USA vs Ecuador: USA Player Ratings from 1-0 Loss
Ream’d.
Photo via AP
Yep, you know what I’m talking about.
It’s what happened to Team USA tonight against Ecuador.
After a strong first-half performance, the United States fell victim to a sucker-punch goal from Ecuador’s Jaime Ayovi in the 79th minute.
Ayovi reacted more quickly to a cross than US defender Tim Ream and headed home the winning goal.
It was more than Ecuador deserved. The US outshot the visitors 18-5 and controlled the first half.
But as Landon Donovan told ESPN in a post-match interview, games often come down to one chance, one play, one mistake that changes everything.
That’s what happened tonight. That’s when the US got Ream’d.
Now, though, it’s time to move on. The US finishes the year with a 5-7-3 record, but there’s still plenty of reason to be optimistic.
For one, Jurgen Klinsmann is our coach now. For another, we’ve got a bunch of exciting young players coming through the system.
With World Cup qualifying starting up next year, Klinsmann has his work cut out for him.
Follow me after the jump for player ratings.
Goalkeeper
Tim Howard: 6.0
Howard wasn’t responsible for the goal. He didn’t really have much to do all night, but he was alert enough to come off his line and clear an Ecuador break in the second half.
Defenders
Tim Chandler: 7.0
It’s hard not to like Timmay! Chandler. It’s also hard not to be impressed by him. Chandler ran up and down the left side for the US all night. He never looked tired. In the first half, he held his own against Antonio Valencia. In the second half, he still looked fresh. He got forward well and even had a good service or two.
Carlos Bocanegra: 6.0
Bocanegra stabilized the US defense the way he normally does. When he went off, his replacement wasn’t nearly as composed—and it led to the only goal of the game. Showed good 1-on-1 defending skills in the first half when he won the ball and headed it back to Howard.
Oguchi Onyewu: 6.5
A few months ago, Gooch looked done with the US. Now he looks almost indispensable. Onyewu controlled Ecuador all night, using his size to his advantage against smaller players. He was beaten early in the second half, but his positioning saved him when the ball bounced off his back.
Steve Cherundolo: 5.0
Cherundolo was burned by Jefferson Montero down the right early in the first half, and he seemed a step slow throughout the first half. He was subbed out at halftime but his replacement wasn’t any better.
Midfielders
Kyle Beckerman: 5.5
Not his best performance. Ecuador had several counter-attacks, and they always looked dangerous. Beckerman needed to slow down those breaks but he didn’t. As the holding midfielder just in front of the defenders, breaking up the opposition’s plays is his first job.
Maurice Edu: 5.0
See above. Edu played a more central role, but, too, got run over by Ecuador until being subbed out at halftime.
Danny Williams: 5.5
Williams had an impressive debut for the US on Saturday but couldn’t quite follow it up Tuesday night. The US midfield missed the creativity of a guy like Jose Torres. Used correctly, though, Williams could become a real asset.
Brek Shea: 6.5
Shea played well for a half before being subbed out, probably due to exhaustion. He’s logged a lot of minutes for club and country lately. Regardless, he turned in a strong performance Tuesday, combining well all over the midfield, especially with Clint Dempsey. Shea should be a major part of America’s plans leading up to the next World Cup.
Forwards
Clint Dempsey: 6.0
Dempsey followed up Saturday’s excellent performance with more of the same in the first half. He looked confident and comfortable with the ball at his feet and created several good opportunities. In the second half, however, he was much more subdued. He was probably tired after two matches in four days, so we won’t hold it against him.
Jozy Altidore: 6.0
Altidore worked very hard, as always. He held up the ball well and played with grit, mixing it up with Ecuador’s players once or twice. But his touch, as always, was below standard. He really needs to develop more of a first touch to succeed at the international level.
Substitutes
DaMarcus Beasley: 6.5
Beasley replaced Shea at halftime and had a good half of work. He had a nice cross early in the second half and showed some impressive individual skills.
Jonathan Spector: 4.0
Spector replaced Cherundolo at halftime and immediately looked lost. Once, he headed a clearance out for a corner when he was all alone. Another time, he headed a clearance to the middle of the pitch, right at the top of the box. Defenders of all ages know not to put the ball in the middle.
Michael Bradley: 6.0
Bradley put in a solid if unspectacular half. He worked hard and got involved in the offense while maintaining his defensive responsibilities.
Juan Agudelo: 4.5
Agudelo replaced Altidore at halftime and, for once, didn’t outshine his fellow forward. Agudelo looked indecisive throughout the second half and displayed a poor first touch. Not a good effort.
Tim Ream: 3.0
At youth soccer clubs, defenders learn to keep two things in mind when marking an attacker. Ball side and goal side. That means you have to stay between him and the ball, and between him and the goal. Ream did neither against Ayovi, and it cost the US the match.
Edson Buddle: no rating
Was he actually on the pitch?
