France 1 United States 0: USA Player Grades

The United States played another dull and creatively challenged game against France last night, losing 1-0 in a game in which the U.S. managed just two shots on goal. The loss it the fourth in six games under new coach Jurgen Klinsmann with all four losses coming by the same 1-0 scoreline. The honeymoon period is quickly coming to an end for Klinsmann with the United States suffering from a severe offensive drought having scored just two goals in six games.

Here are my grades for the United States players on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being the best:

GK Timmy Howard (7.5)
Howard made an incredible save on a Karim Benzema free kick in the 56th minute and was his usual steady self the entire game. Not much he could do on the Remy goal.

LB Timmy Chandler (6)
Played another solid game and it appears the U.S. has finally solved the problem of finding a left back.  Did not link up with Brek Shea as well as they did last month however that was more of a Brek Shea issue than a Timmy Chandler issue.

CB Carlos Bocanegra (6.5)
The thing about Bocanegra is he always seems to be in the right spot at the right time.  Had a typical workman type game however what really stands out for Bocanegra is his ability to read the game and be in a position to make plays.

CB Clarence Goodson (5.5)
Up until the Remy goal was playing a solid game. The Remy goal was all on Goodson as Remy used his physical presence to break free from Goodson and score the winning goal.  The thing is Remy seems to beat defenders all the time, so cannot find a reason to exclude Goodson from the mix going forward.

RB Steve Cherundolo (5)
I was very concerned about his ability to stay with Ribery however Cherundolo did fairly well in the first half. As the game went on however he seemed to disappear from view and had literally zero impact on the game offensively.

CDM Kyle Beckerman (6)
I frankly don't understand all the complaints about Beckerman. He knows his role and does it well using all means possible to break up the run of play through the midfield. He is rarely out of position and  while he is not the fastest man on the pitch by a long shot he gets results – and most importantly the results that matter to Klinsmann.

LM Brek Shea (4)
Perhaps distracted by his pending training gig with Arsenal Shea had his worst game in a USMNT uniform. He was invisible for far too many stretches of the game before being subbed out in the 70th minute.

RM Danny Williams (4)
With Landon Donovan choosing to sit this one out Klinsmann went with Williams on the right side in midfield. Williams never looked comfortable in the attacking third and his distribution was poor. His best attribute is his ability to win the ball so deserves credit for his help containing Ribery however do not see him as a long term solution at right midfield.

CM Maurice Edu (4)
Another sub par performance from Edu who just does not do enough to make himself known. His contribution to this game was non-existent. Michael Bradley should be foaming at the mouth looking ahead to Slovenia.

CM Clint Dempsey (7.5)
Is there really any doubt who the best player in America is right now? Typical performance from Dempsey, grit, determination, confident on the ball and creative.

F Jozy Altidore (7)
Cannot help but wonder how this game could have been if the midfield was able to get Jozy the ball. Played with determination and make the most of the few opportunities afforded him. Almost won a penalty in the first half and had a neat back heel pass to spring Dempsey in the second half.

Substitutes
Jermaine Jones (4)
Played 24 uninspired minutes and did not have the fire usually seen in a Jermaine Jones performance. Did nothing to suggest he deserves another call back from Klinsmann.

Fabian Johnson (5)
Not a bad debut for Johnson as he looked more confident that Williams in the minimal amount of time he had to contribute.

DaMarcus Beasley (5)
Came on for Brek Shea in the 70th minutes and did nothing to impress, similar to the performance from Shea.

Edson Buddle (5)
You get the sense that Altidore appreciated having someone else up top to mix it up with and Buddle did make the effort however it was not enough. Not sure what Buddle brings that Agudelo does not already provide.

Coach Klinsmann (4)
There was nothing in this game to suggest the United States is in the midst of a transformation into a new style of play all its own. Klinsmann talks about possession and attacking soccer yet calls into camp and starts a defensive oriented team that completely lacks any sort of creativity. With two goals in six games and a significant lack of scoring opportunities it is time to begin questioning the tactics and style of play that Klinsmann has employed. The honeymoon is officially over.