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World Cup 2010 Player Ratings: England 1-1 USARobert Green howler hands Americans deserved point...
ENGLAND
Robert Green - 4 - Had little to deal with before somehow contriving to fumble Dempsey's shot over his own goal line on 40 minutes. The debate over England's No.1 intensified at that very moment. Needed the post to help him out when Altidore broke free in the second half.
Glen Johnson - 6 - Eager in attack, he almost produced an immediate response to Dempsey's equaliser with a neat run.
John Terry - 6 - Unable to make his presence felt in the opposition area at set-pieces due to some 'hands-on' tactics from the USA defenders. Secure and unhurried in defence.
Ledley King - 5.5 - Had performed well enough in the first half before being replaced by Jamie Carragher at half-time, presumably through injury.
Ashley Cole - 6 - A generally quiet night as he focused on nullifying Donovan, which he did to decent effect.
Aaron Lennon - 6 - Should have taken more responsibility and tested Howard when clean through on goal on 20 minutes instead of squaring across the face of goal, although did well to set up Heskey in the second half. Still not truly match fit after a lengthy lay-off, which begs the question why Capello didn't give him more of a run-out in the warm-up games.
Frank Lampard - 5.5 - Had a free-kick opportunity from fully 25 yards midway through the second half but blazed the Jabulani high and wide. Misplaced one pass straight out for a throw in to much jeering - a forgettable evening.
Steven Gerrard - 6 - Took just four minutes to show he wouldn't shrink from the responsibility of carrying the armband. Was a real marauder in the first quarter of the game, but his influence waned as America gained a foothold in the game.
James Milner - 4 - Perhaps fortunate to escape a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Cherundolo early on before finally picking one up on 26 minutes. Substituted soon after, and fair to assume the stomach bug that threatened his inclusion was a major part in an abject showing.
Emile Heskey - 7 - Perfectly weighted pass set Gerrard through on goal for the early opener. Blew his chance to end the naysaying once and for all, though, when shooting straight at Howard with all the time in the world in the second half.
Wayne Rooney - 6 - Still nowhere near the mid-season form that set the Premier League alight. A headed chance on 70 minutes would have been buried in January, but not this time. Almost stunned Howard with a long-range snapshot.
Substitutes
Shaun Wright-Phillips - 6 - On after half an hour for the wilting Milner. A much livelier presence who immediately set about forcing Cherundolo on to the back foot.
Jamie Carragher - 5.5 - On for King at half-time. Lucky to escape any punishment at all for a body check on Findley as the American sprinted goalwards.
Peter Crouch - 5 - On for Heskey on 80 minutes. Quickly had a headed chance that he failed to direct on target.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Tim Howard - 7.5 - Little chance when Gerrard was sent clean through on him early on. Took a hefty boot from Heskey but refused to buckle, and stared down the Aston Villa man when he was in on goal in the second half. Can return to the Everton dressing room next season with pride intact.
Steven Cherundolo - 6 - Had a handful of decent crossing opportunities in the opening quarter but couldn't produce the kind of delivery needed. Had the beating of an unfit Milner, but was booked for a foul on his replacement Wright-Phillips.
Oguchi Onyewu - 8 - Along with central defensive partner DeMerit, he refused to be intimidated by reputations and dealt with everything solidly. Perfect example of his night was how he tracked back to deny Lampard a clear shot on goal with the clock ticking down. Nobody contributed more to the USA cause.
Jay DeMerit - 7 - Got too close to Heskey for the opener which made the striker's lay off all too easy. Booked near the beginning of the second half but put in a sterling shift.
Carlos Bocanegra - 6 - Could have scored had he managed to direct Donovan's fierce free-kick on target in the second half. Only struggled defensively when Johnson overlapped to good effect.
Landon Donovan - 6.5 - Fabulous measured cross picked out Altidore six yards from goal on 18 minutes, but the striker headed wide. Some good set-piece deliveries, but Cole did a fine job of keeping America's true star quiet in open play.
Clint Dempsey - 7 - Had already shown his willingness to shoot from distance even before somehow beating Green with a tepid effort.
Michael Bradley - 6 - Held his own against the more heralded Gerrard and Lampard. Some incisive passing and always looked comfortable on the ball.
Ricardo Clark - 6 - Played his part in America's determined midfield effort without ever taking a starring role.
Jozy Altidore - 6 - Probably should have done better from Donovan's cross than head harmlessly low and wide. An even greater opportunity came in the second half but he was denied by a combination of Green and the upright.
Robbie Findley - 6 - Must have thought he was in on goal before being barged over by Carragher with 18 minutes to play. Booked soon after for a lunge on Gerrard.
Substitutes
Edson Buddle - N/A - Replace Findley on 77 minutes.
Stuart Holden - N/A - Short run-out in place of Altidore. |
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