Even with the caveat that the U.S. men’s national team is expected to beat Saint Vincent and The Grenadines 11 times out of 10, the Yanks gave us plenty to love in Friday’s 6-0 win.
They also gave Jurgen Klinsmann a lot to ponder. With Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Clint Dempsey, Gyasi Zardes, and John Brooks all unavailable, the American alternates took turns throttling SVG in Kingstown.
[ MORE: Match recap | Three things ]
Who fared best? Dig in...
Starting XI
Brad Guzan — 7 — Didn’t have a ton to do, but did it.
Kellyn Acosta — 6 — Bright and lively down the left side. Still has a lot to learn about the position, but has a guide in Yedlin.
Matt Besler — 7 — Love seeing him score on the day his daughter was born, and handled what little trouble SVG produced fairly well.
Geoff Cameron — 8 — Wasn’t troubled much, but handled it exactly how we’ve come to expect from the Yanks’ most consistent performer.
DeAndre Yedlin — 6 — An early yellow card was a bit troubling -- he’ll miss the T&T match on Tuesday -- but used his pace well.
Kyle Beckerman — 8 — Like Altidore, he may not always show well against elite teams, but he’s too hearty and smart not to control games like this.
Alejandro Bedoya (Off 66') — 6 — Had very little trouble as a more focal and complete part of the attack.
[ MORE: Men in Blazers chat with Pulisic ]
Graham Zusi — 7 — Controlled yet dangerous, the composed veteran is almost never rattled.
Fabian Johnson (Off 66') — 6 — Fought his touch and passing early, but was dangerous and one of the indicators of the gulf in class between the sides.
Jozy Altidore (Off 72') — 10 — Our lead writer and editor JPW would use the term “Star man” here. The in-form Toronto FC striker was far too much for SVG to handle.
Bobby Wood — 8 — We want to see him finish every breakaway, but he made up for his early flub of a “shoulda” goal with a terrific 20-yarder to make it 1-0.
[ WATCH: Pulisic, Kljestan combine... twice ]
Substitutes
Christian Pulisic (On 66') — 10 — His class is apparent every time he’s on the pitch, and Pulisic doesn’t turn 18 until later this month.
Pulisic becomes the youngest #USMNT scorer in World Cup Qualifying history at 17 years, 349 days. #USAvVIN, 4-0, 72'
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 2, 2016
Sacha Kljestan (On 66') — 9 — MLS fans have been calling for Klinsmann to recognize the Red Bulls’ playmaker for a while. It’ll be hard for him to ignore the midfielder now, even after Kljestan sliced a late chance for a brace wide of the frame.
Jordan Morris (On 72') — N/A — The future’s bright for Morris, but he wasn’t noticed much during his brief stint on the pitch in Kingstown.