Switzerland vs. USA: Winners and Losers from International Friendly
The U.S. national team held Switzerland to a 1-1 draw in Zurich on Monday afternoon, finishing the game with 10 men due to the sending off of Jozy Altidore.
Brek Shea put the visitors ahead just before half-time with a cracking free-kick, but Valentin Stocker equalised 10 minutes before the final whistle by poking home from a corner.
Here, B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Alejandro Bedoya, Who Shone
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Alejandro Bedoya has been the U.S. national side's best player in 2015, and his excellent form continued into the game in Zurich.
Playing on the right-hand side of the midfield diamond, Bedoya sprang into space superbly and fired over a number of teasing crosses—one to Gyasi Zardes, one to Michael Bradley—before the USMNT eventually took the lead.
His finesse and speed are a wicked combo, and he suits the shuttling midfield role perfectly.
He tweeted after the match: "Always an honor to rep for the USA! Great effort tonight from the guys as we continue to work hard together! #USMNT"
Loser: Gyasi Zardes, Who Wasted a Big Chance
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Gyasi Zardes comes out of this international break as a loser, having failed to impress in either match the U.S. national team played.
In particular, against Switzerland, he missed two golden chances. First, he skied a horrific effort after Alejandro Bedoya picked him out in the box; and second, his headed effort that trickled wide (after the goalkeeper had left an open goal) could have sealed the game.
In the second half he had a tough task, marshalling up front alone with his side a man down, but he was replaced late on, worryingly, by the man many believe could take his spot: Jordan Morris.
Winner: Toronto FC, Who Get a Fresh Jozy Altidore Returned
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Jozy Altidore's dodgy hamstrings are of chief concern to the Toronto FC front office, so to see him leave the field after around 65 minutes with a red card shown to his face was probably more of a relief to his club.
He grabbed a caution for chopping his opponent down on the counter-attack in a pretty standard foul, then mouthed off to the referee—dropping an F-bomb—and was deservedly sent off for it.
A blow to the USMNT, certainly, as his side plodded along with 10 and eventually lost the lead, but his MLS side will welcome back a fresher, fitter Altidore than perhaps originally feared.
Sports Illustrated senior writer Grant Wahl wrote: "Better in some areas for US, but Altidore red card leads to another late goal allowed. Tie that feels less than that."
Loser: Francois Moubandje, Who Got Shredded
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Stepping in for a first-team regular on the cusp of world-class status is an unenviable task, but Francois Moubandje really stuck out for all the wrong reasons on Monday afternoon.
Charged with playing left-back in a side who are usually blessed by the extreme talents of Ricardo Rodriguez in the position, the Swiss defender was torn to shreds by Alejandro Bedoya and Timothy Chandler throughout.
He galloped forward to attack without securing what was behind him and struggled constantly in one-on-one duels.
Winner: Valentin Stocker, Who Finally Ended His International Barren Streak
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What stood as a fairly routine friendly with many of the Swiss players will represent a genuine breakthrough for substitute Valentin Stocker. He netted his first international goal since Oct. 12, 2010 (against Wales in a Euro 2012 qualifying match).
Stocker has been on a horrendous run for the national side and was hooked for poor play early at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but he came on at half-time to play on the left flank in Vladimir Petkovic's 4-3-3 and scored the equaliser in the 80th minute by poking home from a corner.
Hopefully, it's the beginning of a better run of form for the Bundesliga man.
