USA v Venezuela Player Ratings

Jose Romero covered the USA v Venezuela match last night for MLSSoccer.com.

With a day to reflect on what he saw, here are his player ratings for the US team.

U.S. player ratings vs. Venezuela

By Jose M. Romero/for Prost Amerika

PHOENIX — Let’s get this out of the way now – yes, I am aware that this was an American “B” team, far from the roster for say, a World Cup or Confederations Cup. And these weren’t all the same Venezuelans who shined in Copa America play last year and are on the rise as a soccer nation.

That being said, Saturday night’s match at University of Phoenix Stadium was entertaining, and featured a spirited effort from a team of American players that really looked like they bought in to coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s philosophy and methods. Victory was deserved given that the U.S. was by far the more attacking team and generated perhaps 10 quality scoring chances over the 90-plus minutes.

On to the ratings (scale of 1 to 10):

STARTERS

GK Bill Hamid: The D.C. United keeper wasn’t needed much, and after overcoming some early first-cap jitters took care of business in the net. There’s no denying his athleticism at the position and he looks like the future in goal for the Americans.

Grade: 8

D A.J. DeLaGarza: If not for being somewhat overshadowed on the L.A. Galaxy back line by teammate Omar Gonzalez, DeLaGarza could be in the conversation as the best in MLS at his position. His play at right back Saturday was so solid that Klinsmann hardly had anything to say about it, meaning DeLaGarza attacked well, marked well and showed a defender-first mentality. He has a national team debut to remember.

Grade: 8

D Michael Parkhurst: Solid in the middle with his passing and positioning. His international experience really showed in earning his 10^th cap.

Grade: 8

D Geoff Cameron: Showed good versatility as both a strong defender and someone who can move the ball forward.  Quietly controlled the middle and shut down any attack down the middle of the field Venezuela attempted, and when things got a bit physical, he was right in the middle of it as he always seems to be for the Houston Dynamo.

Grade: 9

 

D Heath Pearce: Had a rather quiet but effective 72 minutes before being subbed off, a performance indicative of the U.S. defense as a whole.

Grade: 8

M Jeff Larentowicz: Didn’t make much happen from his position in a match where there were opportunities to do so often, and was subbed off in the 62^nd minute as Klinsmann went for the win.

Grade: 6

M  Jermaine Jones: Took the captaincy to heart, especially in the second half when he was the biggest difference in the match and looked like the best player on the pitch. Made a few great runs and passes and was clearly in top condition despite only being with the U.S. team a week. Got cautioned for a silly foul but that slight recklessness with which he plays is more an advantage than a detriment.

Grade: 9

M Graham Zusi: Sporting KC man had a better first half than second but that first half was strong for someone earning his first cap. Subbed out at the 74^th minute for more offensive punch.

Grade: 7

M Benny Feilhaber: Might have had the best first half of any U.S. player. Deserved at least one assist if not more and guided the attack for 62 minutes before leaving for a sub.

Grade: 8

M Brek Shea: Another player who had a strong first half and was a factor in the box for headers on goal. Probably should have put one of his chances away but it wasn’t to be, as Venezuela goalkeeper Jose Morales was Herculean in goal until the end.

Grade: 8

 

F Teal Bunbury: Sporting KC forward looked sharp early but his play kind of faded away and he wasn’t very effective for much of the game. It just wasn’t his night.

 

Grade: 5

 

SUBSTITUTES

 

M Zach Loyd: Played well after entering in the 72^nd minute and sent in a fine cross that was a good scoring chance late.

 

Grade: 7

 

M Ricardo Clark: One would hardly have known he was in the game until he happened to be in the right place at the right time for the winning goal, a header in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time. One big play is all it takes sometimes.

 

Grade: 7

 

F C.J. Sapong: Showed some physicality and a nose for the goal in his 24 minutes on the field. He’s a matchup problem for a lot of defenses for sure. Looks like he has a future on the national team.

 

Grade: 8

 

F Chris Wondolowski: Face it, Wondo lives in the box. He had a chance to win the match in regular time but was the victim of another miraculous save. Has a scorer’s mentality and plays to his strengths, and like Sapong was difficult to mark in his limited time on the pitch.

 

Grade: 8

 

M Brad Evans: Well, when he entered the game, he was introduced as being from Phoenix, Arizona, so that was a bonus for the Seattle Sounders man who got to play before his hometown crowd. Came on in the 88^th minute, not long enough to earn a grade.

 

Jose’s Match Reporting on MLSSoccer.com

Recap: Clark’s late header gives US 1-0 win

US displays fitness, tactical acumen

Feilhaber: Stoppage-time winner was just reward for US