After Friday’s shock 2-0 loss in Guatemala City, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side bounced back on Tuesday night with a convincing 4-0 win.
Brad Guzan 7/10 – The Aston Villa keeper didn’t have a great deal to do, but he looked calm and assured on the few moments he was called into action. Preserved the shutout with a smart save in the second half and handled some difficult crosses well.
DeAndre Yedlin 7.5/10 – Sunderland’s Tottenham Hotspur loanee looked so much more comfortable in his natural right-back role, making great use of his speed when attacking from deep and tracking back to cover.
Steve Birnbaum 7/10 – The 25-year-old didn’t have a great deal to do defensively, but he handled himself well when needed to ensure Guatemala had no chance of getting back into the game.
Geoff Cameron 8/10 – The Stoke City man helped set up Dempsey’s early opener before doubling the hosts’ lead in the 35th-minute with a set-piece header. Like his centre-back partner, he wasn’t tested an awful lot at the back.
Edgar Castillo 5.5/10 – Never looked quite comfortable in defence and failed to showcase his more renowned attacking qualities. The left-back spot remains up for grabs.
Kyle Beckerman 7/10 – Did exactly what was needed of him on the night, diligently protecting the back four with his smart positioning and simple but effective distribution.
Michael Bradley 7/10 – After a largely dismal display in Friday night’s shock 2-0 loss, the skipper bounced back with a solid performance, setting up Cameron’s goal with a clever free-kick and driving things forward from the middle of the park.
Graham Zusi 6.5/10 – Finished an opportunistic chance just after the break and impressed with his work rate. Nothing spectacular, but after some initial scepticism about his call-up, he showed his worth.
Bobby Wood 6.5/10 – Clearly not comfortable out wide but still gave the visitors plenty of problems with his pressing and movement. One inexplicable miss just before half-time, though, showed that he still has a lot to work on in front of goal.
Gyasi Zardes 5.5/10 – The LA Galaxy attacker’s touch seemed to completely desert him on the night, but he still finished the game with two assists to his name – albeit more through luck than skill. His pace is a clear asset, but will be ever be able to put it all together?
Clint Dempsey 7.5/10 – When his country needs him most, Dempsey generally steps up and delivers. Grabbed the 12th-minute opener to ease the nerves and helped finish things off with the assist for Altidore’s late strike.
SUBSTITUTES
Jozy Altidore (Wood 66) 6.5/10 – Was quiet before finishing a chance one minute before stoppage-time.
Ethan Finlay (Zardes 71) 6.5/10 – Had a goal wrongly ruled out by the offside flag and gave the opposition defence some problems late on with his direct running.
Christian Pulisic (Zusi 81) 6/10 – The 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund playmaker was brought on for his debut and didn’t look out of place during the closing stages.
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