Compelling Soccer

Yesterday, I couldn't help but get the feeling that things had come full circle.

As the US got a stunning point in a meaningless game, so much of the talk and criticism of the summer seemed to reverse itself last night. After blowing leads to multiple teams, but most famously Brazil in the Confederations Cup final, the US pulled one on Costa Rica last night. They went on attack, dominated possession and even overcame the blow of losing Oguchi Onewyu with about ten minutes left (and likely for much longer). Their dominance of possession was unheard of for a US team. It was an inspiring effort and to score the equalizer with seconds to go, with just ten men, made it even sweeter.

Bob Bradley has frequently been criticized for his substitution pattern. I've certainly done so on this blog and commenting on others. But tonight, he made the right calls. Jose Francisco Torres changed the game. Robbie Rogers went from looking like a scrub to showing himself to be useful. Tonight was a good night for Bradley, though it will likely be overshadowed by some criticism if Onewyu's knee is bad. (Right now it's looking like 3-4 months, but with knees you don't know.)

And for the players, the story really were the young guys whose games looked to have taken a step forward. Jozy Altidore has always had talent but was criticized for not being able to do the other things necessary. (Things that would lead some to call for Brian Ching) Altidore did those things. Rogers has confidence when attacking on the flank, outplaying the golden boy Stuart Holden. Even Jonathan Bornstein, much maligned, managed to make himself the hero with his equalizer.

Things aren't perfect but I'm more optimistic about the direction of this team than I was a week ago. It would have been nice if this step forward included Charlie Davies, but you have to make due with the hand that was dealt to you. Who would have thought a draw could leave one feeling this good?

Match Ratings

Tim Howard, 6: He got to everything he should, made one really good save. Some harsher critics may blame him for the first goal, but I'd say both were just good shots. He was clearly furious with his defense after the second as well he should have been. Costa Rica didn't pressure in the second half so he only saw a few chances.

Jonathan Bornstein, 7: It's the end of the world when Bornstein gets ranked this high. It was a good game for him, though I'm left wondering if perhaps he might be better off in the midfield than defense. He was able to contribute to the attack fairly well and got even better when Torres came on in the second half. However his defense left a lot to be desired. The US defense had lots of trouble on the wings and that falls on the outside backs. Then of course, there was the second Costa Rican goal which featured a complete meltdown of the left side. They all looked like cones, not soccer players. So maybe Bornstein's problem is that he's out of position. Still this one will go a long way to keeping Edgar Castillo from finding his way onto the starting lineup.

Oguchi Onewyu, 4: Ugh on so many levels. Some players can still look fairly strong with a lack of first team minutes, like Jozy Altidore. Others suffer. Gooch is falling into the "others" category right now. And then to add injury to insult, the wet field led to a freak accident. Now with a torn tendon in his left knee, Onewyu is out for reportedly 3-4 months. That will not help his chances of getting time with Milan, nor getting into top shape. That's bad for the US, a weakened Gooch has resulted in defensive breakdowns. The first goal resulted from him getting completely beaten by Ruiz. It was ugly.

Carlos Bocanegra, 5: Felt he was better tonight than he had been, but is still somewhat shaky. For defensive purposes, he was the best backliner out there though that isn't saying much. He also made a couple of nice blocks and defenses on second half Tico counters.

Steve Cherundolo, 5: He's a much better offensive player than Jonathan Spector, but like Bornstein, you have to hold him accountable for Costa Rica tearing the US a new one in the first half with their wing play. He threatened but only managed one good cross that I remember. I'd probably say he should be behind Spector right now.

Landon Donovan, 8: Much like Altidore, Donovan seemed to do everything but score. He was working well with others, finding players with his passes and had a few chances on goal himself but was unable to finish. He gets marks down for a couple of reasons; first he was lost on the second goal. Second his corners weren't particularly good. But other than that, it's hard to fault much else with his play. The second best US starter tonight.

Michael Bradley, 6: The goal was critical but it was otherwise an extremely "eh" night for junior. He made some good runs but his shot was off. Defensively, he has to share the blame for the second Costa Rican goal as the whole left side just fell asleep. In fact he was out defensed by Torres when the latter came on. That said it seemed like he settled down once Torres came on. He'll have to be better next summer. Oh and a mini victory; no red cards.

Benny Feilhaber, 3: Bad night for Benny. He was nearly invisible for the first half and his few touches in the second half resulted in give aways. He wasn't crisp with the ball and seemed lost as to what to do with it when he got it, dribbling into trouble and unable to pick out teammates well. The difference between he and Torres was about as big as any I've seen in a single game. One game shouldn't erase what he's done, but Torres may move ahead of him now. He certainly won't be displacing Ricardo Clark, rightly or wrongly, with performances like this.

Stuart Holden, 6: Solid game for Holden. He made a few good crosses and had a couple of nice possessions. But for anyone who thinks he should replace Clint Dempsey in the starting lineup, this game should show Holden's current limitations. He simply can't create like Dempsey on the one on one match ups, nor is he as dangerous in the box. He has a place, but it's not as a starter at this time; not unless Donovan or Dempsey is moved up top to replace Charlie Davies.

Conor Casey, 4: He blew the best chance of the game early on and struggled with his first touch all night. He was okay at flicking it on, but it wasn't enough to overcome being a non factor in the air and poor with the ball at his feet. This performance was not the one he could have used to cement his place next to Altidore. He should get other looks.

Jozy Altidore, 9: The only thing Jozy failed to do tonight was score. But for all those who question whether it's better to play in MLS or see fewer minutes in the Premiership, I submit to you Mr. Altidore. The way he played today was far more disciplined than in the past. His vision was excellent, on par with Donovan's. This is the effort that everyone says Brian Ching is necessary for; holding it up and facilitating play. Altidore did that and more. At times he created on his own. His effort slowed down in the second half a bit but he did contribute to the first goal. The only thing he didn't do was finish. That will have to change, but man was he good tonight in every other facet of the game.

Subs

Jose Francisco Torres, 10: His passing was precise, his corners impeccable and his defending better than any other midfield. His corner that Bornstein finished will get the pub, but the unheralded play was his tackle at the other end that started the counter the other way. Simply put Torres made the case for him being the permanent partner for Michael Bradley in the midfield. He won't get it after one game, nor should he, but he certainly made it clear he needs to be given more time in their friendlies.

Robbie Rogers, 8: I've ripped him badly, but Rogers was a different player tonight than he was in the Gold Cup. That bodes well for his chances of sneaking onto the final 23. Rogers used his pace effectively tonight and crossed better than Holden did. His ball into the box is what lead to the first US goal. His finishing was poor but his play was so far above what I expected, I'm willing to be nice. One bit of fail that I meant to mention in the live blog and with a poor explanation, it could be epic fail. WTF is Rogers doing wearing number nine? I mean they had a tribute where the fans held up #9s and stood in honor of Davies. Why on earth would Rogers wear 9?

Kenny Cooper, 5: He got a chance but didn't do a lot with it. He was involved in putting pressure on the Costa Rican defense that led to the decisive corner. Other than that, he didn't do much with his time. Perhaps it was too much to ask, especially since the situation changed with Onewyu going down right after he came in. I kept thinking that Cooper would have buried the chance Casey missed in the first half. We should get opportunities in the near future to find out.

The Steven Gerrard Stand Up and Be Counted Award: Jose Francisco Torres. Altidore was right there, but as I go over the game in my head, Torres was essential to the US taking command in the second half. He was on the mark with his passes and quick with them, showing no hesitation in reversing the field or putting it in the right spot. He made Bornstein and Bradley better. His corner was put in for the equalizer. No player had a bigger impact on the game. Considering it was the first Costa Rica game that got Torres put into the doghouse, it's only fitting this one may have finally gotten him out of it.

The Brian Ching Stand Up and Do Nothing Award: Benny Feilhaber. Casey seemed like a logical candidate, but he did manage a few decent passes. Feilhaber was a complete waste of space tonight, which is unfortunate because he is better than that. Even if he wasn't as bad as he looked, Torres' play made it appear ten times worse. I think he's good but watch how the cohesiveness of the US team improved once Torres replaced him. Definitely fell back towards the Torres/Holden pack in terms of who will be called upon to fill that 4th midfield/1st/2nd sub role.

Entertainment Rating: 10, Compelling Soccer

This one was a joy to watch, start to finish, even if it was frustrating at times for a US fan. With everything on the line for Costa Rica, it was great to watch the US scrap back for little more than pride and snatch the tie at the death. The Costa Rican emotions after giving up the goal, the US reaction after getting in and the superb lead up to it, along with some nifty Tico first half goals made this one as good a game as you're going to get.