Soccer goals: The Honduras friendly was supposed to provide an opportunity to evaluate several players to possibly strengthen the USMNT squad, but those hopes of properly evaluating the team as a unit ended, when defender Jimmy Conrad earned a second yellow and penalty kick. To make matter worse, the disjointed and uninspired US squad started the game like it was a scrimmage or a stroll on the boardwalk. Thus, the 3-1 spanking ensued at Home Depot Center.
Soccer Videos: USA vs Honduras 1-3 highlights
Even though the second Conrad foul evoked negative emotions and a sigh of -- did he really call that foul? -- the reality suggests that the US continues to play too carelessly in international events and are therefore punished for their actions. It's the deja vu that gives you a tummy-ache, the type that one feels when they gorge themselves with Oreo cookies and milk or endless buffalo wings and blue-cheese dressing.
The first thing that ran through my mind after Conrad's ejection was not the score but rather the opportunity cost to shine for the fringe players, who aspired to make their mark with a strong performance. Can we really fairly evaluate everyone's performance based on this ten-man performance? Although I will take a stab at the player rankings, I will leave an asterisk for this game as a reminder that the players could have excelled better under a normal scenario.
Let's give credit to where credit is due: The Catrachos took advantage of their situation andutilized their width to their favor. Although the referee called that questionable foul, which I agree was feasible, it strikes me as funny that Amado Guevara was not given a yellow card for his hard challenge on a counter attacking Benny Feilhaber, who was impeded by his obstruction-infused challenge in the 42nd minute. In addition, Guevara earned a yellow card for a trip on a Robbie Roger's break-away. Now the game is 10 v 10. Calling a consistent game resonates as my only gripe.
With that in mind, Soccer Addict News presents to you the Honduras vs USA player ratings.
Troy Perkins, 6 - Despite being beaten for three goals, his anticipation and distribution earned him an average performance. Not losing his poise earned points in my eyes, while the center-combo of Marshall and Conrad could have jeopardized his performance.
Marvell Wynne, 4.5 - I must admit his athleticism and tenacity impressed but his crossing and failure to maintain good positional sense disappointed even more. It has become apparent that his raw skill set has yet to translate at the international level. He should have recovered better on the Espinoza goal by recovering to mark him.
Chad Marshall, 4 - His first 15 minutes embodied a normal Marshall performance, but then his play spiraled out of control after Conrad left the field. Conceding the second goal ball watching and during the third goal keeping Roger Espinoza on side, while not closing him down, hurt his chances. Poor distribution, anticipation, and defensive communication hindered his game throughout the sixty-minutes.
Jimmy Conrad, 2- As a veteran and leader of the team, Conrad should know better. Looking on the bright side, his performance might have enlightened Coach Bradley to distinguish that he must evaluate other options such as Michael Orozco or Darius Barnes. The Wizard defender can no longer compete with international speed.
Jonathan Bornstein, 5.5- After the US went a man down, Jonnie B shined defensively, as he became a leader and ushered attacks out of danger. It appears the reason that the Honduran hero has yet to take a vacation and visit the President is because he has been practicing his trapping and passing endlessly against his house wall, since the Chivas USA bowed out of the playoffs. His touch has improved, while his distribution continues to threaten his World Cup status.
Robbie Rogers, 6.5 - Despite playing out of position as a quasi Left winger/defender, the speedy attacker demonstrated poise on the ball, good work rate, and dangerous attacking sequences. Although I would like to see his menacing runs down the flank, his on-the-ball composure under pressure suggests that he can handle the international rigors of limited space and intense speed of play. His shot off the post proves that the Crew winger must assert himself offensively.
Kyle Beckerman, 4.5- Under an eleven-man scenario, the Rhasta man should have experienced a better game. But, unfortunately for him his play neither impressed nor discounted his chances for a World cup spot. Paired with Feilhaber, the duo should have run the Catrachos ragged with their possession and strong interchange.
Benny Feilhaber, 5.5- Another player effected severely from the dismissal of Conrad, Feilhaber could not exploit the Catrachos defense or take advantage of US' speed in the form of Rogers, Findley, and Cunningham. In his defense, his possession and dribble penetration caused fits for the Catracho defense.
Sacha Kljestan, 3.5- Besides providing numerous errant passes, experiencing a suspect touch, and awkardly bumping into his own players, the Chivas USA play maker struggled in the overall match landscape. When he plays simple, his game flourishes, but he complicated matters by attempting cute passes which resulted in counter attacks or killed attacking momentum in the final third. This performance might have provided the proverbially nail in th coffin for Kljestan's World Cup aspirations.
Jeff Cunningham, 4- The forward duo were the most devastated from Conrad's early shower, but not working hard on the defensive side and playing extremely casual hurt his performance. His touch and intensity seemed to have remained in Denmark, since the play that was evidenced on Saturday came from an uninspired Cunningham.
Robbie Findley, 5.5- When he ran into space with the ball, Findley cause defensive imbalance, but when he received the ball in the air or with his back facing the goal, his touch failed him miserably as the ball would bounce 6-8 feet away from him. Once paired with target forward, Conor Casey, who absorbed the defensive pressure and performed the dirty work, the RSL leading goal scorer offered glimpses of his potential, as he utilized his speed to unsettle the Catracho back line.
Coach Bradley, 5.5- I must give him credit for an aggressive line up which featured Cunningham and Findley at forward. While his strategy bestowed offensive carte blanche to his midfield, his insertion of Jimmy Conrad downgraded him a notch, considering that the KC Wizard seems to be an outsider for the USMNT. It was also good that he allowed his team to play without a defensive substitution until the second half.
Subs
Clarence Goodson, 6 - Besides netting a great header from a set-piece play, his defense and anticipation help shore up the back line. Leading the back line in the second half helped his chances better than any fringe player.
Conor Casey, 6 - His hold-up play allowed the team space to play and gave Robbie Findley time to make his menacing runs. Solid Performance.
Heath Pearce, 5 - Just when you need an opportunity to shine and gain advantage for the left back position, the FC Dallas lefty offered little in the attack but solid in defense.
Alejandro Bedoya, 6 - Considering it was his first cap in poor circumstances, the Boston College Eagle interchanged well with team mates while unsettling his defenders in the attack. Could he make a late run to a World Cup spot?
Brad Davis, 6 - Offered good set-piece play while settling down the offense with composed decision making.
Dax McCarty, 5 - Entered the game with little on the line but kept the ball whizzing around the field.
Who impressed most against the Catrachos? Were you impressed by the Catracho's passing and counter attacking? Share your thoughts.
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