USA vs. England World Cup: Handing Out Grades for American and England Players

Starters:

GK Tim Howard: 9

Howard was spectacular in goal. The only blemish was the English goal, but there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

He stopped everything that came his way, he rarely allowed a rebound, and he kept his defense organized.

He was everything the Americans needed him to be, and that's why they came away with a draw.

LB Carlos Bocanegra: 4

Bocanegra was not very effective at slowing the English attack down the right flank. He was consistently beaten by winger Aaron Lennon and defender Glen Johnson.

With that being said, he didn't allow a goal to either of those players. He could've helped on the only English goal, but that's just speculation.

He may have been exposed as a player that lacks pace, but he gives the Americans their best option at left back.

CB Oguchi Onyewu: 8

Going into the game, people were questioning if Onyewu would be fit enough to play. He proved to everyone that he was in shape and had no lingering effects of the knee injury that sidelined him for eight months.

He did an excellent job of marking England's top offensive threat, Wayne Rooney. He was also excellent in the air, winning nearly every ball that came his way.

On England's only goal, he was out of place. He either needed to be marking Rooney so he couldn't pass it up to Heskey, or in normal place in the back line. Instead, he chose to be in the middle of those two, and it cost the US dearly.

CB Jay DeMerit: 8

DeMerit did an excellent job pairing with Onyewu to slow down the potent English attack. He was solid in his marking and solid in the air.

At times, there was a lack of communication between he and Onyewu, but that should only improve with time as they haven't played together much in the past eight months.

RB Steve Cherundolo: 9

There was a question of who would start at right back for the Americans, and Cherundolo got the nod over Jonathon Spector.

He did an excellent job of marking the left wingers for England, rarely allowing them to get past him. His tackles were solid and he distributed well out of the back.

He also did a good job of linking up with the forwards and midfielders and helping in the attack. He should continue to get the nod at right back over Spector.

RM Landon Donovan: 6

Donovan had a very quiet game, which usually spells trouble for the Americans. Today, however, was a different story.

He didn't really get into the attack as much as Bob Bradley would have hoped, but he did his job on the wing.

He did a nice job of providing cover for the full backs and had pretty good service on the free kicks and corners.

CM Michael Bradley: 7

The Americans needed a good game from Bradley in the middle, and that's exactly what they got. He was solid as always.

Bradley distributed effectively to the wings and forwards, and also did a good job of joining them in the attack.

For the most part, he held Gerrard and Lampard in check, which was huge for the Americans.

CM Ricardo Clark: 5

Clark also had a very quiet game, but he is quite different from Landon Donovan. Whenever he has a quiet game, it is usually a good thing.

He teamed effectively with Bradley in the middle to slow down Gerrard and Lampard for the most part.

Gerrard beat him badly on the only goal by England. Clark was caught ball-watching and it cost the Americans a goal.

LM Clint Dempsey: 8

Dempsey was one of the few American players that was willing to take on the English defenders in an attempt to create some offense.

He was very fortunate to have scored the lone American goal, but he was willing to take shots to test the English keeper.

Dempsey even put in some effort on the defensive end, although it is very clear that defending isn't one of his strengths and he would rather be the one initiating the offense.

ST Jozy Altidore: 7

Altidore did a pretty good job of holding up the ball and allowing his teammates to join him. Robbie Findley didn't do much to help, so Altidore had to take it upon himself to attack the defense.

His one spectacular play came in the second half when he out-muscled and out-ran Jamie Carragher and nearly snuck the ball by English keeper Robert Green on the near post.

Altidore proved to all of his American doubters out there that he is able to create chances for himself and that he should be starting for the red, white and blue.

ST Robbie Findley: 4

Findley did not have the effect on the English defense that coach Bob Bradley had hoped for. He was constantly pushed around by the bigger players.

He had one play early in the game where he beat John Terry and earned a corner, but that was about it. He had a one-on-one breakaway against Jamie Carragher, but instead of trying to beat him, he chose to fall in an attempt to draw a foul.

Bob Bradley might choose to go with a more skilled forward for the next game such as Herculez Gomez or Edson Buddle, both of whom are on hot streaks right now.

Reserves:

ST Edson Buddle: 3

Buddle came on as a sub in the 77th minute in hopes that he could continue his hot streak.

He didn't really do anything worth noting, but he had a very limited time to work with.

RM Stuart Holden: 3

Holden came on as a sub in the 86th minute for Jozy Altidore when the Americans needed a boost on the right wing. He had a nice run down the flank to earn a corner, and he didn't blow an assignment on defense.

Coach Bob Bradley: 8

The elder Bradley did a good job of having his team ready to play against England. The early English goal showed the Americans' lack of focus to begin the game.

Bradley made good calls starting Ricardo Clark and Steve Cherundolo at center mid and right back, respectively.

There was a big question of whether or not Oguchi Onyewu was ready to play. Bradley played him, and Onyewu made his manager look good.

The only thing I would've changed is starting either Gomez or Buddle up top rather than Findley, but one can see that Bradley liked Findley's pace against the lead-footed English center backs.