Time for a change.

Face it, the United States has been underwhelming for the past two years since its upset of Spain at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. Go ahead, name a big game in which the United States has played well (please, do not mention Algeria because the Americans were minutes away from coming home from the World Cup after the first round; Argentina? Maybe).

In a region where the United States is expected to dominate, along with Mexico, the Concacaf Gold Cup’s first round brought a win against hopeless Canada, a loss to Panama and a narrow victory against a team from Guadeloupe that is not even a member of FIFA. Go figure.

On Sunday, Coach Bob Bradley sat the national team’s career leading scorer and assist man Landon Donovan (or was it a “hangover” from a long trip back to Washington after a wedding in California?), pushed Clint Dempsey up top (or drifting that way in a 4-5-1), and gave starts to Alejandro Bedoya and Sacha Kljestan. The pressure was on the team and Coach Bradley and the result would go a long way to showing whether Bradley’s team is Bradley’s team, or whether the coach has lost his players.

After a mostly indifferent start to the Gold Cup, the United States played with spark, purpose and determination in advancing to Wednesday’s semifinal in Houston against either El Salvador or Panama (which beat El Salvador on penalties in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader). The U.S. took on a dangerous Jamaica team that strolled through first round and promptly outplayed them in all aspects: tactically, physically and most important, on the scoreboard.

Final Score: United States 2, Jamaica 0

The Ratings (on a scale of 1, diabolical; to 10, world class):



U.S.

Goalkeeper

Tim Howard

Key save early in what appeared to be a shot from an offside position by Phillips, then Shelton blasts the rebound over the bar with an open goal as big as the ocean in front of him. Hey Tim, take the rest of the afternoon off. Grade: 7

Steve Cherundolo

Veteran right back overlapped, and this guy’s crosses are rarely wasted efforts. Second-half cross off one-two combo with Bedoya found Dempsey alone in front for a header right at Ricketts. Could have salted away the match in the 60th minute.Grade: 6

Clarence Goodson

A bit too reactive on swift Jamaica counters. Momentary mental lapse late in first half and some miscommunication with Howard almost cost U.S. a goal. Nervous play in front of goal midway through second half nearly ended in disaster … but it didn’t. Grade: 5

Carlos Bocanegra

Back at more favored spot in middle for second consecutive game. Experience and calm will probably keep Tim Ream on the bench for a while, at least for the balance of this tournament. Grade: 6

Eric Lichaj

Looks like the U.S. has found a near-term solution at left back, until a better one comes along. Skill and enterprise going forward. We may have seen the last of Jonathan Bornstein as a starter. Grade: 7

Midfielders

Michael Bradley

He’s 23. He’s the coach’s son. And put simply, he’s the linchpin for any U.S. team. Do we have anyone with his depth of experience at such a young age. Time to stop the harping and embrace the present/future of the national team. If his dad is often described as unanimated, a bit dispassionate, Bradley the younger is the emotional, fiery heart of the team on the field. And he is a darn good player. Grade: 7

Jermaine Jones

Must have been a hard decision sticking with Jones, instead of starting Maurice Edu. Petulant tackle midway through first half drew a yellow card. Not the smartest play in a benign situation. After flubbing an open shot after a rebound, we know why the guy’s a defensive midfielder. O.K., perhaps a bit harsh because … military salute from the son of an American serviceman followed his 35-yard blast that was deflected past Ricketts for game’s first goal (which was ruled an own goal). Burst to loose ball, then green space ahead led to questionable red card against Taylor for denying clear scoring opportunity: 11 on 10 for final 20-plus minutes. His most impressive game in the Gold Cup, and perhaps in U.S. colors. Grade: 8

Sacha Kljestan

With Bedoya, gave U.S. a bit of dynamism in the first 45 minutes. Decent corners and free kicks. Brought some needed emotion and fire to the field. One request: Please shoot the darn ball when you have an opportunity. Grade: 8

Alejandro Bedoya

Earned the start after some strong performances off the bench. Ah, to be young and speedy. Has been dynamic, if unpolished, since he first suited up for the national team. Early play Sunday did nothing to dispel that impression. Brought some spit and vinegar to the lineup. Replaced by Donovan in the 65th minute. Grade: 7

Clint Dempsey

Big hit on sliding volley pushed over bar by Ricketts, then impressive control. But can any of that make up for his criminal miss in front of an open goal against Guadeloupe? Read on. If it was not Bradley’s intention to move him up from midfield, it probably should have been. Collected pass from Agudelo and calmly walked around Ricketts to give U.S. two-goal lead. Where his patience against Guadeloupe was a bit much, skill and confidence in front of Ricketts this time showed why he has become the top scoring threat for Fulham and the U.S. Grade: 8

Landon Donovan

Entered the match with less than a half-hour left, replacing Bedoya. Pass to Agudelo led to second U.S. goal. If he starts in the semifinal, who sits? Grade: 5

Maurice Edu

After coming on, quick turn and hard shot over the bar from 20-25 yards. Grade: Incomplete

Forwards

Jozy Altidore

Lasted 10 minutes before leaving with a hamstring injury to his left leg. Grade: Incomplete

Juan Agudelo

Just settling in on the bench when pressed into action for the injured Altidore. Completed a high percentage of passes throughout the game. Did not overdo one-on-one stuff. Perfect lead into the box for Dempsey on second U.S. goal. With or without Altidore fit, does the kid deserve another start on Wednesday night? Grade: 8

Coach

Bob Bradley

High marks for pulling the trigger and benching Donovan, moving Dempsey up top and/or as the spearhead in a 4-5-1 formation, and giving starts to Bedoya and Kljestan. Desperation? Perhaps. But at least the elder Bradley acknowledged that changes had to be made, but that’s his job … init?

Bradley took an enormous amount of criticism, some justified, as team sleepwalked through first round. Boldness to change lineup should put to rest of charges of favoritism and sticking with “his” guys too long. Still a game to go before an expected meeting in the final against Mexico. Fire Bob? Remain calm, (mostly) all is forgiven. Until next time. Grade 8

Substitutes/Did Not Play

Marcus Hahnemann, Jonathan Bornstein, Tim Ream, Freddy Adu, Marcus Hahnemann.



Thoughts from the supporters’ section are welcome. Fire away.