[USA-CUBA REPORT CARD] Joe Corona (three goals) and Mix Diskerud (two assists)
were outstanding for the USA in its 6-0 win over Cuba. Soccer America's Paul Kennedy grades the U.S. players ...
Starters
GRADE PLAYER (CLUB/COUNTRY)
5 Bill Hamid (D.C. United).
Only save came on a shot from distance in 44th minute.
5 Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo). Positioned behind Adu on the right side and moved
into attack when Adu moved inside.
5 Perry Kitchen (D.C. United). Beaten by Michael Chang, Cuba's most
dangerous player, for free kick early in first half.
5 Ike Opara (San Jose Earthquakes). Laid the ball off
to Adu for fifth goal. Like Kitchen was troubled by Chang on a few forays.
5 Zarek Valentin (Montreal Impact). Chose to stay back on a night when
he had plenty of open space in front of him.
5 Jared Jeffrey (Mainz II/GER). Played as deep-lying midfielder behind Diskerud and Corona.
8 Mix Diskerud (Gent/BEL). Quick distribution was a key to putting the Cubans away. Set up Corona for his second and third goal.
8 Joe Corona (Tijuana/MEX). Played rebound off his chest to score into open goal for first goal, then deftly put away chances inside the post for his second
and third goals.
6 Freddy Adu (Philadelphia Union). Played mostly on the right wing and had a rather quiet game until he made it 5-0 with a shot
from 25 yards out.
6 Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls). Tangled with Dario Macias in incident that led to red card for the Cuban in 19th minute.
Scored on header from Shea to open the floodgates late in the first half.
7 Brek Shea (FC Dallas). Made it look easy against outmatched Cubans.
Cross found Agudelo for second U.S. goal; his centering pass was put into the Cuban goal by Arturo Diz Pe.
Subs:
4 Teal Bunbury (Sporting KC). Saved by goalie Odisnel Cooper shortly after entering game. First touch failed him after being put through by Corona late in the second half.
4 Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim/GER). Showed off his speed but shot well over bar on best look at goal.
5 Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union). Helped keep possession for almost the entire last half hour after coming on for Jeffrey.
(1=low;
5=average; 10=high.)
Seriously - Joe Gyau only gets a 4 because of one shot over the goal? Weird.
So, all those 1v1 battles he won had no meaning. How many times did he get into the box?