The US won 2-0 thanks to two Michael Bradley goals.  Both goals came at the end of either half and really put the finishing touch on Bradley’s stellar performance.   The game was ugly but that was to be expected. Mexico started out the game very positively but the US was able to stifle their play and the rest of the game turned into a battle. Things started to go wrong for the Mexicans in the first half when Nery Castillo limped off the pitch with a pulled hamstring.  Right before the half time whistle Donovan knocked a Beasley corner kick back into the middle of the box, but Onyewu’s header was blocked by Sanchez and the loose ball was knocked into the net from point blank range by Bradley. In the second half things got even worse for Mexico.  Mexico captain Raphael Marquez did a flying jump kick into Tim Howard’s leg earning him a red card.  One goal down and playing with only 10 men Mexico was slowly watching the game slip away.  Altidore subbed in for Ching and Clark subbed in for Kljestan late in the second half.  The final goal came in the 90th minute when Donovan fed Bradley at the top of the 18 and Bradley slotted the ball home.

US Player Ratings:

Howard: 7, another solid night from Tim Howard.  He commanded his box and came up with a few big saves.

Hejduk: 6, great night for Hejduk.  He was marking Mexico’s weaker side so that gave him the freedom to run up and down the line and join the attack. Played well with Dempsey.

Bocanegra: 6, a little bit of an up and down game for Bocanegra.  Made some great plays but his distribution was suspect in a few instances.  Kept Mexico’s forwards in check all game.

Onyewu: 7, One of the best players on the field.  Solid, composed, and agressive. He is a much smarter defender than he was in the last qualifying cycle and was the backbone of the defense.

Pearce: 4, the worst player for the US.  Pearce had the task of shutting down Dos Santos which isn’t an easy job.  His defending was decent but not good enough.  His passing was terrible.  The play broke down once it got to Pearce’s feet.  It might be because he plays behind Beasley and some of Beasley’s shittyness is rubbing off on him.

Dempsey: 6, Dempsey put in a solid days work on the right side.  He rotated well with Hejduk and did more running than anyone has seen from him in a while.  The first half he showed off his skill and passing.  The second half he wasn’t as successful on the offensive side of the ball but put in some great defensive work.  He was breaking up plays and really commanding that right side.

Kljestan: 4, not a good game for the young midfielder.  He gave the ball away too often and was constantly late to the play.  He didn’t have the opportunity to make the killer passes he likes and the few chances that he did have were intercepted quite easily.  He worked hard but showed that he isn’t quite ready for this level.  I think Bradley should give him another chance against El Salvador.

Bradley: 9, man of the match.  The real heart and soul of the team last night.  Commanded the middle of the field, provided excellent cover for the back line, and scored two goals.  His passing is much improved and his tackling is less reckless than before.  He is really maturing.

Beasley: 5, not a bad night for Beasley, but not a great night.  He was active the first half but still failed to see the right pass or make the best of his chances. As always his touch was poor, his dribbling even worse, and his passing was a tossup.  He was involved in the first goal and is typically good on set pieces.  The second half he faded away and little part of me died inside because Bradley still insists on giving him time.

Donovan: 7, Donovan’s smart play led to both of the US’s  goals.  He was marked very tightly all game and had very little opportunity to make a difference.  At times there were as many as 4 or 5 Mexican defenders collapsing on the American forward.  The few chances he did have to create goals he made the most of them.  Putting a far post corner kick back into the mix for Bradley’s goal, and setting up Bradley at the top of the 18.  He was active and aggressive all game.

Ching: 5, did his job well.  Ching held the ball well and passed it off like a target striker should. His size and presence was an important factor in the US’s attack.  Ching threatened the goal very little and doesn’t have the pace to get in on through balls.  Outside of holding the ball up he was pretty useless.  I don’t think coach Bradley expected anything more from his big man but I do.

Subs

Clark: NR

Altidore: NR involved in the second goal.

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