USA-EGYPT [3-0]
U.S. PLAYER RATINGS
GRADE PLAYER (CLUB) GP/G
Starters
5 Brad Guzan (Everton/ENG) 14/0
Saved confidently on the few shots Egypt put on frame. Left most crosses and through balls to his defenders, but cleanly collected balls that were his.
6 Jonathan Spector (West Ham/ENG) 16/1
Left alone on the corner numerous times but held his ground and only once let an opponent get to the byline. Tougher in the air than in the previous two games and set up the vital third goal with a classic diagonal cross from near the sideline as a quartet of teammates crashed the penalty area.
7 Oguchi Onyewu (Standard Liege/BEL) 45/5
Aggressive and dominant for high balls, as usual, also decisive and strong stepping up to cut out crosses and balls on the ground. Game plan to secure the flanks and deal with crosses required him to be on his game and he was. Set a promising attack in motion with steal and 35-yard dribble upfield as the stunned Egyptians watched.
7 Jay DeMerit (Watford/ENG) 13/0
Bang-bang blocks on Ahmed Abdelghani with the score 1-0 personified a rugged, poised performance. Quick and sure in his tackles, relentless in his pursuit and tracking of attackers, also good in the air.
4 Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA) 18/1
Had trouble containing Ahmed Al Muhamadi Ahmed Eid, and Ahmed Hassan when they came at him on the flank. Slid into the middle to guard the back post, might have been out of position a few times but crosses were too deep; on other occasions he did manage to jostle the opponent heading the ball. Moved forward to support the attack while only occasionally overlapping.
6 Ricardo Clark (Houston) 21/1
Started sequence on the second goal by heading a clearance to Landon Donovan. Meshed well with Michael Bradley and aside from two mixups, they were in sync to cover spaces, clean up loose balls and find teammates. Quickness and aggressiveness disrupted Egyptian attempts to pierce the middle. Looked to play the ball forward whenever possible. Surprised Egypt with a pair of shots early in the match.
8 Michael Bradley (Borussia M'gladbach/GER) 32/6
Scored a fabulous goal by dribbling forward through pressure, playing ball on the run, and racing forward to steer return pass into the net. Tested keeper Essam El Hadary on two other occasions with well-hit shots the keeper saved. Anchored the middle resiliently, won balls through anticipation, kept his cool after being cautioned in the 48th minute.
6 Clint Dempsey (Fulham/ENG) 54/14
Inattention to defensive duties left Spector stranded, and drifted during some possessions, yet provided several incisive touches. Set up a shot for Bradley and played a ball into space that Landon Donovan chose to pass rather than shoot. Played good ball to the right flank for Charlie Davies that led to Jozy Altidore's shot that was cleared off the line. Raced forward to head home Spector's cross for the vital third goal.
7 Landon Donovan (Los Angeles) 113/40
Passed up a chance to shoot when played into space on the left by Dempsey, got into the box on a through ball but keeper saved at his feet. Repeatedly menaced Egypt by sharp touches and darting runs, traded passes with Bradley and weighted pass perfectly for him to score second goal.
6 Jozy Altidore (Xerez/SPAIN) 14/6
Collected a throw-in near the byline and got off a shot, the rebound of which produced the first goal. Won balls in the air that dropped for teammates in good spots, hard work off the ball opened up space for them. Cracked a first-time shot on goal that keeper deflected and defender blocked on the line.
6 Charlie Davies (Hammarby/SWE) 7/1
Scrapped and scrambled to score from near the base of the post when Egypt couldn't clear the ball. Ran off Altidore's flicks to good effect, sped up the right flank to cut a ball back that Altidore drilled on goal.
Substitutes
5 Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus/DEN) 21/2
Lively on the right side of midfield with Dempsey pushed higher upfield in Altidore's spot. Came back several times to break up plays.
NR Conor Casey (Colorado) 12/0
Played the final eight minutes in relief of Davies
No comments yet.
