U.S. Player Ratings: USA vs. Panama

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The United States remained undefeated in 2012 as they edged Panama 1-0. It was by no means a pretty win but the team showed that a team with a two strikers in front is the way to go for the United States' future. This camp was meant to see who has a future with the USMNT and it showed to some extent who warrants another call up. 

Keeper: Nick Rimando

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Despite only playing the first half of the game, Rimando had a heck of a game. He made some very clutch saves including a one on one. He displayed his ability to use his athleticism and come out of goal to challenge the attackers. Rimando may be only 5'10", which considerably short for a keeper,  but showed he can play. He was subbed off at half for Sean Johnson after sustaining a minor injury while making a save at the end of the first half. 

 

Rating: 8 out of 10

Centerback: Michael Parkhurst

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Parkhurst had another solid performance for the Nats. He faced a much more dangerous attack than the Venezuelans but he remained strong. Though he was beat a couple of times, he did what he had to. His passing was also very good as he rarely turned the ball over.

 

Rating: 6 out of 10

Centerback: Geoff Cameron

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Cameron had a very good game on Saturday against a rather stale Venezuelan attack. Cameron was sent off in this match after making a rather dangerous challenge near the edge of the box. Although I'm not sure Cameron really deserved a red card, nonetheless it was partially his fault for letting striker, Blas Perez get behind the defense.

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 10

Leftback: Zach Loyd

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Loyd was a super sub in the United States' game against Venezuela. He started out a bit shaky yesterday, making a few bad passes and turning the ball over in the U.S. zone. But, he redeemed himself with a well placed free kick that ended up being put in the back of the net by Graham Zusi. He was subbed off the in the 41st minute for apparently an injury.

 

Rating: 5.5 out of 10

Rightback: A.J. DeLaGarza

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DeLaGarza played out of position again and showed me that he still isn't ready to be a right back at the international level. He had a decent game defending but wasn't very effective at getting forward.

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 10

Central Midfielder: Ricardo Clark

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The goal scorer from last Saturday had himself a good evening. He didn't make many mistakes and was solid when it came to defending in the U.S. zone. The much maligned Clark had himself an overall good camp and has given Klinsmann a reason to keep looking at him. Jeff Larentowicz came on for him in the 66th minute.

 

Rating: 6 out of 10

Central Midfielder: Jermaine Jones

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Jones, the clear MOTM for the U.S. vs. Venezuela, had another good performance. He was not as good as he was Saturday, but he unlike many of the MLS players, is in midseason form. He was very agressive with the ball and pushed the tempo which sometimes resulted in turnovers. However, he had a great camp and showed he is very much in the picture for the UMSNT.

 

Rating: 6.5 out of 10 

Left Midfielder: Brek Shea

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Shea, one of the emerging U.S. stars,  did not have a great game. Apparently he was sick, and that might have contributed to the fact that offensively he was basically a no show. He did help out on defense quite a bit which was nice to see but it wasn't a memorable game for the young Texan.

 

Rating: 4.0 out of 10

Right Midfielder: Graham Zusi

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Zusi, the lone goal scorer for the night, contributed offensively but again showed he isn't much of a wide midfielder and would be better suited in the center. It was a good game for the Sporting KC man, but I'd like to see him used in the center of the midfield to utilize his abilities more. He was subbed off for Brad Evans in the 66th minute.

 

Rating: 6 out of 10

Striker: Chris Wondolowski

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Wondo had a very good game, if not one of his best performances for the National team. He was dangerous throughout the game and had a great followup header which would have been a goal if not for a great save by the Panamanian keeper Luis Mejia. He got the shaft when Geoff Cameron was sent off, as he was subbed off in favor of another defender, Jeff Parke. If not for that, Wondo may have scored his first USMNT goal.

 

Rating: 6 out of 10

Striker: Teal Bunbury

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Bunbury did not have a good game. He gave the ball away too many times and did not physically assert himself enough to make an impact. He did deflect the ball right to Graham Zusi for the goal, but it seemed more accidental than intentional. Bunbury is eligible for Olympics due to his age and that would give him some valuable experience. Club teammate C.J. Sapong replaced him in the 76th minute.

 

Rating: 3.5 out of 10

Sub 1: Heath Pearce

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Pearce came on for the injured Loyd and had an average game. He didn't do anything memorable but didn't make any mistakes. 

 

Rating: 5 out of 10

Sub 2: Sean Johnson

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Johnson came on at halftime and did his job. He made all the routine saves and came up when needed. It should be interesting to see whether he or Bill Hamid wins the starting job for the upcoming Olympics. They are both big and athletic keepers, however, at this point it seems Klinsmann slightly favors Hamid.

 

Rating: 5.5 out of 10

Sub 3: Jeff Parke

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Parke came on when the U.S. went down to 10 men. He came in and made a very good impact overall as the U.S. defense seemed to become less porous once he joined the back line. He also did a good job at slide tackling the ball away from a Panama attacker inside the box. 

 

Rating: 6 out of 10

Sub 4: Brad Evans

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Evans didn't make much of an impact, but did what needed to be done. He did help the U.S. keep a little more possession in the second half. 

 

Rating: 5 out of 10

Sub 5: Jeff Larentowicz

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Similar to Evans, Larentowicz came on and didn't make much of an impact besides helping sure up the possession for the U.S.. Good night for the Colorado Rapids midfielder. 

 

Rating: 5 out of 10

Sub 6: C.J. Sapong

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Sapong replaced Sporting KC teammate Bunbury, and had a much better game than his predecessor. Sapong showed that physically, he is a force to reckoned with and did a very good job at holding the ball in Panama's side. Unfortunately, he is too old to qualify for the Olympics this summer but It wouldn't surprise me if he had a breakout year in the MLS.

 

Rating: 6 out of 10

USA vs. Italy: February 29th

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The USMNT has a big game coming up next month against Italy. It will be interesting to see what January campers are called up for the United States' first big test of 2012.