The United States men’s national team is now one Gold Cup title behind Mexico after claiming its sixth trophy with a 2-1 win over Jamaica on Thursday in California.
[ MORE: Recap | Altidore’s free kick | 3 things ]
How did the individual champs fare? Read on...
Starting XI
Tim Howard -- 6 -- He’s not going to do much better on the goal, short of Landon Donovan’s suggestion to keep a man on the back post. The Yanks’ clear No. 1.
Jorge Villafana -- 5 -- A rough night, but all-in-all may be Arena’s best option provided Fabian Johnson doesn’t move back to LB for ‘Gladbach season.
Omar Gonzalez -- 7 -- See below.
Matt Besler -- 7 -- Didn’t have to do too much, but etched his name as the third or fourth CB for Russia 2018.
Graham Zusi -- 6 -- Maybe his best game of his oft-maligned tournament, even if the game is much different with Darren Mattocks doing something better after cooking Zusi early on the flank. He’s a midfielder for me, maybe a RWB in a 3-5-2.
Michael Bradley -- 7 -- He was given the Golden Ball in one of those rare moments that prove voters watch players who aren’t goal scorers, and he deserved it. Bradley seems to have come out of his NT dark period, and was mostly very good in the tournament.
Kellyn Acosta (Off 55') -- 5 -- Passing was off, and seemed a little too eager to jump passes and betray his position.
Paul Arriola (Off 76') -- 6 -- Ran his shorts off, but still missing the right bit of service needed from a man out wide. Improved World Cup stock, but had a chance to do even more.
Darlington Nagbe (Off 90+1') -- 8 -- Every time I blow off a player due to early struggles to adapt to the NT set-up, remind me how wonderful Nagbe looked in this tournament.
Jordan Morris -- 7 -- There’s something to be said for any player coming back from a missed opportunity and a lost mark on the Jamaica equalizer. His match winner coming moments after he bungled a chance to pass home with his left foot says a lot for the future of Standord’s industrious striker.
Jozy Altidore -- 8 -- He’s a CONCACAF killer, and somehow when he drops deep into the midfield we’re okay with it. Yes, Andre Blake stops his free kick. But Andre Blake wasn’t there, was he?
Subs
Clint Dempsey (On 55') -- 7 -- Clint Dempsey = super sub. It makes us super happy to say/read, and we’re hoping he’s a rich man’s Carlos Ruiz.
Gyasi Zardes (On 76') -- 5 -- I championed his inclusion into the NT for a while, but how he has a place other than a status as a longtime Arena player is baffling. His cross which led to the winner didn’t look to be anything more than a Hail Mary.
Dax McCarty (On 90+1') -- N/A