This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/sports/soccer/player-ratings-united-states-4-vs-cuba-1.html
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Player Ratings: United States (4) vs. Cuba (1) | Player Ratings: United States (4) vs. Cuba (1) |
| (3 days later) | |
| The United States fell behind early but responded with a dominant second half to roll past Cuba and earn a spot in the quarterfinals at the Gold Cup. | The United States fell behind early but responded with a dominant second half to roll past Cuba and earn a spot in the quarterfinals at the Gold Cup. |
| With the World Cup less than a year away, several players improved their standing in the eyes of Jurgen Klinsmann, and Chris Wondolowski’s stock rose the highest. Despite being one of the best forwards in M.L.S, Wondolowski had never seen his success translate to the national team. That is now changing for the 30-year-old Wondolowski, who has overtaken Herculez Gomez and Terrence Boyd on the team’s depth chart. | With the World Cup less than a year away, several players improved their standing in the eyes of Jurgen Klinsmann, and Chris Wondolowski’s stock rose the highest. Despite being one of the best forwards in M.L.S, Wondolowski had never seen his success translate to the national team. That is now changing for the 30-year-old Wondolowski, who has overtaken Herculez Gomez and Terrence Boyd on the team’s depth chart. |
| Also making a strong statement was Mix Diskerud. With his crisp passing and smart playmaking, he elevated the play of the entire team in the second half Saturday. It is possible that Diskerud, a Rosenborg midfielder, could play a part in the remaining World Cup qualifiers and perhaps punch a ticket to Brazil next year. | Also making a strong statement was Mix Diskerud. With his crisp passing and smart playmaking, he elevated the play of the entire team in the second half Saturday. It is possible that Diskerud, a Rosenborg midfielder, could play a part in the remaining World Cup qualifiers and perhaps punch a ticket to Brazil next year. |
| As some players improved their standing, others hurt their chances of being part of the team’s plans for Brazil. Oguchi Onyewu was vulnerable in central defense, and Brek Shea struggled in just 45 minutes of action. Both players are coming off seasons with limited playing time at their clubs, and the rust was apparent. | As some players improved their standing, others hurt their chances of being part of the team’s plans for Brazil. Oguchi Onyewu was vulnerable in central defense, and Brek Shea struggled in just 45 minutes of action. Both players are coming off seasons with limited playing time at their clubs, and the rust was apparent. |
| The competition gets tougher for the United States as group play concludes Tuesday in East Hartford against Costa Rica. | The competition gets tougher for the United States as group play concludes Tuesday in East Hartford against Costa Rica. |
| Starting Lineup | Starting Lineup |
| Nick Rimando With the United States controlling possession, Rimando did not have a lot to do against Cuba. He was let down by his defense on the goal and did not have a chance to make a save. He was solid the few times he was called into action. Rating 5.5 | Nick Rimando With the United States controlling possession, Rimando did not have a lot to do against Cuba. He was let down by his defense on the goal and did not have a chance to make a save. He was solid the few times he was called into action. Rating 5.5 |
| Edgar Castillo This Gold Cup tournament was an important tournament for Castillo to prove he can play left back effectively at the international level. He is coming off a very solid season for Tijuana, but his club success has never translated over to the United States team. His performance Saturday left more questions than answers. He was terrific offensively from the 40th minute on as he drew a penalty and assisted on Chris Wondolowski’s second goal. He is a good player but he was beaten badly on Cuba’s goal and will still be a liability defensively against good teams. If he has a future with the United States team, it is probably at left wing. Rating 6.0 | Edgar Castillo This Gold Cup tournament was an important tournament for Castillo to prove he can play left back effectively at the international level. He is coming off a very solid season for Tijuana, but his club success has never translated over to the United States team. His performance Saturday left more questions than answers. He was terrific offensively from the 40th minute on as he drew a penalty and assisted on Chris Wondolowski’s second goal. He is a good player but he was beaten badly on Cuba’s goal and will still be a liability defensively against good teams. If he has a future with the United States team, it is probably at left wing. Rating 6.0 |
| Oguchi Onyewu After being a mainstay for the United States since 2005, the Gold Cup was an opportunity for Onyewu to show he could still contribute after battling injuries and limited playing time at his club, Malaga. He made some nice tackles in the second half but was slow on too many occasions and was caught ball-watching on Cuba’s goal. It is hard to see him being a part of this team after the Gold Cup. Rating 4.0 | Oguchi Onyewu After being a mainstay for the United States since 2005, the Gold Cup was an opportunity for Onyewu to show he could still contribute after battling injuries and limited playing time at his club, Malaga. He made some nice tackles in the second half but was slow on too many occasions and was caught ball-watching on Cuba’s goal. It is hard to see him being a part of this team after the Gold Cup. Rating 4.0 |
| Michael Orozco It was a quiet night for Orozco, but a quiet night for a central defender is usually a good performance. Granted, the United States dominated the possession game and Orozco did not have a lot to do, but he did not make any noticeable mistakes. Rating 5.5 | Michael Orozco It was a quiet night for Orozco, but a quiet night for a central defender is usually a good performance. Granted, the United States dominated the possession game and Orozco did not have a lot to do, but he did not make any noticeable mistakes. Rating 5.5 |
| Tony Beltran It was not a particularly good performance from Beltran, who was decent defensively against a poor Cuban team but ineffective moving forward up the right side. In Jurgen Klinsmann’s system, fullbacks are expected to press forward and Beltran was rarely dangerous. His chances of being a part of this team the rest of this cycle were always slim, but he did not help his case. Rating 4.5 | Tony Beltran It was not a particularly good performance from Beltran, who was decent defensively against a poor Cuban team but ineffective moving forward up the right side. In Jurgen Klinsmann’s system, fullbacks are expected to press forward and Beltran was rarely dangerous. His chances of being a part of this team the rest of this cycle were always slim, but he did not help his case. Rating 4.5 |
| Kyle Beckerman After a pair of subpar outings against Guatemala and Belize, Beckerman had a strong performance against Cuba. He forced turnovers and was improved in his passing game. His assist on Wondolowski’s goal was terrific. Rating 6.0 | Kyle Beckerman After a pair of subpar outings against Guatemala and Belize, Beckerman had a strong performance against Cuba. He forced turnovers and was improved in his passing game. His assist on Wondolowski’s goal was terrific. Rating 6.0 |
| Brek Shea Having played very little soccer since his foot surgery last November, Shea’s performance against Cuba made it painfully clear that the Stoke City winger has a long way to go until he is back to his former self. Even in playing against a mediocre Cuban team, Shea was inept in the final third as he turned the ball over frequently and hurt the United States’ attack. When Klinsmann removed him at the half, the team was vastly improved. Rating 3.5 | Brek Shea Having played very little soccer since his foot surgery last November, Shea’s performance against Cuba made it painfully clear that the Stoke City winger has a long way to go until he is back to his former self. Even in playing against a mediocre Cuban team, Shea was inept in the final third as he turned the ball over frequently and hurt the United States’ attack. When Klinsmann removed him at the half, the team was vastly improved. Rating 3.5 |
| Stuart Holden After two very good performances as a substitute against Guatemala and Belize, Holden earned his first start with the U.S since 2010. Against Cuba, Holden was rusty and was not able to dictate the game in the midfield. He worked hard and had a few nice moments but was not as dominant as in the previous games. He has come a long way in his comeback from microfracture surgery, but he still has far to go. Rating: 5.0 | Stuart Holden After two very good performances as a substitute against Guatemala and Belize, Holden earned his first start with the U.S since 2010. Against Cuba, Holden was rusty and was not able to dictate the game in the midfield. He worked hard and had a few nice moments but was not as dominant as in the previous games. He has come a long way in his comeback from microfracture surgery, but he still has far to go. Rating: 5.0 |
| Joe Corona It was a solid performance against Cuba for Corona, as his second half goal gave the United States a lead it would not relinquish. Corona was impressive in his defense as he forced turnovers and quickly moved the ball into the attack. He looked confident, and his goal off a poor Cuban clearance was very well taken. Rating 7.0 | Joe Corona It was a solid performance against Cuba for Corona, as his second half goal gave the United States a lead it would not relinquish. Corona was impressive in his defense as he forced turnovers and quickly moved the ball into the attack. He looked confident, and his goal off a poor Cuban clearance was very well taken. Rating 7.0 |
| Landon Donovan For the third straight game, Donovan is showing that he has fully returned from his four-month hiatus. His goal may have come from a penalty, but Donovan was the focal point of the United States attack. He was always dangerous and was even strong defensively despite playing as a forward. His work rate was most impressive, and that is an area of the game Klinsmann appreciates. A motivated and fit Donovan will be an enormous boost as the Americans build toward the World Cup. Rating 7.0, and man of the match. | Landon Donovan For the third straight game, Donovan is showing that he has fully returned from his four-month hiatus. His goal may have come from a penalty, but Donovan was the focal point of the United States attack. He was always dangerous and was even strong defensively despite playing as a forward. His work rate was most impressive, and that is an area of the game Klinsmann appreciates. A motivated and fit Donovan will be an enormous boost as the Americans build toward the World Cup. Rating 7.0, and man of the match. |
| Herculez Gomez After sitting out the game against Belize since the game was played on field turf, Gomez returned to the starting lineup and looked both out of sync and a step slow. The midfield may not have provided Gomez with decent service in the first half, but he was not doing his job to get into dangerous positions either. With Wondolowski scoring six goals in his last three games, Gomez could be out of the starting lineup the rest of the Gold Cup. Rating 4.5 | Herculez Gomez After sitting out the game against Belize since the game was played on field turf, Gomez returned to the starting lineup and looked both out of sync and a step slow. The midfield may not have provided Gomez with decent service in the first half, but he was not doing his job to get into dangerous positions either. With Wondolowski scoring six goals in his last three games, Gomez could be out of the starting lineup the rest of the Gold Cup. Rating 4.5 |
| Substitutes | Substitutes |
| Jose Torres At the start of the second half, Torres came on for a woeful Shea, and it was an improvement. Torres helped the team in possession and service into the final third. He was not dominant, but he was useful in breaking down a bunkering Cuban team that was playing for a draw when he entered the game. Rating 5.5 | |
| Mix Diskerud One of the main purposes of the Gold Cup for the United States is to uncover overlooked players who could play a role ahead of the World Cup. Diskerud’s performance was another indication that he could be the revelation of the tournament. After he came into the game in the second half, the offense was more dangerous, and creativity in the final third was enhanced. As the games now get more difficult at the Gold Cup, Diskerud will have a greater opportunity to show what he can do. Rating 6.5 | Mix Diskerud One of the main purposes of the Gold Cup for the United States is to uncover overlooked players who could play a role ahead of the World Cup. Diskerud’s performance was another indication that he could be the revelation of the tournament. After he came into the game in the second half, the offense was more dangerous, and creativity in the final third was enhanced. As the games now get more difficult at the Gold Cup, Diskerud will have a greater opportunity to show what he can do. Rating 6.5 |
| Chris Wondolowski For the third straight game, Wondolowski proved that he could contribute on the international level. He is playing very well right now, both in his finishing and, most important, his movement off the ball to get into dangerous positions. He is making a strong case to be in Klinsmann’s World Cup plans. Rating 7.0 | Chris Wondolowski For the third straight game, Wondolowski proved that he could contribute on the international level. He is playing very well right now, both in his finishing and, most important, his movement off the ball to get into dangerous positions. He is making a strong case to be in Klinsmann’s World Cup plans. Rating 7.0 |
| Coaching | Coaching |
| Jurgen Klinsmann For the third straight game, the United States looked disjointed early. There were a lot of weaknesses in Klinsmann’s starting lineup, but that can be excused as an opportunity to evaluate players and experiment with formations. His halftime adjustments once again brought life to the team. It is also a credit to Klinsmann that the team responded well after falling behind. Rating 6.5 | Jurgen Klinsmann For the third straight game, the United States looked disjointed early. There were a lot of weaknesses in Klinsmann’s starting lineup, but that can be excused as an opportunity to evaluate players and experiment with formations. His halftime adjustments once again brought life to the team. It is also a credit to Klinsmann that the team responded well after falling behind. Rating 6.5 |
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: | |
| Correction: July 16, 2013 | |
An earlier version of this article misstated the given name of a U.S. national team player. He is Jose Torres, not Joe. |
Previous version
1
Next version