U.S. Player Ratings

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Oct 27, 2009

[USA-SPAIN REPORT CARD] Soccer America's Paul Kennedy rates the U.S. players in Monday's 2-1 loss to Spain at the Under-17 World Cup.

Reduced to 10 men after 63 seconds, Spain let the USA attack, but the Americans could not take advantage of repeated forays down the left side, where left back Tyler Polak was pushed into midfield. Their best chances came on through balls from Luis Gil behind the Spanish defense, but the U.S. forwards could not convert.

Real Madrid's Pablo Sarabia exposed U.S. captain Perry Kitchen on right side of the U.S. backline on both Spain goals.

On the first goal, the USA lost possession on a Zachary Herold turnover, allowing the Spaniards to counter in numbers. When Kitchen stumbled on the artificial turf, Iker Muniain fed Sarabia on the left wing, where his pass found Borja open behind Jared Watts in the six-yard box.

On the second goal, Watts failed to win a long punt by the Spanish goalie Edgar, putting the Spaniards through on a 2-on-3. Borja broke down the right wing and found Sarabia open on the opposite side of the penalty area. The Real Madrid youth player scored what proved to be the game's winning goal with a clinical finish.

USA-SPAIN REPORT CARD
U.S. Players:
Starters:
5 Earl Edwards (Nomads SC)
2 Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic)
4 Zachary Herold (West Pines United FC)
3 Jared Watts (North Meck SC)
5 Tyler Polak (CSA Legacy)
5 Marlon Duran (Latino Americana)
6 Luis Gil (Pateadores)
4 Nick Palodichuk (Washington Premier FC)
4 Alex Shinsky (Super Nova FC)
4 Jack McInerney (Cobb SC)
3 Stefan Jerome (West Pines United FC)
Subs:
5 Eriq Zavaleta (FC Pride)
4 Victor Chavez (Real So Cal)
5 Dominick Sarle (BW Gottschee)