Gregg Berhalter's side fell relatively flat as the inexperienced U.S. team couldn't get much going to conclude the annual January camp.
Even by January camp standards, this U.S. men's national team group was lacking star power. It was a group designed with a focus, generally, on the Olympics. This was a senior USMNT match, yes, but Saturday's January camp-closing friendly against Slovenia was really a youth exercise designed to see which of these young stars would sink and which would swim.
And the USMNT looked youthful. They looked inexperienced and naive and, at some points, like a group of players not quite ready for this senior international level. Save for a few standouts, the USMNT largely fell flat in what ended as a 1-0 loss to a Slovenia team constructed much the same as their own.
This match, of course, was always about the micro, not the macro. It was about individuals showing where they'd fit in the grand scheme of things. If a handful of these players can make it to the proper senior team, this match will be looked at as an important growing pain for a few young starlets.
Until that happens, though, this match will be looked at for what it really was: a disappointing exercise. There was little excitement generated by this USMNT group as they closed the annual January camp with a whimper.
GOAL rates the USMNT players from Toyota Field…
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Patrick Schulte (6/10):
Could have maybe done a bit better on the goal, and didn't have too much to do other than that aside from a nice save on a free kick late.
DeJuan Jones (6/10):
Crossing needs to get much, much better. Good other than that, but it's hard to look past a few wasted opportunities.
Sean Zawadszki (7/10):
Was pretty good at the heart of the defense. Completed a whole bunch of passes, including several good long balls. Did okay defensively, too, in a solid debut.
Miles Robinson (6/10):
Okay but not great. Long-range passing was a bit off, but was decent enough defensively on a day when he wore the captain's armband.
Shaq Moore (6/10):
Wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. Berhalter namedropped him as a potential replacement for the suspended Sergino Dest in the Nations League, but this performance didn't add much to his case.
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Josh Atencio (7/10):
Showed pretty well in this first USMNT cap. Made a few dangerous passes into the attacking third while completing 92 percent of his total passes on the day. Should feel good about his performance.
Aidan Morris (7/10):
A solid performance in the midfield. Moved the ball well, particularly with his long balls, and had a few good defensive moments. A step forward for the Columbus Crew starlet after a somewhat disappointing star to his senior USMNT career.
Timothy Tillman (7/10):
Very active and involved, which isn't always a given in these types of camps. Was decent on the ball and had plenty of energy off of it.
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Bernard Kamungo (6/10):
Learned a lesson about holding onto the ball too long as his error led to the opener. Aside from that, was actually pretty good, showing plenty of energy and confidence going forward despite the big mistake.
Brian White (5/10):
Never really got going as he struggled to really impact the game from the No. 9 spot before being taken out early in the second half.
Diego Luna (7/10):
The most purely dangerous player on the pitch, even if nothing quite came off. It's so easy to see what he brings creatively, even in a team as disjointed as this.
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Esmir Bajraktarevic (8/10):
Had a few really good sequences late that nearly netted the teenager a debut goal or assist. A really strong performance from a player with a bright, bright future.
John Tolkin (7/10):
Was good on the ball, nearly scoring a goal with the outside of his foot before missing another chance just a few seconds later. A brief run out, but one that should help his case a bit.
Jack McGlynn (7/10):
You saw what he can do with the ball at his feet, as he brought some of the passes that defined his U-20 run with him to the senior team.
Duncan McGuire (6/10):
Would have been nice to see him get a longer runout given his potential. Definitely felt more active than White was as the starter.
Caleb Wiley (N/A):
Was given less than 15 minutes and was limited to only a few touches.
Aziel Jackson (N/A):
Came on with just five minutes or so remaining to get a memorable first cap.
Gregg Berhalter (6/10):
You could see what he was trying to do with his starting XI, but it never quite came off. Substitutes definitely added to the game but, overall, it was a frustrating day for the USMNT.
