The United States national team played to a dull and nearly unwatchable scoreless draw against Canada on Tuesday night, and that was cause for alarm.
After an uninspiring opening round of World Cup qualifying in 2012, the team is still not improving offensively. While Tuesday's game in Houston did not feature most of the top American players, it still was an important opportunity for Coach Jurgen Klinsmann to learn about new and young players.
The one silver lining from the game is that the two central defenders — Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez — did not have poor outings. Central defense is currently a mess for the United States, with Clarence Goodson, Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra all having poor seasons with their clubs. Besler and Gonzalez did not have much of a test against a bunkering Canadian team, but they were decent when called into action. If either player is able to help the team moving forward, it will have been a productive camp.
Aside from that, this game will be forgotten quickly — thankfully — with the start of the final round of World Cup qualifying starting next week.
The Ratings (on a scale of 1, diabolical; to 10, world class):
Starters
Sean Johnson: Johnson was the surprise starter against Canada and made a terrific point-blank save against Dwayne De Rosario early in the first half. That was one of the few times he was called into action, but it perhaps saved the Americans from an embarrassing loss. Rating: 6
Tony Beltran: Beltran's first cap was one to forget. As a right back he struggled to get forward, and when he did he was unable to combine well with teammates. Having an attacking fullback with the ability to send in dangerous balls from wide positions is crucial in breaking down a defensive team like Canada. Beltran was unable to deliver. Rating: 3.5
Omar Gonzalez: All eyes were on Gonzalez in this game as rebuilding the United States central defense is a priority for Klinsmann. Gonzalez impressed in his return from A.C.L. surgery and was a major reason why the Los Angeles Galaxy was able to turn around a subpar start to the season and win its second straight M.L.S Cup. Against Canada, Gonzalez was not asked to do a lot but he looked decent the few times he had to make a play. On set pieces he was in good positions to be dangerous but could not capitalize. While not much was learned about Gonzalez tonight, he will most likely be involved with the team in 2013. Rating 5.5
Matt Besler: After winning the M.L.S Defender of the Year award in 2012, expectations were high for Besler in his first international appearance. He showed glimpses of potential against Canada but was not tested against a bunkering team. His passing out of the back was impressive, however, and that could be an asset for Klinsmann, who is looking to add central defenders in 2013. Rating: 6.0
Justin Morrow: Like Beltran, Morrow struggled in his international debut. In a game where he had space to move into the attack, he was largely invisible. Rating: 4.0
Kyle Beckerman: As one of the team's more experienced players, Beckerman wore the captain's armband. Playing in his normal defensive midfield position, Beckerman had a lot of time on the ball against Canada and did well in front of an inexperienced backline. Rating: 5.5
Graham Zusi: Last year was a breakout year for Zusi, who had a great season with Sporting Kansas City and started important games for the national team during World Cup qualifying. Tuesday was a disappointing outing for him, though, as he struggled to impose himself on an inferior opponent. Despite that, he will probably be on the U.S. team moving forward based on performances from last year. Rating: 4.5
Brad Davis: Despite being one of Houston's best players since 2006, Davis was not able to have an impact on the game Tuesday. At age 31, Davis was probably getting one last chance to prove he belonged on the national team. Unfortunately for him, he was unconvincing. Rating: 4.0
Brad Evans: Given a huge responsibility against Canada to be the engine of the attack, Evans was not up to the task. His creativity was lacking, and while true that many of his teammates in the first half were not making runs to get into dangerous positions, Evans did not make a case to be part of the team's plans, either. Rating: 3.5
Chris Wondolowski: There is no doubt that Wondolowski has scored many great goals in M.L.S. and that this Canada team was probably worse than most M.L.S. teams. But Wondolowski's performance was poor and he had no effect on the game. He simply was not dangerous and played well below his ability. People have been wondering when Wondolowski's success would carry over to the national team; it now looks as if that day will probably never come. Rating: 3.5
Eddie Johnson: Johnson had a nice comeback story last year with Seattle and scored two important goals for the United States in October in a World Cup qualifier against Antigua and Barbuda. On tuesday, however, he looked like the Johnson that struggled for most of 2006-11. He was not able to beat defenders off the dribble or get into dangerous positions. His one benefit was that he drew a few dangerous fouls in the second half. Rating: 4.0
Substitutes
Joshua Gatt: The speedy Gatt is still a little raw but there is no question that he injected some much needed life into the game when he entered to start the second half. His pace will be valuable asset for Klinsmann, as he can stretch defenses and create opportunities. Rating: 6.0
Alejandro Bedoya: After entering the game in the second half, Bedoya was unable to give life to the American attack. Rating: 4.5
Juan Agudelo: Still only 20, Agudelo was more effective at forward than starters Wondolowski and Johnson. He has a ways to go, but he has the potential to be a nightmare to defend. Rating: 5.0
Alfredo Morales: A 22-year-old German American, Morales entered as a sub late in the second half and played well, but he did not have much of an impact on the game. Rating 5.0
Benny Feilhaber: With Canada bunkering, Feilhaber tried to break their defense down in the second half. While inconsistent, he did bring some much needed creativity to the game. Rating: 5.5
Will Bruin: There was hope that Bruin would boost the American attack when he entered the game in the 73rd minute. Bruin scored two goals for the United States last week against Club Tijuana and was playing in a stadium where he shines as a member of the Houston Dynamo. Still, he was largely invisible. Rating: 4.0
Coaching
Jurgen Klinsmann: 2012 was the best year ever for the national team in terms of winning percentage but that stat masks that the team has struggled offensively since Klinsmann was hired in August 2011. As 2013 begins, the offensive problems continued. Klinsmann's January camp was three weeks long, but the team looked as if it had never played together. Klinsmann stressed fitness during camp but poor fitness has never been a problem for American players. It looks like tactics, teamwork and building chemistry would have been better points of emphasis. The United States team was far more talented than the Canadian team, so Klinsmann bears responsibility for its inability to play to its potential. Rating: 3.0.
For news on American players at home and abroad, follow Brian Sciaretta on Twitter.
