Caveats abound for this game. It was played with the intensity of a fourth preseason NFL game. Both teams were fielding their B team. It was 178 degrees. Etc. Still, the USMNT played better and it was pleasant to watch. Whatever the reason…I’ll take it.

I wasn’t initially even planning on grading this game, but after some mild disagreement on the performance of a couple players (Lletget, Roldan) I was curious. It’s funny how a player having a good or bad moment or two at the beginning of a game can color your vision of that player for the rest of the game.

Roldan had a couple good moments (imo) at the start of this one and I thought he had a good game. After rewatching I don’t. Let’s take a look.

If you haven’t read one of these before click here for an explanation of the grading system.

Notes

Completed +/- Grades

How to Read these Scores

15+ Excellent game 9-14 Played well to very well 5-8 Solid 0-4 Not great, Bob Below 0 Sailing by Christopher Cross (this is aimed at a very specific person)

*The Adjusted Total uses the Elo ratings to take into account opponent and competition factors.*

MOTM – Tim Ream (+19)

Tim Ream had himself a game. You know when you’re watching an NFL game and the quarterback has all day to throw the ball? That was Ream in this game. Uruguay let him sit there and pick out passes. It eventually led to the US goal.

I don’t want to overreact to one (3/4’s speed friendly) game, but given Brooks’ injury history Ream may have just moved up in the pecking order at “Distributing CB.” He hasn’t been good on the edge in that hybrid LB/CB role, but in a straight LCB role he was excellent.

Would have been even better if Lletget had let it run…

Other Positive Performances

Jordan Morris (+9)

Morris was quite good on the left wing. I’m starting to get some confused feelings about the US wing options. I had thought Boyd and Pulisic were the best options (with Llanez or Reyna hopefully breaking through) with Weah making things interesting. Boyd didn’t have a bad game (+5), but he’s been a disappointment since his 2 goal debut.

Now Morris does a couple things with his left foot and I’m all off balance. So now it’s Pulisic on one wing and a cage match between Morris, Arriola, and Weah at the other, right?

Can’t believe it didn’t go in. Guess who started this play btw? A: Ream

Josh Sargent (+9)

I haven’t heard much about his performance, but I thought he was pretty darn good. There was obviously the nifty little pass to put Lletget into some space, but there was also tracking back, keeping possession, a couple good runs, etc. More than enough for me to say that if he and Jozy are available then we don’t need to see Gyasi in his tutor role anymore.

Zardes makes this run, but there’s no way he hangs onto the ball this long and makes that pass. BTW guess who played that long ball into space for Sargent?

Miles Robinson (+6)

Robinson was only on for 25 minutes or so, but he made the most of his time. IMO Miles is in competition with Long for the “Sweeper CB” role. In this game, Robinson looked better than Long. He hasn’t played a minute in anger for the US and it was against a Uruguay team that wasn’t exactly “going for it,” but he made an impression. He defended just as well as Long and his passing looked better. Competition is a good thing.

Room for Improvement

Aaron Long (-4)

This was not a great game for Long. In general, I think he’s been the best American CB under Berhalter. However, giving him space and time to hit passes is not exactly his forte. By my count he hit at least five passes to the bad guys and the one below could easily have resulted in a goal. He also got beat on the break by Rodriguez for the goal, but frankly that was a bad situation and happens to every defender once in a while. The passing is the real concern here.

That could have gone in or turned into a dangerous counterattack

Cristian Roldan (0)

About 10 minutes in to the game I tweeted out something about this game being the best I’ve seen Roldan look for the NT. After rewatching, I’d like to retract that statement. He did have some nice moments, but he gave the ball away a lot. I had him down for seven different giveaways of varying degrees of danger. If/when everyone is healthy and available I don’t think he makes a 23 man roster.

Nothing came of it, but this was a real dangerous turnover

Conclusions?

Coming out of these two games here’s my takeaways.

Dest is the USMNT starting LB if he’ll take the job. Who’s the last LB we’ve had that can do this?

Lletget gets to hang around and compete for one of the 8/10 roles

Zardes, Trapp, and Roldan still aren’t good enough

Miles Robinson has a chance to overtake Aaron Long in the not too distant future

We still have an issue at the 6

Cheers. See everyone in October.

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