant, Cameron showed us he could’ve been the difference in last summer’s Gold Cup. (Rating: 8)
Clint Dempsey
Tournament dossier: 6 matches, 6 starts, 460 mins
3 goals, 2 assists, 19 shots, 7 on goal
Does this guy live for the summer or what? The ex-Fulham and Spurs man buried big shot after big shot one year after scoring a career best nine international goals. Consider these numbers:
Before Klinsmann: 22 goals in 75 caps
After Klinsmann: 30 goals in 55 caps (Rating: 9)
Brad Guzan
Tournament dossier: 5 matches, 5 starts, 450 mins, 18 saves
Led the tournament in saves and starred in several matches, including the stirring win over Paraguay, but had a couple rough matches along the way. Overall, he was strong enough to suit the side’s needs. (Rating: 6.5)
Tim Howard
Tournament dossier: 1 match, 1 start, 90 mins
Only got to play one game as the younger Guzan gets every chance to show he can be a World Cup starter. Was dynamite (Rating: 8)
Fabian Johnson
Tournament dossier: 5 matches, 5 starts, 450 mins, four shots
Some fits and starts for the left back, which is understandable considering how often he plays left wing for his club. That said, as we’ve seen with David Alaba at Austria, as a star and versatile player you have to fill the biggest need for your national team. Johnson did fine with that (Rating: 7)
Jermaine Jones
Tournament dossier: 5 matches, 5 starts, 388 mins, 1 goal, 1 assist, 5 shots, two yellow cards, red card
Loses a point for his red card, which looks worse and worse upon review. Still, he’s shown an ageless quality in athleticism, his guile is emblematic of the team, and he’s going to make the World Cup roster unless the USMNT fails to make the tourney or he suffers a major injury (Rating: 7)
Darlington Nagbe
Tournament dossier: 3 matches, 47 mins
Has the misfortune of being behind a well-function three-man midfield, and has done well enough for us to ask whether he’ll get a look over or next to Bradley in the next friendly.
Michael Orozco
Tournament dossier: 2 matches, 1 start, 129 mins, two yellow cards
While we still would’ve liked to see Eric Lichaj or another full back who could hold his own over Orozco, he didn’t kill anything. Yes, even with his silly red card against Colombia (Rating: 5).
Christian Pulisic
Tournament dossier: 3 matches, 85 mins
Looked dangerous, promising, lovely... and 17. Will be a force one day, and the experience will help him (Rating: 6)
Chris Wondolowski
Tournament dossier: 2 matches, 1 start, 57 mins
His form in MLS hinted that he might be able to do a job for the Yanks, but he was statuesque at times and unfit as a hold-up player at the Copa America Centenario level. We don’t want to beat down one of the all-time good stories in USMNT, so let’s move onto this --
Please get well soon: Aron Johannsson, Terrence Boyd or Jozy Altidore.
See you soon: Jordan Morris, Jerome Kiesewetter
Improve: Julian Green, Fafa Picault
Please write letters to Jurgen: C.J. Sapong, Mike Grella, maybe even Will Bruin (Rating: 3.5)
Bobby Wood
Tournament dossier: 5 matches, 5 starts, 399 mins, 1 goal, 5 shots, 13 fouls suffered, 11 committed
If Wood’s finish was on point, he would’ve potted 4-5 goals and been the breakout start of the tournament. That aside, he was borderline dominant and the embodiment of what U.S. fans want to see in their strikers (You know, aside from the goals) (Rating: 8).
DeAndre Yedlin
Tournament dossier: 5 matches, 5 starts, 408 mins
red card, nine fouls committed
He’s much, much improved and still has a long way to go. The motor is fine, and the speed is wonderful. You can tell he gained savvy in defense under Sam Allardyce at Sunderland, but still has to learn tricks of the trade like when a player like Carlos Bacca is going to give that little tug that pushes him to a razor-thin goal (Rating: 6.5)
Graham Zusi
Tournament dossier: 5 matches, 1 start, 138 mins
1 goal, 1 shot on goal
Not going to be the first name on the team sheet any time soon, but could prove to be one of the unsung heroes of a dicey time in USMNT history. His work in the big win over Guatemala kickstarted a rebirth of sorts that prove Klinsmann knows he has an asset in Zusi (Rating: 6).
Gyasi Zardes
Tournament dossier: 6 matches, 6 starts, 539 mins
1 goal, 1 assist, 6 shots, 11 fouls suffered
The most difficult player to judge in American soccer history? Klinsmann keeps trotting the big man out there despite matches where his body never catches up to his brain. It’s clear he has a great understanding of the game and is improving in wonderful ways. If only his first touch -- which is not being criticized too harshly, could improve a bit -- he’d be a 1-2 punch with Zardes that would overwhelm most back lines in CONCACAF. (Rating: 6)
DNP: Edgar Castillo, Ethan Horvath, Perry Kitchen