U23s: USA vs. Mexico: The Best and Worst of the Yanks

Caleb Porter's USA U23s did their part to make Wednesday a really nice day for US Soccer.  Even after losing Brek Shea to the senior team, the young guns topped Mexico 2-0 in their final tune-up match before Olympic qualifying.

The Best:

1)  Attractive playing style

Where the senior team fought and scraped their way to the win over Italy, the U23s owned the match against Mexico.  They were composed in possession and creative, both on and off the ball.  If the seniors won against the run of play, the youngsters deserved every bit of their victory.

2)  Opara and Kitchen solid as a rock

The pairing of Ike Opara and Perry Kitchen in the center of the US defense never looked troubled against Mexico.  They intervened calmly, positioned themselves well and organized from the back.  On a night when the center of the senior team looked shaky at best, it was a nice counterpoint to see these two show so well.

3)  Mix Diskerud bossed the midfield

Diskerud was simply superb on Wednesday.  He defended aggressively when needed and proved impossible for Mexico to push off the ball in the attack.  He'll get an assist for his corner kick that found Juan Agudelo's head and a goal because Freddy Adu grazed him with a 25-yard blast, but those aren't even the highlights of his performance.

For that see his 65th minute ball that put Joe Corona in behind the Mexican defense or any of the numerous times when he found himself holding off one or more defenders long enough to find the right pass. Diskerud was a level above the game on Wednesday.

The Worst:

1)  No left backs here either

Zarek Valentin was not strong playing on the left side of defense for the USA.  His passing out of the back found Mexican feet as often as his teammates' and although Mexico got few opportunities going forward, they did find some joy down his side from time to time.

And we probably shouldn't talk about the no-call when he dragged Marco Fabian down from the back after his own misplay put the Mexican forward in free on goal.

2)  The missing "penalty kicks"

Ike Opara's most serious misstep all night was pushing over a Mexican player as a cross went sizzling dangerously overhead.  The referee didn't call it, but it was a lapse in judgement that could have cost the US.

Similarly, Zarek Valentin's even clearer infraction against Marco Fabian in the 72nd minute was proof that not every referee hates the United States.

3)  It should have been a rout

Mexico saw none of the ball in this game. They saw even less of it in areas of the field where it might have been dangerous.  It's hard to imagine a more impotent Mexican attack.

But despite jealous control of the ball, the United States did not create a ton of clear cut chances on goal.  Juan Agudelo didn't get a clear sight all night.  In fact, the US only got six shots on goal all game.

Coach Porter's side will want to see their possession advantage yield a greater return as they begin their qualifying campaign for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.