The Irish jumped on every mistake the US made yesterday.
The score line, though embarrassing, didn’t tell the full story of the action.
In the first half the US, displayed moments of decent possession and Alejandro Bedoya created a few decent chances. It was the inability by the US to capitalize on their chances and minimize mistakes that lead to counter attacks with wide open Irish players streaking … well… anywhere.
USMNT Player Grades: Why Irish Eyes were Smiling
The US owned possession, but their giveaways were simply terrible.
The play starts with a bad pass from Bedoya to Kyle Beckerman, and ends with a simply sublime pass in space from David McGoldrick to a streaking Anthony Pilkington. After the brilliant run, Pilkington finishes with a simple kiss that floats over Bill Hamid, who had absolutely no shot at stopping this one.
It took the US about 30 minutes later to capitalize off of an Irish mistake, when Alfredo Morales steps into Ireland’s passing lanes.
As you can see, Jozy Altidore’s chip found Chris Wondolowski’s head, into the path of Mikkel Diskerud. Mix, then, channels his inner Street Fighter and presses: up, down, and strong kick to fire in the goal.
The bad giveaways would continue for the US.
In this clip, Fabian Johnson sends the ball straight into the path of a streaking Robbie Brady. With the ball at his feet, Brady plays give and go with McGoldrick, and then locates the back of the net.
The last two Irish goals simply added insult to injury.
The first came from James McClean’s foot, then deflects off of Geoff Cameron’s leg. Bill Hamid did very well, by almost saving this one.
The final goal was simply a beauty.
Robbie Brady curls one in from a free kick. The shot goes around the wall and curls into goal in the one spot that Bill Hamid can’t possibly get to.
The game pretty much ended with frustrated fouls and discouragement from the US. I can’t blame them, as this game had to have been as bitter to play in as it was for US fans to watch.
Player Ratings (10)
Bill Hamid (6) The score line looks bad, but Hamid had very little chance of stopping any of the goals scored against him.
Geoff Cameron (5) Cameron sometimes provided decent outlet passes, but had more than one shaky moment in defensive third.
Matt Besler (4.5) Like Cameron, Besler had trouble with clearances and picking up his man. It was just not a good game for him.
Fabian Johnson (5.5) Johnson played more midfield than back line, and got constantly forward in attack. He had a couple of nice crosses, was unlucky to not have scored, and much like the rest of the backline, had his bad giveaways. The giveaway that lead to the second Irish goal was simply brutal.
Timothy Chandler (5) Chandler pushed forward quite a bit throughout the game and made some very dangerous runs at into the Irish midfield. The Irish pretty much played through his side, as he had some difficulty picking up runners all game long.
Kyle Beckerman (6.5) Aside from a few bad passes, Beckerman was one of the (very) few solid defensive minded players on the field for the US.
Alfredo Morales (5.5) Morales didn’t have a lot of giveaways or takeaways, but not much positives going forward in attack. He was also caught out of position quite a bit.
Alejandro Bedoya (7) Bedoya was very active and successful running at Irish backline and was easily the most dangerous offensive player on the field for either side.
Mikkel Diskerud (6) Mix had a simply beautiful finish for the lone US goal, but was caught badly out of defensive position on second Irish goal.
Chris Wondolowski (5) This was a tough appearance for Wondo. It was filled with: bad touches, no control, and an inability hold up play quite often. Having said that, that was beautifully instinctive lay off to Mix for the lone US goal.
Jozy Altidore (6) He held up the ball generally when called upon, and was very unlucky to not have scored.
Subs
Bobby Wood (6.5) Woods appearance in relief was full of dangerous runs, absolutely unlucky to have not scored on that beautiful run at the keeper in the 67’.
Greg Garza (6.5) Garza steadied the flow of the game once he came in, and was very positive going forward.
Jordan Morris (6) Morris had a couple of touches.
Rubio Rubin (6) Rubin had a touch or two and maybe a cup of coffee.
Tim Ream (6) Ream much like all of the other midfielders, had a terrible giveaway.
Jurgen Klinsmann (6) Not sure there’s much blame that could be put on the coach with this loss. They out-shot and out-possessed the Irish, yet still lost by 3 goals. Granted again it was clear that this was meant for evaluation, hope he got what he wanted.
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