The United States under-20 men's national team has defeated France 3-2 on Sebatian Soto's two goals and Justin Rennick's game winner. The USA took the initial lead before falling behind 2-1. The French dominated possession and shots on target, but the Americans survived and played well on the counter attack. I rate each American player's performance in this round of 16 performance before they move on to battle Ecuador in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.
Goalkeeper
Brady Scott - FC Koeln - Bundesliga 2
Rating: 3
Scott, while not the reason for either goal, displayed awful positioning and terrible reflex on the first French goal which he should have been able to stop. His laziness to get back in goal off of the rebound off the post for France's second goal proved backup goalkeeper David Ochoa might have been the better choice.
Defenders
Chris Gloster - Hannover 96 II - Regionalliga
Rating: 7.5
Gloster played very well pushing up the left side of the pitch and played dangerous balls through to his attacking teammates. Gloster was also able to show off his dribbling abilities versus the slower French defenders, and he showed why he is a key part to this national team.
Aboubacar Keita - Columbus Crew - MLS
Rating: 3.5
Keita was the reason for both French goals as his footwork on the first goal allowed the French attackers to run right past him, while his indecision whether or not to attack the ball on the second allowed French winger Moussa Diaby to steal it away and outrun him to the free shot on goal which ultimately rebounded straight to Nabil Alioui who put it in the back of the net.
Chris Richards FC Bayern II - 3. Liga
Rating: 6.5
Richards silently did his job most of the game until the USA had to make their final stand in the last ten minutes of the game. Richards shut down opposing strikers and wingers which allowed the US to move on to the quarterfinals against Ecuador.
Sergino Dest - Ajax - Eredivisie
Rating: 9
It is hard to tell which was more impressive: Dest's defense or his offense. On offense, he consistently pushed up the wing and made key impacts for the US attack including a bullet from long range that bounced off keeper Alban Lafont's hands straight to the feet of Justin Rennicks who put it away for US's third and final goal of the game.
Mark McKenzie - Philadelphia Union - MLS
Rating: 3.5
McKenzie came in as a sub for Soto in the late game to try to prevent a French goal with around seven minute remaining in regular time. McKenzie then fouled French star Mickael Cuisance right outside the American box, but fortunately for him and the US, the referee didn't see it.
Midfielders
Paxton Pomykal - FC Dallas - MLS
Rating: 5
Pomykal had an okay game. He was not involved too much with play, but he did make some valuable stops on the defensive side. However, he gave the ball up too often on his runs towards goal.
Brandon Servania - FC Dallas - MLS
Rating: 5.5
Servania dropped back and played more of a defensive role in the midfield, and he played well. His short passes found their mark more often than not, and he regained possession for his side well enough.
Richie Ledezma - PSV Eindhoven - Eredivisie
Rating: 9.5
Ledezma started the game as an attacking midfielder and played very well making threatening runs that forced the French center backs to step up before he killed them with through balls. His through ball to Sebastian Soto for the Americans first goal of the game was flawless, and he was dangerous in his attacking role the whole game. Later, he moved back into a more defensive center midfield role, and his passes were precise and visionary.
Forwards
Sebastian Soto - Hannover 96 - Bundesliga 2
Rating: 9
Soto netted two of the US's goals in clinical fashion and has proven himself to be the US's best number 9 so far. He has now scored 3 goals in his last 4 matches at this World Cup, and he could be the one to take the reigns from Jozy Altidore on the senior team in a couple years.
Timothy Weah - PSG - Ligue 1
Rating: 8.5
Weah's incredible pace allowed him to stretch the French defense, and he passed the ball well across the middle to set up great chances for his teammates. Weah has developed into an absolute star.
Ulysses Llanez - VFL Wolfsburg u19 - German Youth League
Rating: 8.5
Llanez came on for de la Fuente and then subsequently showed why he should have started the match. He nearly hammered in a shot from considerable distance before using his skills and passing display to help secure the victory for the Americans.
Justin Rennicks - New England Revolution - MLS
Rating: 7.5
Rennicks scored the game-winner after Sergino Dest's bullet shot bounced off the hands of French goalkeeper Alban Lafont. Rennicks ran well and gave full effort since coming on as a substitute, and his passes were crisp and dangerous through balls for attacking partners Soto and Weah.
Konrad de la Fuente - FC Barcelona Juvenil A - UEFA Youth League
Rating: 2
De La Fuente's World Cup is hopefully over. For USA fans everywhere, I hope it is. De la Fuente, deemed the next American star, has been horrific. He consistently dribbles into two or three defenders and loses the ball. It is very rare that he passes, but he excels at giving up possession.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Sunday, June 2, 2019
USA U20 Men's National Team Player Ratings - Group Stages
With the men's u-20 FIFA World Cup advancing into the knockout rounds, with the US involved in the lucky bunch moving on, I grade every player's performance to this point from 1-10, with 10 being the highest.
Goalkeepers
Brady Scott - FC Koln - Bundesliga 2
Rating: 6.5
Scott started the first two of three group stage games, and he played fairly well. It would be hard to fault him for either of the goals he conceded versus Ukraine. He did hold a clean sheet against Nigeria.
David Ochoa - Real Salt Lake - MLS
Rating: 7
Ochoa played well in his sole start against Qatar; although he did have a shaky start. Positioning and handling are two skills Ochoa needs to improve upon, but he was able to post a clean sheet in the US's final group game which helped them claim the second spot in their group.
Defenders
Aboubacar Keita - Columbus Crew - MLS
Rating: 5
Keita is a talented player, but he makes far too many mistakes. While he played fairly well against Ukraine and Nigeria, his performace against Qatar was awful, and he is lucky he did not cost his team a knockout stage berth.
Chris Richards - Bayern II - 3. Liga
Rating: 8
Richard, the young Bayern II star, has had a very good tournament thus far. Like may of FC Bayern's talented center backs, Richards is cool and composed with the ball and finds the right passes. Also, he is very good at snuffing out attacks.
Mark McKenzie - Philadelphia Union - MLS
Rating: 5
McKenzie is a very talented youngster, but his positioning in the right back position was awful in the USA's last group game. He consistently allowed the opposition's wings whatever space they would like, before sprinting out once they received the ball.
Chris Gloster - Hannover 96 II - Regionalliga
Rating: 8
Gloster contributed very well to the attack up the wing and made many very good runs that should have been taken more advantage of by his teammates. If Gloster gets the ball on the wing, he can be very dangerous.
Sergino Dest - Ajax - Eredivisie
Rating: 6.5
Dest played well as a full back attacking up the wings, but he made a few defensive mistakes including one that contributed majorly to the opening goal for Ukraine.
Matthew Real - Philadelphia Union - MLS
Rating: 5
Although he didn't get to play too much, Real looked like an able defensive replacement as a wing back but failed to give manager Tab Ramos the attacking prowess provided by others on the roster.
Midfielders
Alex Mendez - SC Freiburg u-19 - German Youth League
Rating: 6.5
Mendez was one of the US's most impactful players through the group stages and proved his long shots can be quite dangerous. However, he consistently failed to finish his opportunities. His passing display was average to good. Unfortunately, he will miss the match against France after picking up his second yellow card in the Qatar game.
Chris Durkin - DC United - MLS
Rating: 5
Durkin started all three games for the United States, and he was very inconsistent. In his first game (against Ukraine), he had a horrible performance in which he gave the ball away nearly every possession and was unable to slow down the opposition in the midfield defensively. He excelled against Nigeria where his relentless defensive hustle allowed the US to create a few turnovers, and he found the right passes. Against Qatar, he had an average performance where he turned the ball over too many times but still slowed down the Qatar attack slightly. When he's on his game, he's a game changer.
Paxton Pomykal - FC Dallas - MLS
Rating: 7
The FC Dallas midfielder has enjoyed a fine World Cup so far and was the team's foremost playmaker in the Ukraine loss and Nigeria win. I would not be surprised if he became a midfield stud for a European team within the next decade.
Brandon Servania - FC Dallas - MLS
Rating: 6.5
Servania has provided the US with a decent attacking option out of the midfield. Club teammates with Pomykal, the two thrived as a duo despite the loss against Ukraine. Servania loves to surge ahead and make runs into the box, but he can be a liability defensively.
Richie Ledezma - PSV Eindhoven - Eredivisie
Rating: 8
While Ledezma has only played one game and was a substitute in his lone appearance, his performance against Qatar after checking in was near flawless. He made exhilarating runs down the flank with some hard, exciting crosses into the middle and nearly scored as his long-distance shot banged against the crossbar.
Forwards
Konrad de la Fuente - FC Barcelona Juvenil A - UEFA Youth League
Rating: 4
De la Fuente has been beyond disappointing in this World Cup, and I would love to see him replaced by Ledezma on the wing. While de la Fuente is supposed to be one of the US's brightest young stars, already playing for FC Barcelona II at 18 years of age, he oft gives up possession after dribbling into two or three defenders. His crosses are inaccurate, and he can't get a shot off because of his lack of ball control. So far, Konrad de la Fuente's potential has looked like a subpar American soccer play at best.
Sebastian Soto - Hannover 96 - Bundesliga 2
Rating: 7
Soto netted two goals against Nigeria and displayed excellent hold up play against Qatar. While he gives away possession just a bit too much to be considered a US star at this point, he has been one of this side's biggest attacking threats throughout the group stages.
Timothy Weah - PSG - Ligue 1
Rating: 7
Weah started off the tournament as the center striker in Tab Ramos's lineup, but he was quickly moved outside where he has thrived as a winger. His speed and dribbling ability allow him to make quick cuts and make runs past the opponent's back line. He scored the game winner against Qatar and nearly netted a brace but couldn't finish one-on-one with the keeper. While Weah's play has been quite good, his finishing needs much help if he is to be considered a star one day.
Ulysses Llanez - VFL Wolfsburg u-19 - German Youth League
Rating: 7
Llanez, like Ledezma, hasn't gotten very much playing time this World Cup, but when he did get on the pitch,(versus Qatar), made beautiful runs and crossed the ball nicely into the box or earned corners. A Ledezma/Llanez pairing would be very fun to see as the tournament progresses.
Justin Rennicks - New England Revolution - MLS
Rating: 5
Rennicks is a capable forward, but he hasn't been able to show much of his ability yet. However, his hustle and willingness to run and not give up have earned him our hearts.
Goalkeepers
Brady Scott - FC Koln - Bundesliga 2
Rating: 6.5
Scott started the first two of three group stage games, and he played fairly well. It would be hard to fault him for either of the goals he conceded versus Ukraine. He did hold a clean sheet against Nigeria.
David Ochoa - Real Salt Lake - MLS
Rating: 7
Ochoa played well in his sole start against Qatar; although he did have a shaky start. Positioning and handling are two skills Ochoa needs to improve upon, but he was able to post a clean sheet in the US's final group game which helped them claim the second spot in their group.
Defenders
Aboubacar Keita - Columbus Crew - MLS
Rating: 5
Keita is a talented player, but he makes far too many mistakes. While he played fairly well against Ukraine and Nigeria, his performace against Qatar was awful, and he is lucky he did not cost his team a knockout stage berth.
Chris Richards - Bayern II - 3. Liga
Rating: 8
Richard, the young Bayern II star, has had a very good tournament thus far. Like may of FC Bayern's talented center backs, Richards is cool and composed with the ball and finds the right passes. Also, he is very good at snuffing out attacks.
Mark McKenzie - Philadelphia Union - MLS
Rating: 5
McKenzie is a very talented youngster, but his positioning in the right back position was awful in the USA's last group game. He consistently allowed the opposition's wings whatever space they would like, before sprinting out once they received the ball.
Chris Gloster - Hannover 96 II - Regionalliga
Rating: 8
Gloster contributed very well to the attack up the wing and made many very good runs that should have been taken more advantage of by his teammates. If Gloster gets the ball on the wing, he can be very dangerous.
Sergino Dest - Ajax - Eredivisie
Rating: 6.5
Dest played well as a full back attacking up the wings, but he made a few defensive mistakes including one that contributed majorly to the opening goal for Ukraine.
Matthew Real - Philadelphia Union - MLS
Rating: 5
Although he didn't get to play too much, Real looked like an able defensive replacement as a wing back but failed to give manager Tab Ramos the attacking prowess provided by others on the roster.
Midfielders
Alex Mendez - SC Freiburg u-19 - German Youth League
Rating: 6.5
Mendez was one of the US's most impactful players through the group stages and proved his long shots can be quite dangerous. However, he consistently failed to finish his opportunities. His passing display was average to good. Unfortunately, he will miss the match against France after picking up his second yellow card in the Qatar game.
Chris Durkin - DC United - MLS
Rating: 5
Durkin started all three games for the United States, and he was very inconsistent. In his first game (against Ukraine), he had a horrible performance in which he gave the ball away nearly every possession and was unable to slow down the opposition in the midfield defensively. He excelled against Nigeria where his relentless defensive hustle allowed the US to create a few turnovers, and he found the right passes. Against Qatar, he had an average performance where he turned the ball over too many times but still slowed down the Qatar attack slightly. When he's on his game, he's a game changer.
Paxton Pomykal - FC Dallas - MLS
Rating: 7
The FC Dallas midfielder has enjoyed a fine World Cup so far and was the team's foremost playmaker in the Ukraine loss and Nigeria win. I would not be surprised if he became a midfield stud for a European team within the next decade.
Brandon Servania - FC Dallas - MLS
Rating: 6.5
Servania has provided the US with a decent attacking option out of the midfield. Club teammates with Pomykal, the two thrived as a duo despite the loss against Ukraine. Servania loves to surge ahead and make runs into the box, but he can be a liability defensively.
Richie Ledezma - PSV Eindhoven - Eredivisie
Rating: 8
While Ledezma has only played one game and was a substitute in his lone appearance, his performance against Qatar after checking in was near flawless. He made exhilarating runs down the flank with some hard, exciting crosses into the middle and nearly scored as his long-distance shot banged against the crossbar.
Forwards
Konrad de la Fuente - FC Barcelona Juvenil A - UEFA Youth League
Rating: 4
De la Fuente has been beyond disappointing in this World Cup, and I would love to see him replaced by Ledezma on the wing. While de la Fuente is supposed to be one of the US's brightest young stars, already playing for FC Barcelona II at 18 years of age, he oft gives up possession after dribbling into two or three defenders. His crosses are inaccurate, and he can't get a shot off because of his lack of ball control. So far, Konrad de la Fuente's potential has looked like a subpar American soccer play at best.
Sebastian Soto - Hannover 96 - Bundesliga 2
Rating: 7
Soto netted two goals against Nigeria and displayed excellent hold up play against Qatar. While he gives away possession just a bit too much to be considered a US star at this point, he has been one of this side's biggest attacking threats throughout the group stages.
Timothy Weah - PSG - Ligue 1
Rating: 7
Weah started off the tournament as the center striker in Tab Ramos's lineup, but he was quickly moved outside where he has thrived as a winger. His speed and dribbling ability allow him to make quick cuts and make runs past the opponent's back line. He scored the game winner against Qatar and nearly netted a brace but couldn't finish one-on-one with the keeper. While Weah's play has been quite good, his finishing needs much help if he is to be considered a star one day.
Ulysses Llanez - VFL Wolfsburg u-19 - German Youth League
Rating: 7
Llanez, like Ledezma, hasn't gotten very much playing time this World Cup, but when he did get on the pitch,(versus Qatar), made beautiful runs and crossed the ball nicely into the box or earned corners. A Ledezma/Llanez pairing would be very fun to see as the tournament progresses.
Justin Rennicks - New England Revolution - MLS
Rating: 5
Rennicks is a capable forward, but he hasn't been able to show much of his ability yet. However, his hustle and willingness to run and not give up have earned him our hearts.
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