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By Jeremiah Paschke-Wood

The U.S. jumps out to a two-goal lead early in the first half, then is run off the pitch for the remainder of the match. Big questions about Bob Bradley after this game, I would think – the U.S. struggled all tournament, but had no answer for Mexico’s attackers, and Bradley made no effort to change that with substitutions or tactical shifts.

Goals: U.S. — Bradley (9), Donovan (22); Mexico — Barrera (28), Guardado (35), Barrera (49), Dos Santos (76)

U.S.

Tim Howard, GK — 6.5; Often left stranded by poor decision-making by the U.S. in defense or bad passing from the U.S. Couldn’t do much about any of the goals, though it might’ve been a rash decision to come out for Dos Santos’ goal, though few players would’ve scored on that play.
Steve Cherundulo, RB – NR; Some will argue that his leaving the game through injury was the key point in the game that swung it in Mexico’s favor. I don’t know if that’s true, but he certainly would’ve been better than the Lichaj/Bornstein switch that helped Mexico score all three goals.
Carlos Bocanegra, D – 6; Played reasonably well in defense but was let down by U.S. full backs getting beat repeatedly by the speed of Guardado, Barrera and Dos Santos.
Clarence Goodson, D – 6; Fairly anonymous in defense like most of the U.S. But did a reasonable enough job of keeping Chicharito from scoring.
Eric Lichaj, LB – 4; Did OK when dealing with Barrera early, but wasn’t able to cope with the trickier Guardado after switching to right back with Cherundulo’s injury. Helped the ball into Guardado’s path for the equalizer.
Jermaine Jones, MF – 6; Fought gamely in midfield, but you get the impression that he isn’t sure whether he’s supposed to be a box-to-box midfielder or a defensive midfielder when he plays for the U.S.
Michael Bradley, MF – 5.5; Gave the U.S. an early lead with a header, but was nonexistent besides and passed poorly. Not match fit or match sharp and probably shouldn’t be starting a game of this magnitude after making three appearances in club football since January. Helps when your dad is coach, I guess.
Alejandro Bedoya, MF – 5; Got forward a lot in the first half, disappeared once Mexico scored. A little too eager to get into the goal area when he should be helping guys out on the wings a bit. Wasteful with his passing.
Landon Donovan, LW – 5.5; Scored to put the U.S. 2-up, but the only thing he contributed besides that was a dumb foul that eventually led to Rafa Marquez leaving the game through injury. Desperately needed to help Bornstein on the left, but didn’t, part of the reason Mexico were so rampant.
Freddy Adu, RW – 7; Strangely, along with Jozy Altidore, was probably the player of the tournament for the U.S. Assisted on Bradley’s goal and seemed to be the only U.S. player who could hang onto the ball.
Clint Dempsey, F – 5.5; Set up Donovan’s goal, but had little impact on the match, especially once Mexico took control. The U.S. missed having Altidore’s hold up play in this game.
Jonathan Bornstein, SUB – 4; Once he entered the match, the momentum switched to Mexico. Couldn’t deal with Barrera (who scored twice with Bornstein defending him) on the right, or Guardado when he switched. Simply not good enough at this level, though he too seems to be a Bradley favorite.
Juan Agudelo, SUB – 5; No impact on the game. Great potential, but considering that he gets more playing time for the U.S. national team than his club team, you could argue he shouldn’t be playing.
Sacha Kljestan, SUB – NR; Didn’t affect the match after coming in for Adu.
Bob Bradley, Coach – 4; Bradley has been in charge for what, five years? I think it’s time to bring new blood into the U.S. coaching ranks. Made questionable substitutions; brought players in who arguably weren’t match fit and gave them starting roles; aside from the Gold Cup win in 2007 and the spirited run in the 2009 Confederations Cup, hasn’t won much of anything with the U.S. team. It’s time for a change.

Mexico

Alfredo Talavera, GK – 7; Couldn’t do much about the two goals, though he got a hand to Bradley’s. The U.S. just couldn’t find a way around him.
Carlos Salcido, LB – 5.5; Struggled with Adu before being replaced with an injury.
Rafa Marquez, D – 5.5; Like the rest of Mexico, seemed caught off-guard with the U.S. goals to start the match. Left with injury.
Hector Moreno, D – 7; More than capable in defense. Helped shut down Dempsey.
Efrain Juarez, RB – 6.5; Struggled a bit early with Donovan putting the U.S. ahead 2-0, but recovered well and had little to do in the second half.
Gerardo Torrado, MF – 6.5; Caught in possession a lot early, but moved the ball well to Mexico’s wingers in the second half and helped snuff out any American threat.
Israel Castro, MF – 6.5; See Torrado.
Andres Guardado, LW – 7,.5; After slow start, terrorized Lichaj and the U.S. defense. His equalizer caused a noticeable drop in the U.S. attacking play.
Giovanni Dos Santos, AMF – 8; Scored an amazing goal, ran the Mexico’s offense, probably could’ve scored several more goals. The U.S. had no one who could stop him.
Pablo Barrera, RW – 8; Like Guardado, ran around, past and by Bornstein and the U.S. defense. Scored twice.
Javier Hernandez, FW – 6.5; Didn’t score, but did a good job moving the ball around well and holding the ball up.
Hector Reynoso, SUB – 7.5; Very solid in defense after coming in for Marquez, and considering how important the occasion, that was quite impressive.
Jose Torres de Nilo, SUB – 7; Also did well after coming in for Salcido.
Jesus Zavala, SUB – NR; Didn’t really have an effect on the match after entering, but that was OK because Mexico were in control by that point.
Jose Manuel de la Torre – Coach – 9; Did what no one has for Mexico in a long time – beat a full-strength U.S. team in a match that matters. Substitutions helped win the match – and the entire tournament for Mexico.