re: A Look back at the 23 / Player grades

I'll grade the guys that actually played:

Howard - A+ (No need for explanation)

Fabian - A - Fantastic cup. He was the biggest attacking threat we had going forward. Would like to see him be just a bit stronger in his tackling in the back.

Besler - B - he worked his arse off and was our only solid CB. Seemed a bit slow at time though and got flat out manhandled on Belgiums 2nd.

Cameron - C- -He looked downright shaky at times and was directly responsible for Portugals 1st and was out if position on their 2nd.

Gonzo - D -He's big and a good tackler, but he's slow and his work rate is horrible at times.

Beasley - B+ -Absolutely worked his arse off. Can't expect much more from him than what he gave. Only reason I didn't give him an A is his defending was suspect at times and he's horrible at marking.

Bedoya - B- -Another guy that have 110%. Was impressed with his ability and willingness to cover when Fabian or Beasley made their runs forward. Would like to see a bit more attacking flair from him going forward though.

Zusi - F -It was clear his confidence was shaken every time he touched the ball. His first touch was bad, his passes were bad, and his deliveries were awful. Also, his defensive effort is downright lousy. Hopefully he can rebound from this.

Becks - A -Gattuso-esq play from him. Passing could be a bit suspect and he was not an attacking threat at all, but he was an absolute bulldog in the middle. Was really surprised by his play because I was very critical of him before the cup.

Jones - A+ -No explanation needed here either. As someone said before: Soldier.

Bradley - D -Very disappointed in his play. First touch was awful and he couldn't keep possession or pick out the right pass when were on the counter.

Yedlin - A -Kid's going to be a star. Incredibly composed for his first WC and pbviously has the pace and ability to be a serious threat.

Dempsey - B+ -Same old Clint. Put the ball at his feet and he will create something. Would have LOVED to see how he played with Jozy had he not gotten hurt.

Wondo, Davis - LOL

Brooks - I wish Klinsmann had given him more time on the field. After a goal like that guys sometimes gain confidence and go on a tear. Would rather have seen him on the field then Gonzales vs. Belgium.

I dont understand such a bad grade for Bradley other than pinning it on the expectations but to say bedoya gets a B- and Bradley gets a D is a little outrageous.

Jones turned the ball over more yesterday than Bradley did. and for most of the cup i bet the each lost similar number of possessions. Same with Becks.
Not taking away from either's performance as i think they were outstanding but don't know how bradley can get such a lower rating from anyone.

minus the pre-cup info on becks i think you could switch the analysis around on each and it would still be spot on

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He looked downright shaky at times and was directly responsible for Portugals 1st and  
was out if position on their 2nd. 

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Not true in the least.

He was in perfect position. He was unaware that a player was coming in behind him. That responsibilty to let him know falls to his trailing midfielders (all clumped to Ronaldo's side) or to the outside back (who was probably looking at three players, because Yedlin was chilling at the other 18.)

Howard A

Fab Johnson A-
most of the time looked like the player with the most pure quality USA had on the pitch by a long shot

Yedlin B+
raw and defensively naive is an understatement. Still he came in with a brash, infectious confidence and proved to be the most dangerous attacking option when he was playing


Jones B+
(player of the tournament as far as grit and passion, lack of quality on the ball/passing evident though in US's inability to hold possession and avoid dangerous turnovers)

Beasley B+
(played much better than almost anyone expected not just defending but also getting loose on the break a few times per match, nothing to criticize aside from him not being a world class LB)

Dempsey B-
out of his element with Altidore's injury. key goals but some real missed chances to play a great pass instead of shooting

Beckerman B-
he has his shortcomings in terms of elite passing/ball control but no one could ask more of him as he did his job

Bradley B-
out of his element as attacking mid, some key errors and his usual often aimless positional wandering but worked hard on defense. Also people miss that over half of the really incisive, top class passes to retain possession, change field with a long ball to the opposite flank or set up a shot on goal etc etc the entire team made during the entire 4 games still came from Bradley.

Bedoya C+
hard to grade since his fantastic work rate that was as much as Howard the reason the USA conceded so few goals while being dominated through the midfield in most matches deserves an A. Ideally, he shouldn't have been only an extra defender.

Besler C+
nothing great but pretty good with one costly error


Cameron C+
about like Besler at CB --- pretty good but not great with one huge error. was pretty surprised at how much he was outclassed passing and controlling the ball in midfield when Belgium pressed though he did a good job defensively.

Gonzalez C+
did pretty well but still often positionally challenged

Zusi C-
worked on defense, played with a lot of passion and delivered the corner that was probably the key moment in the USA getting out of group. However, he seemed to have nowhere near the class in the attack to contribute at this level

Wondolowski D-
was brought to poach a goal against the run of play and didn't

Davis F
he may have offered the least both defensively and offensively of any player to start a match for any team this WC



Brooks, Green, Jóhannsson INC+
immense goals from the German kids but none of these really played enough to grade. glad they're on the team for the next cycle though



Klinnsman B

Just like under Bob Bradley, the USMNT advanced from group, showing a lot of grit and determination and played better as team than the individual talent suggests.
Like under Bradley, it wasn't pretty but it was exciting and the team should be proud of their performance.

Jurgen's optimism and enthusiasm were important.

The controversial roster moves will remain a source of debate since he came out smelling like a rose on Yedlin and with the German kids looking pretty good for the future but like a rotting bratwurst about Davis and the general lack of productivity in the attacking midfield and lack of options when Altidore was injured after leaving Donovan at home.

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I'd give Besler a B. He made the mistake to give up a goal but he was really solid all tournament long.

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Yeah a B or B- would be fair. He was pretty solid and under constant pressure due to the toothless midfield/attack going forward

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wm72

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yea i think my rating would look something like this..

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Davis and wondo proved they couldn't make the jump up from mls all-star to world cup.

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Alot of us who said they had no business being on the team got shat on by the blind MLS followers.

I thought Cameron did well yesterday too.


I honestly thought most of our players looked fine yesterday except Zusi was kind of shitty and Gonzalez seems a bit lazy because he's always caught ball watching.

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out of his element as attacking mid, some key errors and his usual often aimless positional wandering but worked hard on defense. Also people miss that over half of the really incisive, top class passes to retain possession, change field with a long ball to the opposite flank or set up a shot on goal etc etc the entire team made during the entire 4 games still came from Bradley.

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This is all true, but you can't give possession away like he dad as a CM. There were times that his play was just sloppy and it led to several opportunities for the opponent. B is too high. I will admit that a D, which I have him, is probably too low. It really was a C- at best from him.