Final worthless rankings...
Freese 4 -started so strong. Ended as bad as it could be.
Ream 4 - communication was poor and was beat out physically by a dude who looks like he is 10. His age really showed tonight.
Richards 4.5 - I'm so disappointed. He is our best centerback and he played poorly as well. Communication issues and failure to clear.
Freeman 5.5 - Got beat a few times, to much space others. Couldn't go forward and when he did he didn't get the ball.
Dest 3 - Holy crap... I love Dest. He is so fun on the ball. He couldn't dribble, pass, defend. Really not a great tournament for him.
Robinson 3.5 - Holy crap pt. 2. He's playing more forward than he did for Fulham but he had a very poor tournament. One of my favorite players on the team but his defending was bad, I can't think of a single 1v1 win and his touch was not where it needs to be.
Adams 5.5 - Workhorse but went MIA a lot tonight. Not all his fault. Just didn't get the ball on offense as we skipped the midfield a ton, especially in the 1st half.
McKennie 6 - might be the most consistent guy but couldn't find the ball either. Missed some opportunities on ball when he did have it. Did break up play and press well.
Tillman 7 - got the goal. Looked to be one of the only dangerous players. Just not enough tonight.
Pulisic 3 - injury or not... get the ball off your foot. Must develop more and he will get one, maybe two, more runs at this.
Balogun 6 - physical, played with heart. Made runs. Couldn't get on the ball.
Subs
Gio 5.5 - didn't turn the ball over as much as Dest. Absent from the game.
Berlhalter 6.5 - actually made a difference. He was a positive sub and a grumbled when he came on.
Pepi 5 - he keeps getting his name called and he keeps failing to produce.
Arfsetn NR - played less than 2 min
Wright NR - playes less than 2 min
Poch 5 - I mean, he can't be responsible for getting the players mentally ready for this. You should have wanted this more than any game. We weren't ready... his tactical changes weren't working though either.
Overall... I am sad, want to puke, want to punch a hole in the wall. I can't ever decide if the USMNT, Iowa football or Iowa basketball is my #1 favorite team. During a world cup it is always soccer.
My hope for the World Cup is that it inspires the next generation and that I am proud of the way they went out. I think we started both well and ended with a thud. The disastrous ending in every way possible sours the cup for me. I love this team and am sad that many players will be done despite shaky performances.
What I hope to see:
If you aren't getting regular minutes in the top 5 leagues in Europe (England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany) go to the MLS. seriously... grow the sport here. The next player who goes to the Netherlands better be the last. We are having a major problem with our players there, the league isn't that good. Tillman is the only player who I feel has gotten better by playing there and now can't get minutes in Germany. Our boys playing in Scotland? Find somewhere else. You play on the best team that hardly ever loses there.
I want to be clear. The top 5 leagues are head and shoulders better. We need guys there but they have to play.
What do we need?
Center backs. Banks will make the choice between Germany or the US. Both went out in early knockout stages. He has automatic playing time and Poch should be getting him in the next friendly. Richards will still be there but who else if Banks fails? CCV? Probably to old. Miles Robinson is a shell of himself. McKenzie will be 31 and looked poor against Turkey.
This continues to be the biggest issue for 30 years and never seems to get fixed.
Goalkeeper went from strength to major weakness. Not one of the two that played looked good. We need someone to step up. Three MLS keepers and the two that got in looked like spazes.
Depth... absent. Gio had a great goal. Berlhalter looked fine. Nobody else looked remotely ready.
I'm assuming Poch will not be back. He wants to coach club. I'm not sure who the next coach is but it better work.
Overall... it is fresh but it is a deep wound. I hope we can host again in my lifetime but I doubt I will ever get to see the US play in person in a World Cup. That makes me more sad...
I would give this world cup a final grade of a C. Got to where we should have but looked awful doing it today.