The 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat exposed a number of flaws in the U.S., both with available personnel and with Jurgen Klinsmann's tactics and choices, and, as a result, there is a seriously heightened sense of pressure heading into Tuesday's rematch in Columbus, Ohio. Here are U.S. player ratings from the match.
M, Jermaine Jones, 3.5 -- Jones had an utterly forgettable night. Stepping into a tough assignment as a right-sided midfielder when he is more accustomed to a central role, Jones was clumsy on the ball, committed a handful of rash challenges and topped it off with a yellow card that puts him at risk for suspension should he pick up another in the coming games. Jones worked hard and was all over the field, but as a right winger, he created little for the attack. His best ball forward was an early curling cross that was just out of the reach for Jozy Altidore. The Jones-Kyle Beckerman-Maurice Edu triumvirate has its kinks, and when two of them are stationed as (supposed) wingers, it completely impedes the attempt to build anything from the flanks while working up the field.
D, Geoff Cameron, 5.5 -- Cameron was the most stable of the defenders and one of the more stable players wearing a U.S. jersey on the field in general. He wasn't tested individually all that frequently, but his clutch play to extend his leg and get to a headed-on ball at the edge of the 6-yard box in the first half prevented what would have been a sure Ryan Johnson goal. Assuming Carlos Bocanegra returns to the lineup against Jamaica in Columbus, Cameron is the most likely of the available center backs to pair with him. His move to Stoke City and successful start there appear to have made him a much more confident player.
