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.
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