After another dismal performance, the United States has paid the ultimate price: A humiliating loss to Jamaica at the Georgia Dome in the Gold Cup semifinal – the first to a Caribbean team at home for the US since 1968, the US’ first Gold Cup loss before the final in five tournaments, and the Americans’ first ever defeat to a CONCACAF team other than Mexico in the history of the tournament.
It is also, of course, a much worse end result than the one that got Bob Bradley fired after the 2011 Gold Cup.
Here are the player ratings.
USA
Brad Guzan, 3 – Guzan had a rough, rough night. His carelessness and poor positioning on the free kick caused the second goal, and there were no redeeming saves to be made. It’s Tim Howard’s job to lose for the upcoming Confederations Cup playoff.
Brad Evans, 5 – Evans was solid defensively and distributed better than the center backs, but offered zip going forward. Fullback has never been Evans’ best position, and his limitations were easy to see.
Ventura Alvarado, 4 – Wasn’t as poor as Brooks, but was fairly average in all aspects of the game.
John Brooks, 2 – Couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn with his passes, but that pails in comparison to this: Brooks, at 6’4, was beaten by the 5’10 Darren Mattocks on Jamaica’s first goal. It proved to be the difference.
Fabian Johnson, 6 – Easily the US’ best defenders – and one of its best attackers too – Johnson had a bright night getting up and down his flank. Didn’t have a final product, though.
Kyle Beckerman, 3 – Terrible first half from Beckerman, who simply couldn’t keep up with the pace of the game or the strength of the Jamaican central midfield and forward line. Improved somewhat after the break, but this Beckerman was nowhere near the Beckerman that was so invaluable in the World Cup.
Alejandro Bedoya, 5 – Bedoya was active, and had some success cutting inside in the second half, but overall it was a mixed bag. Bedoya isn’t exceptional at any one thing, and perhaps DeAndre Yedlin should have been given more time to make his mark.
Gyasi Zardes, 4 – Zardes, who had a nice tournament overall, was pretty quiet in this one. Struggled to find room or operate in tight spaces, and once the US went direct, he was mostly a non-factor.
Michael Bradley, 6 – Plenty of industry, and a classic, smart, late-arriving run resulting in the US goal, but Bradley never came anywhere near controlling the game in a way that the US desperately needed. He can do better.
Clint Dempsey, 5 – Wasn’t on the ball as much as he needed to be – though that was mostly a product of the people around him. Dempsey was active in the box all night, but couldn’t find any joy.
Aron Johannsson, 5 – Almost created his own luck by getting a deflected goal off of the Jamaican ‘keeper, and took the shot that led to Bradley’s goal, but Johannsson also blew a huge second-half chance from six yards out.
Substitutes
Mix Diskerud, 4 – Never got the chance to do much of anything, and was continually passed by both teams as the game was mostly played in the final third in the second half. Couldn’t get going forward like Jurgen Klinsmann wanted him to.
Alan Gordon, 8 – Did exactly what he was brought in to do. Gordon won everything in the air, and was easily the US’ best hope of creating or scoring an equalizer late.
DeAndre Yedlin, 3 – Gave up a costly late foul as the US’ futile efforts to pull level were extinguished.
Jamaica
Ryan Thompson, 3 – Looked absolutely petrified almost from the get-go – understandable, considering he’s a young USL player in Pittsburgh – and his spill on Bradley’s goal was a long time coming. But to his credit, he held on and did enough for his team to advance.
Adrian Mariappa, 6 – The Crystal Palace fullback had a solid night locking horns with Bedoya, and then sealing off Yedlin. Was calm with the ball at his feet as well.
Michael Hector, 6 – Grew in stature as the game progressed, doing especially well as the US blasted long-balls at the end of the match.
Wes Morgan, 8 – Very strong game from Morgan, who looked completely at home on the big stage. He anchored Jamaica’s backline, and led Hector. The Reggae Boyz will need more of the same from him in the final.
Kamar Lawrence, 7 – The young New York Red Bulls fullback wasn’t daunted either – and it was his throw that became the assist on Mattocks’ opener.
Gareth McCleary, 7 – All-action performance from McCleary, who was full of running. Also picked up a late yellow for a foul on Fabian Johnson.
Rodolph Austin, 5 – Simple, but effective, Austin provided the numbers in midfield – but was caught out of position several times as he chased around Bradley.
Jobi McAnuff, 6 – McAnuff gave several players fits and won a number of free kicks in good positions for his side, and stayed active until his last minute.
JeVaughn Watson, 6 – The FC Dallas man looked calm playing against many of his MLS foes – which manifested itself in some cheeky second-half footwork – and he was a key cog in the Reggae Boyz’ defensive effort.
Giles Barnes, 7 – We know he’s more than capable of a little magic, and his free-kick – which made up for a dismal early miss – was the corner flag stomping moment that Jamaica really started to believe they could pull the upset off.
Darren Mattocks, 8 – Mattocks’ goal was impressive enough, but the Vancouver Whitecaps forward was all over the place in the first half. It was a surprise to see him withdrawn so soon in the match.
Substitutes
Simon Dawkins, 6 – Had much less action than Mattocks, the man he replaced did in the first half, but showed well when called upon.
Chris Humphrey, 5 – Came on late and had little impact.
Joel Grant, 5 – Entered in the dying moments as Jamaica saw off the match.
