The U.S. men's national team's 3-2 victory over Slovenia broke down into two parts. The exciting and encouraging offensive display in the first half and the shaky and discouraging debacle in the second half.
It was an important win for Jurgen Klinsmann, who ends his first year in charge of the United States on a winning note, and an encouraging note after an otherwise lackluster start.
We were treated to Fabian Johnson's first start for the United States, and the first match mainly using a 4-4-2 formation. We saw Edson Buddle make a statement, and Michael Bradley remove any doubts about whether or not he should be a regular starter.
We saw some negatives as well, particularly with a back-line that just didn't work well together. Timmy Chandler had his worst game since moving over to left back while Clarence Goodson saw his national team stock drop back to post 2009 Gold Cup final levels.
Here was my Fox Soccer column on the match, as well as my USA player grades. Feel free to give those a read and share your own thoughts on the match now that you've had a few days to digest the final U.S. national team match of the year.
Share your thoughts below.