The United States Men's National Team were dominated in every aspect of the game and feel to Argentina 4-0. Lionel Messi led Argentina scoring on an amazing free kick in the 32nd minute and added two assists on the night. Argentina scored in the 3rd minute and never looked back or challenged at all in this one. The USMNT did not get off a single shot in the game. 

USMNT v Argentina Player Ratings (out of 10):

Brad Guzan, 4 - Could not make up his mind to come out and grab the ball or not and got caught in no man's land with an easy header over his head for the opening goal. Tough to give up a goal in third minute in that fashion. Got beat on the Messi free kick goal but really cannot be blamed for the pinpoint perfect shot. Had one nice diving save on another Messi shot. Gave up a rebound for the third goal on a reaction save and cannot be blamed for the fourth. 

DeAndre Yedlin, 4.5 - Nice run into the box in first half but could not find anyone on the cutback cross. Yedlin just could not find the right cross this tournament. Passing the ball literally to no one when pressure in defensive third. Struggled with the Argentina pressure when on the ball. Used his speed nicely to beat Messi to an open ball, literally the only player on the pitch that could have beaten Messi to the ball to save a possible goal.

Geoff Cameron, 5.5 - Not really at fault on any of the four goals. Moved to the midfield early in the second half, did OK there but could not find the possession or link up play whit the rest of the team.

John Brooks, 4.5 - Brooks could keep up his amazing play in the tournament in this one. He was not awful like the US mid and had some key interceptions and deflections but not the spotless performance the US needed. He got caught on the third goal letting Higuain run by and did not recover. 

Fabian Johnson, 3.5 - Had a couple of shot deflections and takeaways defensively. Offensively, he was a horrible liability with constant giveaways. Not at all what you would expect from a Bundesliga midfielder.

Gyasi Zardes, 5 - Seemed to be the only player to touch the ball offensively in the first half. Used his speed well but could do anything with the ball in the corner twice early on, could have tried to earn a corner but instead lost the ball both times. Sent a couple of good crossed into the box but no one could get on the end of the ball. Set up Yedlin for a nice run. Faded in the second half when playing almost alone up top, but did not get any real service.

Michael Bradley, 1 - Overall it was just a horrid game from the captain. He consistently gave the ball away all over the field. Killed offensive attacks, dominated by the pressure in his face in the midfield, and gave away balls in the defensive third that led to chances and goals. His bad pass to Birnbuam to set up the fourth and final Argentina goal. Gave his usual hustle but could not handle the skill or pressure of Argentina.

Kyle Beckerman, 3 (off 60') - Ugly game for Beckerman who looked like he could not keep up. Did not offer much support in possession and just was chasing the game. Got caught in no man's land with Guzan in the opening goal.

Graham Zusi, 3.5 - Zusi struggled mightily in the offensive half. Tracked back defensively but could not provide any help going forward at all. he did not complete a positive pass in the attacking third all night. 

Chris Wondolowski, 1 (off 45') - Fans were angry about his inclusion in the starting XI and Wondo only gave them a louder voice with this performance. His night was summed up in one sequence when he had a really bad giveaway in the midfield to Messi and then was yellow card for a take down leading to a free kick for Messi goal to make it 2-0. Subbed a halftime and rightfully so.

Clint Dempsey, 4.5 (off 78') - Really forgot Dempsey was out on the pitch for most of the game which is a bad sign for the USA. Dropped back to help defensively and did not get any real service going forward. Tough night for Dempsey but did not get any help at all.

Substitutes: 

Christian Pulisic, 4 (on 45') - Had the only scoring chance but still not sure if he was trying to shoot and horribly mishit it or was trying to pass. He has to shoot from 9 yards out down 3-0. Tried to make runs on the ball to challenge the defense but no real success.

Steve Birnbaum, 2 (on 60') - Served a poor ball from Bradley and did not handle it well. The ball fell to Messi and to a fourth and final goal. 

Darlington Nagbe, 5 (on 78') - Not much Nagbe could do down 3-0 in the 78' but showed energy some ability to posses the ball.

The US Men's National Team defeated Ecuador 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of the Copa America for the first time since 1995. Clint Dempsey scored the opening goal for the US in the 22nd minute on a beautiful headed ball on a pinpoint cross by Jermaine Jones.

Jermaine Jones was given a straight red card in the 52nd minute for putting his hands in the face of a Ecuador player after a second yellow card foul by Ecuador's Luis Valencia. Both teams played the 10-men from that point forward.

Gyasi Zardes scored the USA's second goal in the 65th minute on what could be the easiest goal he ever scores. Besler sent a cross into Zardes and the ball fell to Clint Dempsey who held off a defender and lunged to send a roller to the far post. Zardes was left alone to just tap the ball into the net to give the US a 2-0 lead.

Ecuador would pull one back in the 74th minute off a free-kick that Ecuador's Michael Arroyo put past Brad Guzan and into the lower corner. The USMNT held on desperately in the final minutes of the match and held on to win 2-1 to advance to the semifinals.

The USMNT will play the winner of Argentina vs Venezuela Tuesday at 9 PM ET.

USMNT v Ecuador Player Ratings (out of 10):

Brad Guzan, 8 - Came up big on a stop right before the half. Came out of net nicely when required. Little he could do on the lone Ecuador goal.

Fabian Johnson, 6 - Switched to RB with the absence of Yedlin. Struggled at times with the skill of Ecuador but handled himself. Did not have many chances to get forward after the opening minutes of the game.

Geoff Cameron, 7.5 - Another solid game from Cameron. One awful clearance early that setup a chance for Ecuador but other than that it was a good game for Cameron.

John Brooks, 9 - Let's start with the negative first, almost had an own goal late on a mishit that ricocheted off Guzan and out for a corner. Other than that Brooks has been a wall on the back line. He made a sliding shot deflection about 8 yards out and was all over the place with clearances. Brooks has had an amazing tournament thus far.

Matt Besler, 7 - Started a LB and dealt nicely overall with the skill of Antonio Valencia. It was a decent cross to Zardes that setup the second and deciding goal. 

Gyasi Zardes, 6.5 (off 94') - Zardes had a solid work-rate, worked to get back and scored the winning goal. All good things. The bad is his passing, vision and just not effective attacking option as he could be. 

Michael Bradley, 6.5 - Sent a great long ball to Dempsey to start a solid scoring chance for Bedoya. Had a bad giveaway just outside the 18 but recovered. Better second half. Going to be interesting to see what the captain can do in the semifinals against Argentina more than likely.

Jermaine Jones, 5 (red card 52') - Should have been a much higher grade with his intensity and the beautiful cross to Dempsey for the opening goal, but he has to maintain his composure and cannot afford to get a straight red card for no reason at all. The US should have been playing 11 on 10 with a goal lead, but now Jones will be forced to miss the semifinal match

Alejandro Bedoya, 5.5 (off 81') - Tracked back. Gave up a lazy foul that setup the lone Ecuador goal. Could have taken his shot better or laid it off to Wood but he challenged the keeper by putting it on frame. Bedoya will have to miss the semifinal game due to yellow card accumulation.

Clint Dempsey, 8 (off 74') - Came up big in a big game. Hit the header perfectly to give the US the lead. Set up the second goal to Zardes and could have had another assist to Bedoya.

Bobby Wood, 7.5 - Gave the Ecuador backline fits all night with solid runs. Wood's runs set up both US goals on the night. 

Substitutes:

Kyle Beckerman, 6.5 (on 74') - Did his job after coming on filling up the midfield and just pestering Ecuador

Graham Zusi, 6.5 (on 81') - Gave energy and fresh legs to a team that needed it

Steve Birnbaum, N/A (on 94') - Last second sub

The United States Men's National Team clinched a birth in the knock out round of the 2016 Copa America with a 1-0 win over Paraguay. Clint Dempsey found the back of the net in the 27' off a Gyasi Zardes cross for the lone score of the game.

Costa Rica surprised Colombia with a 3-2 victory giving the USA top seed for Group A. The US will face the second place team from Group B in the quarterfinals Thursday, June 16th in Seattle at 9:30 PM ET and will air on Fox Sports 1.

USMNT Player Ratings (out of 10):

Brad Guzan, 9.5 - Came up with a couple huge back to back saves in the second half and quick to come out and cut off the angle on a one on one challenge.

DeAndre Yedlin, 3 (red card 50') - Got forward nicely in the first half but could not find the right cross. Managed to get two yellows in a 60 second span. Simply cannot afford to lose your cool and put your team in that situation in an elimination game and now Yedlin has to sit out the quarterfinals. 

Geoff Cameron, 7.5 - Constant steady force on the back line.

John Brooks, 9.5 - Brooks got caught on one run by Paraguay that Guzan bailed him out but overall what a game for Brooks. Only play that is keeping him from a 10 out of 10. Singled handily he stopped a 3 on 1 and was all over the defensive third with constant key clearances and stopping build up play. Huge game from Brooks.

Fabian Johnson, 5 - Johnson looked to get forward all night. Gave up a 3 on 1 break in a scoreless game trying to steal the ball in the attacking third but Brooks bailed the entire team out. Not the best defensive night from Johnson.

Alejandro Bedoya, 6 (off 75') - Another quiet night for Bedoya offensively. Tracked back but nothing of note.

Michael Bradley, 6 - Served the ball the Zardes nicely in the goal build-up. Came up big defensively in the opening minutes. Other than that it was another night of looking backwards on the ball and hustling in the middle of the field. Not a great game from the captain but no key mistakes, still hope for more in the quarters.

Jermaine Jones, 6.5 - After an amazing game versus Costa Rica, Jones showed great hustle and energy again just did not have the magic as the previous game. Got a bit chippy at the end of the game, hoping he is in form for the next game.

Gyasi Zardes, 6.5 - Great run and cutback cross to set up Dempsey for the winning goal. Just another frustrating game from Zardes who should lik ethe Costa Rica game was set up perfectly to score inside the 18 but could not put a ball on frame. This time Zardes could not get a shot off at all. Good speed and better control, just could be better given his athleticism.

Clint Dempsey, 7.5 (off 50')- Notched his 51st international goal to give the US the win. Took the shot nicely and timed the run perfectly. Tracked back in attempts to get the ball. Had to be subbed off early due to the Yedlin red card.

Bobby Wood, 7 (off 83') - Wood worked hard all game. Was left alone up top after the USMNT were forced down to 10-men. Earned several fouls and showed energy and hustle.

Substitutes:

Michael Orozco, 6 (on 50') - Came on after the Yedlin red card. Had some shaky moments but came up with some clearances. Decent shift and keeping the backline solid after coming on.

Graham Zusi, 7 (on 75') - Again showed great energy after coming on as a sub. Several nice steals and runs. Jones and Zusi had missed communication that could have started a dangerous counter-attack.

Kyle Beckerman, 5 (on 83') - Horrible foul just outside the 18 a minute after coming on. Decent long distant effort late.

The US Men's National Team came out on fire against Costa Rica in a match that the USMNT could not afford to lose otherwise faced elimination from the 2016 Copa America. The US jumped to an early lead on a Clint Dempsey penalty kick in the 9th minute after Bobby Wood was pushed down trying to get a head onto a DeAndre Yedlin cross. Jermaine Jones added a second goal in the 37th minute after he stole the ball in the midfield with high pressure. Jones slotted it home low at the far post after Dempsey was putting on a dribbling display just outside the 18 yard box. Bobby Wood added another goal just before the half on a turn and shot from a Dempsey pass.

Substitute Graham Zusi capped off the night in the 87th minute after he stole the ball in the Costa Rican defensive half, found space and put the ball past the keeper to give the US a fourth goal on the night. The game ended with the scoreline USA 4 - 0 Costa Rica.

USMNT Player Ratings (out of 10):

Brad Guzan, 7 - Solid game from the US keeper. Not tested all that often but kept a clean sheet in a game the US needed to get a result.

DeAndre Yedlin, 5.5 - Got caught napping a few times in the first half as Costa Rica found space down his side, but used his speed to save him. Badly mishit a clearance that Costa Rican striker Joel Cambell just missed the net.

Geoff Cameron, 7 - Shaky give-away early but settled down and was a solid force on the backline again.

John Brooks, 7.5 - Overall a good game for Brooks. Showed great composure with the ball inside his on 18 after a Zardes mishit. He did lose Bryan Ruiz for an opener header that hit the post.

Fabian Johnson, 7 - Solid box-out on two attackers to keep them from getting a head on a cross. Solid defensive night for Johnson. Looked to get forward much more than he did versus Colombia.

Alejandro Bedoya, 6.5 (off 82') - More of a quiet night for Bedoya but did what he needed to helping out defensively.

Michael Bradley, 6.5 - Also a quiet night for the captain Michael Bradley, which after a horrible game versus Colombia is not necessarily a bad thing. Tidied up his giveaways and was a steady force in the midfield.

Jermaine Jones, 9 - What a game from Jones. He was all over the field, offensively and defensively. Took his goal nicely and well deserved after a pure hustle takeaway in the midfield. Showed incredible desire and hustle to knock down a cross inside the box to break up a Costa Rica counter attack. Well deserved Man of the Match award.

Gyasi Zardes, 5.5 - Should have scored on a great pass by Dempsey but he put it well over the bar. Tested the defense constantly and made runs to keep the defense honest. Helped defensively but some poor touches and giveaways also almost cost the US.

Clint Dempsey, 7.5 (off 78') - Solid game for the US striker. Dempsey was dangerous all night leading constant counterattacks. A goal and two assists (generous assist on the Jones goal) is a great night for Dempsey. Took his penalty well to get the US on the right footing in the match.

Bobby Wood, 7 (off 70') - Struggled early on the wing. Cautious decision making and giveaways killed several attacks. Moved more centrally and found more success and earned several free kicks. Took his goal really nicely.

Substitutes:

Graham Zusi, 8 (on 70') - Great hustle from Zusi and effort to steal the ball and knock home the last goal.

Chris Wondolowski, 6.5 (on 78') - Created space for Zusi's goal with a nice run to draw defenders but quiet, short shift for Wondo.

Kyle Beckerman, 6.5 (on 82') - More of a cameo for Beckerman.

The US Men's National Team lost 2-0 to Colombia to kick off the 2016 Copa America.  Colombian Cristian Zapata opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a solid volley off a corner. Zapata was able to get away from Geoff Cameron to knock home his first international goal. Colombia added a second goal on a 42-minute penalty kick by James Rodriguez. Colombia earned the penalty when DeAndre Yedlin was penalized for a hand ball in the box. The game would end with the 2-0 score line and Colombia begins the group stage with a solid 3 points.

The US had 11 shots on the night but could only manage two on goal, both by Clint Dempsey. Dempsey put a header on goal from a Bradley corner kick which was saved off the line by a Colombia defender and a beautiful curling free kick that Colombian keeper David Ospina kept out with a diving save.

The USMNT will next face Costa Rica on Tuesday in the second group stage match. The game will air on Fox Sports 1 at 8 PM ET.

USMNT Player Ratings (out of 10):

Brad Guzan, 6 - Not much Guzan could do on either goal. Some shaky moments coming out and looked timid on the Colombian breakaway that rang the cross bar. Did show solid hands on several long shots to not allow any chance at a rebound.

DeAndre Yedlin, 4.5 - Charged with a handball in the box that lead to the second Colombian goal. Did not see much service going forward. Showcased his speed tracking back but has to have more of an impact and find a way to get crosses into the box.

Geoff Cameron, 5 - Saved the US several times by tracking runners and using his speed and physicality. At fault for the first and deciding goal however. Cameron cannot lose his man in the box on the corner and let him hit a volley from just outside the six yard box.

John Brooks, 6 - Decent night for the young centerback. Forced to be the primary distributor of the ball all night and could not find anything looking forward. 

Fabian Johnson, 5 - Really a quiet night for the Left Back. Made no impact going forward. Did a decent job holding Juan Cuadrado in mostly in check.

Alejandro Bedoya, 4.5 (off 86') - Disappointing night for Bedoya who looked solid in the warm-up games. Sent a decent volley chance into the upper deck. Part of a midfield that showed little connection.

Michael Bradley, 3.5 - Extremely disappointing night from the captain. Maybe a bit harsh but countless giveaways, included one that led to the penalty kick. Could not find any balls forward at all and played countless balls back to Cameron and Brooks.  Again showed his lack of ability to be accurate from distance. Bradley simply has to be better if the US have any chance going forward in the tournament.

Jermaine Jones, 4.5 (off 66') - Struggled with the high pressure at times. Could not find any link up play going forward or space to work. Little impact in this game unfortunately for the veteran.

Gyasi Zardes, 5 - Showed his pace early on but Wood could not find space with a nice forward ball. Completely quiet in the second half. Needs to be consistently aggressive and show against better international competition. Did not find a chance for a single shot on goal.

Clint Dempsey, 6 - Responsible for the only shots on goal and one shot from distance that just missed the post. Solid shot from the free kick that forced Ospina to make a diving stop. showed energy but saw no service in the box during the run of play.

Bobby Wood, 4.5 (off 66') - Showed energy in the opening minutes of the game but completely faded before being subbed off.

Substitutes:

Darlington Nagbe, 5 (on 66') - Could not find the magic he showed the previous two games. Pressured offensively and defensively but did not prove the be the factor that changed the game after coming on for Jones.

Christian Pulisic, 5 (on 66') - Did not see much of the ball during his time and when he did he could not find any space to work.

Graham Zusi, 5 (on 86') - More a cameo for Zusi but made no impace after coming on late.

The US Men's National Team comfortably defeated Bolivia 4-0 in the last warm-up before the 2016 Copa America. Gyasi Zardes scored two to lead the Americans, who also saw goals from John Brooks and Christian Pulisic. 

At just 17 years of age, Christian Pulisic became the youngest goal scorer in USMNT history.  

USMNT Player Ratings (out of 10):

Brad Guzan, 7 - Not challenged often by Bolivia, but showed well the couple times called upon and had some better than average outlet balls.

Michael Orozco, 6 (off 45') - Got the starting nod at RB, Orozco was mostly quiet down the right flank and subbed off at halftime for Yedlin.

Geoff Cameron, 8 - Solid and steady defensive presence. Cameron gives the back line a sense of calm when healthy.

John Brooks, 7 - Shaky giveaway early but settled down defensively. Scored on a nice cross from Bedoya on a quick Bradley restart. Brooks showed energy and vision on the play as most of the players on both teams were standing around watching. Saw a lot of the ball especially in the first half.

Matt Besler, 6 (off 45') - Curiously started at LB, got forward and put some crosses into the box. Caught on one counter but showed some nifty footwork for a normal CB.

Jermaine Jones, 7 - For 34 years old, Jones was all over the field, especially in the second half. Jones has showed nicely in the past friendlies and seems to be in good form heading into Copa. Nice takeaway to set up the fourth USA goal scored by Pulisic.

Michael Bradley, 8.5 (off 73') - Has looked solid in the No. 6 role, much more so than as the No. 10 showcased in the Wold Cup. Heads up quick restart to Bedoya set up the second USA goal by Brooks. Calming presence in the mid. Bolivia gave him time to work and he did well.

Alejandro Bedoya 8.5 (off 64') - Brilliant pass to Zardes for the opener and heads up play to make the run and cut back to Brooks for the second goal.

Gyasi Zardes, 7.5 (off 64') - Showed pace on his first goal and position in order to tap in the second. Great one touch finishing. Nice diagonal runs. First touch let him down a couple times which is pretty much cut and paste from every match but US will take that with a Zardes brace everyday.

Clint Dempsey, 6 (off 73') - No real scoring chances from Dempsey. Took one long volley but put it directly at the keeper. Young USMNT speed and athleticism have really overshadowed Dempsey in the past friendlies.

Bobby Wood, 7.5 - All he needed was to find the back of the net for a complete game. Wood showed pace, aggressiveness and vision in this game and set up Zardes perfectly for the third US goal.

Substitutes:

DeAndre Yedlin, 6 (on 45') - Showed his usual pace but did not find the final ball. Needs to continue to work on his crossing accuracy.

Fabian Johnson, 6 (on 45') - Replaced Besler at LB, caught on a counter attack on a late Bolivian chance but overall decent but nothing spectacular from Johnson.

Christian Pulisic, 9 (on 64') - Slight bump because he made history becoming the youngest USMNT goal scorer in history. Plays with no fear and willingness to challenge defenders which the USMNT does not often show. Took his goal calmly and one timed it into the net.

Darlington Nagbe, 7.5 (on 64') - Perfect setup to Pulisic for his goal. Showed presence going forward and defensively.

Graham Zusi, 6.5 (on 73') - Unlucky to not have earned an assist on a pinpoint cross to Wondo late. Up and down short stint.

Chris Wondolowski, 5 (on ??') - Set up perfectly by Zusi and left wide open but put the one timer directly at the Bolivian keeper from 6 yards out. USMNT fans have nightmare watching Wondo not score from 6 yards out.

The US Men's National Team faced Puerto Rico for the first time in history and the USMNT defeated the 152 ranked team in the world 3-1. Tim Ream, Bobby Wood, and Paul Arriola scored to grab the win for the US.

As has become and unfortunate custom with the USMNT gave the ball away in the final third which lead to the goal over the outstretched had of Brad Guzan. The US defense was also lucky to not concede a second early in the second half as a wide open Puerto Rican attacker but a ball just wide of the net. The US controlled possession for much of the game but really lacked any sort of creativity in the final third, 

USMNT Player Ratings (out of 10)
Brad Guzan, 6 (off 45') - The newly announced full-time USMNT starting keeperdid not have much work to do in the first half. Not much he could do on the lone Puerto Rico goal.

Tim Ream, 6.5 (off 63') - Congratulations on scoring his first goal on any level since 2010. Took the goal very nicely finishing up the rebound off a long Morales shot. Showed a lot of hustle but had some poor giveaways.

John Brooks, 5 (off 45') - Poor givaway and then did not close out on the Puerto Rico goal. Not a great half for Brooks

Michael Orozco, 5 - Should have pressured the ball on the lone goal and out of position on what should have been the second goal. Not horrible but continually shows weaknesses that are exploited against better teams.

DeAndre Yeldin, 7 - He was all over the field and very active in the attacking half, just could not find the final ball. 

Alejandro Bedoya, 7.5 (off 63') - Nice run and awareness and cross to Arriola for the easy finish.

Danny Williams, 6.5 - Showed a lot of grit and toughness in the midfield. Not much a challenge against this particular foe.

Alfredo Morales, 5.5 - Not afraid to shoot from distance, first crack led to the Ream goal. Got cuahgt napping on what should have been the second Puerto Rico goal. Did not look entirely comfortable.

Perry Kitchen, 5.5 (off 45') - Quiet half of work, nothing stood out. Some careless giveaways some decent defensive work.

Bobby Wood, 6 - Nice run and finish for the second goal. Too quiet at other times during the match.

Arriola, 6 - A goal and an assist in your first cap is pretty good right? Struggled at times however. Played through to Wood for the goal. Watching the game several times. But not too bad for the 21 year old.

Substitutes:
Tim Howard, 7 (on 45') - Solid diving stop while not allowing any rebound. Solid half for Howard.

Matt Miazga, 6.5 (on 45') - Really was not tested at all.

Stuart Hyndman, 6 (on 45') - Slipped or may have had a goal. Not bad for the youngster.

Julian Green, 6.5 (on 63') - Really active stint and had a few cracks from deep but could not find the back of the net. Could have done better on a few opportunities.

Eric Lichaj, 7 (on 63') -  What a run from our own defensive half doing it all by himself and almost score. Do not see that creativity from the mids and forwards on this team. Should have been included in the Copa roster.

​

Energy. The US Men's National Team finally showed some energy in their dominating 4-0 win over Guatemala. The win saves the USMNT from essentially being mathematically eliminated from World Cup contention. After a complete lackluster performance just four days prior in Guatemala, the US team dominated the game from beginning to end.

Clint Dempsey opened the scoring in the 12th minute when a long ball from Cameron went off a streaking Zardes shoulder and fell perfectly to Dempsey who hammered it home. Geoff Cameron headed home the second goal in the 35th minute on a Michael Bradley free kick. Last minute call-up Graham Zusi gave the US a third goal just after half in the 46th minute and Jozy Altidore added one for good measure in the 89th minute to give the US the 4-0 win.

Much happier grading this game, pretty solid scores all around.

USMNT Player Ratings (out of 10): 

Brad Guzan, 8 - Not much to go on as he was not called into action much all night. Made one diving save, securing the ball to not allow a rebound and knocked the ball away on a potentially dangerous cross.

DeAndre Yedlin, 7.5 - Yedlin showed off his speed all night offensively and defensively. Seemed comfortable at right back. Set Zardes free on the lead up to the third goal.

Steve Birnbaum, 7 - Did not have much action but was solid when called upon.

Geoff Cameron, 9 - Great header for the second goal and was a rock in the backline. Knocked away a dangerous cross near the mouth of the goal but mainly was just what the US desperately needed which is stability at the back.

Edgar Castillo, 6 - Shaky at times on the ball and on defense but did disrupt a few counter attacks.

Kyle Beckerman, 8 - The RSL mid was like a fly that will not go away. Beckerman was all over the place. Sure he missed a tackle or two but overall a really solid game.

Michael Bradley, 7 - Jekyll and Hyde performances continue for the captain. Much better for Bradley. Great free kick to set up the second goal by Cameron. The negative has to be his finishing though, just not good enough at all. Still shacking my head on a chip shot from outside the 18 with the keeper still inside the 6 yard box.

Graham Zusi, 7 (off 81) - His free kick expertise was not on target for the night but provided the team with a lot of energy and effort. Nice finish on the loose ball in the box. 

Gyasi Zardes, 5.5 (off 71) - Technically had two assists on the night. One was off the shoulder and one was a misdribble off his own but that dropped to Zusi. Provides energy and speed but his first touch is atrocious. At one point a simple trap turned into a 10 yard back pass to a Guatemalan attacker to start a counter.

Clint Dempsey, 8 - Much better from Dempsey. Took the first goal really well and was dangerous all night.

​Bobby Wood, 6.5 (off 66) - Tried hard all night but points deducted for not being able to finish at point blank range on a lob pass from Bradley. Still not sure what happened.

Substitutes:

Jozy Altidore, 7 (on 66) - Quiet night except for his one shot which turned into the fourth US goal.

Ethan Finlay, 7 (on 71) - Lively action and was robbed of a goal by a faulty offsides call.

Christian Pulisic, 6.5 (on 81) - The 17 year old Borussia Dortmund wing made his USMNT team debut. Not a bad 10 minutes for the teenager. Showed aggressiveness and no fear to take on defenders.

Pathetic. Really the only word for describing a 2-0 defeat in a crucial World Cup Qualifying Match against a team you have not lost to in 21 years. Guatemala scored twice in the first 15 minutes to take the lead and never looked back. Horrible defending from the USMNT and once again extremely questionable lineup and decisions from the coach Jurgen Klinsmann as the US drop to third in their World Cup Qualifying group.

Not fun rating such a horrid performance but here's the player ratings:

USMNT Player Ratings (out of 10):

Tim Howard, 4 - Welcome back Tim. Ok, done with the positives, should not let a ball under his legs on the 2nd goal, understand it was a breakaway but that is a no-no for keepers. Little he could do on the first goal as he stretch but could not reach the ball off Diskerud's butt (more on that soon)

Geoff Cameron, 5.5 - Got the start at RB, gave the ball away in the first half too many times. Moved to CB in the second and performed better.

Omar Gonzalez, 4 (off 66') - Allowed Ruiz to run free and was just poor overall. Probably not as bad as Orozco but that is like comparing a knee replacement to a colonoscopy.

Michael Orozco, 3 (off 59') - What exactly were you doing out there Orozco? Should probably put some blame on Klinsmann for just putting you there but not a CB type performance in a WCQ. I guess it was better in the second half until he was subbed. 

Edgar Castillo, 5 - Not a horrible performance from Castillo but nothing completely stood out.

DeAndre Yedlin, 4.5 - Started at wing and moved to RB at half. Tried to use his speed but not much going for him going forward besides one cut back cross that could not be finished.

Michael Bradley, 2 - Captain of a poor performance. Shooting could not hit the broad side of a barn. I think he was aiming for the 50th row in the stands. Jekyll and Hyde performances once again.

Mix Diskerud, 1 (off 45') - Docking points because he was manhandled like a rag doll on the first goal that literally came off his butt as he was thrown to the ground off the corner. USMNT version of the Mark Sanchez butt fumble. When is the last time he played CM for the USMNT with Bradley? Huh?

Alejandro Bedoya, 5 - Should have scored twice, Nice runs and effort but poor finishing. Gave the ball away a few times in the attacking half to kill any chance. Like the effort he put in but just not good enough.

Clint Dempsey, 4 - Docking points because he should have finished multiple times but either a step slow or put it right at the keeper. Has to find the back of the net. Really created or was at the end of almost every chance but US needed a goal and he did not get it done.

Bobby Wood, 4 - Only real chance was a sliding effort he just missed. Nicely set up Dempsey for a shot on goal but again, US needed a goal and he could not find the net.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann, -10 - I never grade the coach but just horrible. I could not resist. He once again spun the wheel of chance to choose a back line that has never played together. What in the world are you thinking?!?!?!

Substitutes:

Darlington Nagbe, 5 (on 45') - Did ok, but nothing special.

Gyasi Zardes, 3 (on 59') - First touch is atrocious. Got caught offsides when there was no reason to be that could have been a great chance. Could not get crosses off when they needed to be.

​Jozy Altidore, 5 (on 63') - Had a great chance late but could not put it pas the keepers leg. Would have been great to pull one back in the 83' but was not meant to be.

The USMNT U-23 took on Colombia's U-23 in the first leg of a home-and-away playoff to see who will have the opportunity to play in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The game was played in Barranquilla, Colombia in over 100 degree temperature.

Luis Gil opened the scoring in the 5th minute on a goal from a cut back cross by Mario Rodriguez. Gil almost made it 2-0 off a deflected Morris cross but the ball wide. Columbia tied it up 1-1 on a Penalty Kick in the 68th minute. The game ended 1-1 with the US really holding on to earn the draw and secure the crucial away goal.

The second leg of the playoff will be held Tuesday, March 29 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas 9:30 PM ET and will air on ESPN 2.

Difficult game to grade for many members because the US had less than 25 percent possession. Colombia really dominated much of the game. The US defense was under constant attack as the team settled deep and went for occasional counters when they could hold onto possession.

US U-23 Player Ratings (out of 10)

Ethan Horvath, 7 (off 45') - Almost got caught coming out too far on a cross but showed well coming out of goal to win a header which lead to an injury and being subbed off before half.

Kellyn Acosta, 5 - Caught ball watching and allow dangerous shot early on, gave up penalty trying to recover from a Miazga miss. Acosta was under constant pressure and handled himself decently but made several mistakes which almost cost the US more than just one goal.

Matt Miazga, 5 - Made a silly mistake by misplaying ball leading to penalty trying to volley the ball over his head.

Tim Parker, 7.5 - Strong challenges and handled himself well. Strong performance by the Whitecaps defender.

Eric Miller, 6 - Strong defensively but some poor dribbling and clearances while on the ball deducted points.

Matt Polster, 5 - His name really never came up during the game which is not a good thing for a midfielder where the US had almost zero possession. Made a nice run in the box late but not really sure what else.

Wil Trapp, 5 - Similar to Polster, did not help with possession at all and was dropped deep in defense for the entire game.

Emerson Hyndman, 6 - Gave up a stupid foul to allow free kick in dangerous area early on but overall thought he was the best midfielder on the field for the US. Had some crucial wins on the ball and held possession. Not great but the best of the bad bunch by far.

Luis Gil, 6 (off 66') - Gave the US the lead by scoring the opening goal on a nice run to finish a Rodriguez cross. He did miss  a golden opportunity to put US up 2 on a run by Morris. Gave away the ball time and time again in the midfield. 

Mario Rodriguez, 6 (off 72') - Nice hustle and cutback assist on the opening goal. Other than that he was pretty silent having to help out defensively.

Jordan Morris, 6.5 - Tried hard throughout the game, made a nice cross that almost led to a 2-0 lead and then hit a heck of a shot off the outside of his right foot from outside the 18 that unfortunately hit the bar. Did not see much of the ball and can work on his hold up play but good game from the new Seattle Sounder overall.

Substitutes:

Cody Cropper, 7 (on 45') - Gave up a PK goal, but other than that was solid in goal and showed nicely on a cross.

Fatai Alashe, 5 (on 66') - Came on for Gil and immediately gave the ball away in the midfield to continue the possession struggle.

Kiesewetter, 5.5  (on 72') - Tried to make his classic runs up the sideline but overall not much impact on the game after coming on for Rodriguez.