There won't be many smiles caused by the report cards after the US national team's incredibly frustrating 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Copa America Centenario third-place game on Saturday night.
Due to long stretches of poor attack spacing, the hosts were often impatient with the ball and ended being shut out for the third time during the tournament. Defensively, they frequently gifted Colombia room to run and every member of the back line played a role in allowing the lone goal of the match. Put it all together and it gets hard for this space to be excited as one might have expected by the team's fourth place finish in the tournament.
Starting XI
GK Tim Howard (7)
Though he seemed bamboozled by the Juan Cuadrado chip that hit the woodwork, the US result could have been worse were it not for Howard. The soon-to-be Rapids backstop made a pair of good saves and some helpful rushes off his line.
D DeAndre Yedlin (5.5)
It was a hot-and-cold showing from the Spurs right back, who was late in covering the back-post runner on the lone goal of the game and also pulled himself out of position on a couple occasions. On the plus side, Yedlin pitched in with a few dangerous forays into attack and three tackles.
D Geoff Cameron (5.5)
The Stoke City defender was largely solid, providing several passes into attacking zones and seven total defensive stops around the US area. However, Cameron also was caught watching the knock-down assist on Colombia's winner.
D Matt Besler (5)
After an early area shot-block, Besler struggled through the rest of the first half. Like his central partner, the Sporting KC was a spectator on Colombia's set-up pass across the US goalmouth. He improved after the break, providing a couple of strong line holds to catch the visitors offside.
D Michael Orozco (4.5)
The Tijuana man had his hands full on the left side of defense and didn't always do the job. He was also among the culpable on the goal leak, granting too much space for the initial cross that set up the sequence. Then, in stoppage time, he cost the team a man and a couple of minutes of rally time with an incredibly foolish face slap for his second yellow card of the game.
MF Michael Bradley (4)
It is impossible not to notice that something is quite off with Bradley's game. He has become far too easy to surpass in midfield, his defensive challenges have lost their zest and in this game he did not even ship a single lead pass to the flanks. It's quite telling when the captain is removed with the team chasing the game.
MF Jermaine Jones (5)
The Colorado ace started off well, but had little positive impact over the final half-hour of the opening frame. Jones really needed to do better on his partially-whiffed volley in the 37th minute. He got better after intermission, but still was unable to come up with one of the big plays he's known for in USMNT competitive matches.
MF Gyasi Zardes (4.5)
Zardes came up with some good link plays during the first half, but repeatedly faltered when put in good attack positions after the interval.
MF Alejandro Bedoya (5)
The Nantes attacker came up with a couple nice moments at both ends of the field, but needed to have more impact. Bedoya was not as helpful tracking back as he usually is and simply needed to assert himself more in this contest.
F Clint Dempsey (6.5)
Despite not quite summoning his usual magic, the Sounders star was the lone bright spot among US field players. He dropped back to aid possession, played a couple of nifty passes near the Colombia box and was robbed of an equalizer on a terrific free kick attempt from nearly 30 yards.
F Bobby Wood (5.5)
The fresh Hamburg recruit was decent enough at holding up the ball and finding seams to run into, but was an inch here and second there away from changing the game offensively. Though able to wiggle into the area dangerously a couple times, he struck the post once and waited a little too long to fire on other occasions.
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann (4)
The manager's modus operandi has become incredibly frustrating to watch and discuss. Klinsmann went with a very similar game plan and personnel set that he used in the team's group stage-opening loss to Colombia, albeit minus two of his better players. There was never any real adjustment to the team's often disconnected shape, which had them punting long balls or stuck in neutral for much of the night. Because of this, his continued refusal to stock a true playmaker stood out like a sore thumb yet again. It just seems like the boss has run out of ideas. What's more, the fire in the belly often seen during USMNT rally situations was nowhere to be seen.
Subs
Christian Pulisic (6)
The teenager came on late to provide a few strong attack passes and force what could have been a key turnover with pressure.
Darlington Nagbe (5.5)
Despite the weak free kick shot, Nagbe did what he could to push the team into rally position during his too-brief shift.
