By IVES GALARCEP
It may not have started the way Jurgen Klinsmann would have liked, but by the end of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s friendly vs. Turkey, the U.S. coach had to be happy with what he saw.
Klinsmann saw his team step up in the second half and erase a 1-0 deficit. He watched substitutes step in and make the most of their opportunities. He also watched a young player in Gyasi Zardes continue his evolution into key national team starter.
There were also some negatives. His starting central defenders didn’t exactly instill confidence. His starting attack was a bit lackluster as he tried Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya and neither really thrived.
Overall though, there was plenty to be optimistic about heading into Tuesday’s friendly against Brazil, and more importantly, next month’s Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico.
Here are the SBI Player Grades for the USMNT win against Peru:
USA 2, Peru 1: SBI PLAYER GRADES
BRAD GUZAN (6.5). Made some big saves to keep Peru from re-taking the lead in the second half and could do little about Peru’s deflected goal.
MICHAEL OROZCO (5). Did a serviceable job defensively, though his passing wasn’t always crisp. Attempted to get forward, but offered little there.
OMAR GONZALEZ (4) . Responsible for Peru’s goal after giving the shooter too much space before having shot deflect off him for the goal. Too reliant on passes back to Guzan, missed wide with a chance at goal.
JOHN BROOKS (5) . Better effort than in some of his shakier Gold Cup performances. Got caught forward a few too many times, but did well to race back into position before danger developed.
TIM REAM (7). Excellent defensively, cutting off almost every threat that was sent his way. Very calm on the ball and provided some much-needed sharp passing from the back. Partnered well with Gyasi Zardes, which could bode well for a future role at left back.
DEANDRE YEDLIN (6) . Very active, both in the attack and defensively. Used his speed to help the back-line, while also contributing to the offense, including the ball he sent in that eventually led to the game-winning goal.
JERMAINE JONES (6) . Far from perfect, but valuable performance as his presence in the middle helped force Peru to work the wings. Tried to force passes at times, but was consistently working to help push the team forward. Nearly scored a wonder goal only to see Peru’s goalkeeper make a stunning save. Influential effort in the middle.
ALEJANDRO BEDOYA (4.5) . Struggled to make his mark, particularly offensively. His normally tireless work rate was put to the test centrally, and at times he appeared to struggle. Probably would have benefited from having an extra player in central midfield. Was left with too much ground to cover.
GYASI ZARDES (7). Excellent in both halves, sent in several dangerous passes and made a handful of promising runs at the Peru defense. Helped set up the winning goal and also contributed quite a bit defensively. A complete performance.
JOZY ALTIDORE (6.5). Pretty fortunate on both goals, but deserves credit for drawing the penalty kick and following up his own saved attempt. Was sloppy with some touches and passes, and his attacking runs weren’t all that effective. Put in an impressive amount of defensive work, pressing Peru and showing the kind of work rate he has often been criticized for not providing.
BOBBY WOOD (5.5). Very active, though ineffective at times with his touches. Consistently made runs, but couldn’t find much success in the first half. Improved in the second half as the team gained control, and played a role in the buildup on the winner.
GEOFF CAMERON (6). Effective shift at right back, handled every attacking threat his way, and his long throw-in helped set up Altidore on the play that drew a penalty kick.
MIX DISKERUD (6). Very good shift in central midfield. Diskerud pressed well, forcing turnovers, and he delivered dangerous passes to create chances. Looked a far more confident player than the one we have watched struggle with NYCFC.
MATT BESLER (6). Best shift of all the central defenders who played on Friday, Besler made a plethora of important clearances, including his effort to keep Peru from finding a go-ahead goal in the second half after Brad Guzan’s stunning double save.
VENTURA ALVARADO (5). Tidy shift. Avoid the kind of blunders that plagued him at the Gold Cup, but was far less impressive than Besler in the second half.
ARON JOHANNSSON (5). Short shift, but did his part to boost the attack, drawing a dangerous free kick late, and combining well with his teammates.
DANNY WILLIAMS (5). Made some key plays later in the match, but didn’t have much time to really put his stamp on the match.
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What did you think of the USMNT’s performance against Peru? Which players impressed you the most? Which grade do you think was too high? Who deserved a better grade?
Share your thoughts below.
I actually thought Jones had a nightmare first half (except for that one shot toward the end). He forced so many passes that Peru just blocked. And he seemed lost when playing defense. He was obviously better after halftime, but he just seemed very rusty from his extended layoff. Made me wonder if he’ll be ready by October.
Dax is not national team quality, are you all serious? Smh!
I and many others used to think Beckerman was not international team quality. I think Dax has performed as well in MLS as Beckerman has.
Jones can play the Beckerman role
But Beckerman is more consistent. Jones is fast. He is powerful but his soccer sense sometimes goes awry.
Could have been turkey or it could’ve been Peru. It’s easy to get those two mixed up. (Not being serious)
Dax for the #6 please
No thanks
He had his chance. He’s not international quality.
Turkey?
Cameron and Brooks at center back. Make it so, Klinnsy.
Also, am I the only one who would like to see if Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore can perhaps rekindle the old magic. Charlie Davies may not be anywhere near world class, but these other guys aren’t either. He can make space for Jozy, which seems to be what he needs more than anything.
We also desperately need someone in the Beckerman role. All I see as possibilities are Beckerman himself, Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, and maybe Will Trapp or even Luis Gil. Someone needs to do the dirty work in front of the center backs. Until we figure that out we will always be vulnerable against the top teams.
Who am I fooling? Feilhaber will never get a chance, and JFT seems to have made himself irrelevant. Luis Gil will stay a mediocre attacking mid. So it’s an aging Beckerman and maybe Will Trapp. Many of the best defensive mids came to the position later in their careers after a coach basically forced them. Huub Stevens told Nigel Dejong to convert from 10 to 6. Thorsten Frings went from #9 to #7 to #6.
Personally, I’m waiting for Bruce Arena to take over as coach and have Klinsmann stay as Technical Director.
Johannsson was pretty solid in very limited minutes, and showed a lot of flash in the Gold Cup.
Wood has 1 meh (not bad) game after scoring back-to-back game winners over European powers and suddenly he and the other guys aren’t cutting it.
Man, forgot how fickle people here are.
We do have one and his name is Danny Williams. He’s having a pretty good year at Reading.
I hope hell freezes over first.
In addition to Williams I would take Dax McCarty over Feilhaber since McCarty has played that role with the Red Bulls while Feilhaber has never played that role as far as I know. I see mMcCarty and Beckerman as similar types and he might be a decent substitute for Beckerman.
Feilhaber, and Luis Gil have NEVER played that role. Danny Williams is the heir apparent.
There is a long list of players who can play the Beckerman role (# 6) as well if not better than Kyle at this point. In the Short Term Jones, Cameron, & Bradley could all be used. Looking towards the future there is Williams, Morales, Trapp, Stanko, & Canouse. If we find a more effective attacking mid than Bradley than IMO things in the midfield will have a better chance of resolving themselves. This is where Feilhaber/Lee or possibly one of the young guys (Zelalem, Sonora, etc….) could really help this team in the future.
If your intent is to partner Jozy with Davies than what do you do with Dempsey? When healthy Jozy & Clint are our 2 best strikers. Aron, Jordan, & Wood are all developing well and should provide a nice alternative over the coming years.
I’m biased, as a Revs fan, but Jermaine Jones himself did suggest that Scotty Caldwell take his place on the USMNT. I think Caldwell is actually much more similar to Beckerman in his game and could fit in really well.
But of course he would need some time to adjust to the international game.
I’m glad to see Besler getting some love.
Klinsmann’s comments about him, at least the ones I read, were so vague. Can’t tell whether he plans to use him vs Mexico or not.
How in the hell can Klinsman’s comment about him be vague? They were crystal clear and very positive: “We were impressed with Matt Besler this past week,” said Klinsmann. “We definitely saw what we needed to see from him as we prepare for the (CONCACAF Cup) Mexico clash and Sporting KC badly wanted him back for Wednesday, so we agreed to send him home.”
Yeah, the part about being impressed sounds good. But Klinsmann is good at doublespeak – he often says exactly what he doesn’t mean. Did he not preach Altidore’s praises days before sending him home from the Gold Cup?
When he says, “we saw what we needed,” after he only gave him 30 minutes or whatever on the field, makes me think he’s actually not impressed. Because that could also mean: we saw what we needed to confirm that he’s ok, but not good enough.
I just hope he keeps the kid around.
You are paranoid, no offense! We were impressed with Matt Besler this past week says they were impressed with him. He never said he was impressed with Altidore during the Gold Cup.
I disagree with Wood, Wood’s rating like 3.5, and Wood was the worse player in that game.
Haha. False.
haha…who was worse?
Pretty generous on Wood, but about right overall.