USMNT vs Canada: Player Ratings- Moore was the difference
By Nathan Dunn
The USMNT defeated Canada by a score of 1-0 in the Group B finale of the Concacaf Gold Cup in front of a sold-out Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Here are the player ratings from Sunday’s win.
The United States Men’s National Team came out with their third group stage win of the tournament as Shaq Moore’s goal 20 seconds in proved to be the difference.
It was by no means beautiful, but a young USMNT found a way to win against decent opposition. Things got messy for the USMNT as they were even outplayed for good portions of the game. The second shutout in three games allowed the U.S. to escape with all three points.
The USMNT will now set up camp in Texas ahead of their quarterfinal matchup against either Jamaica or Costa Rica next Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Here are the player ratings from Sunday’s win.
Starting XI
Matt Turner – 7
Didn’t have much action once again, but looked comfortable when called upon. A very good group stage showing to give the defense some good confidence.
Sam Vines – 7
Quietly put together a very good performance.
Miles Robinson – 8
Held the defense together against a tough Canadian side. Even when the midfield was sloppy, the defense stayed firm.
Walker Zimmerman – 6
Unfortunate to come off injured after 15 minutes. Was decent until that point.
James Sands – 8
Really held the defense down alongside Miles Robinson.
Shaq Moore – 7
Got a goal 20 seconds in. Did well to drift up the field so early and crash the far post. A goal well deserved after a very good group stage showing.
Kellyn Acosta – 6
Wasn’t great, but was good enough. Did come out of the gates flying and forced the ball out to Lletget for the hockey assist.
Gianluca Busio – 5
Not his best game. Looked tired at times. Couldn’t get a hold in the midfield. His excuse will be lack of sleep with so much transfer talk.
Sebastian Lletget – 7
Got the assist on the goal. Good awareness to know that he had to hit the ball on his first touch. Was composed and controlled throughout the game.
Gyasi Zardes – 5
He tried, but it just wasn’t meant to be. It sounds good to have the two start together, but it just didn’t work out. Need to go back to one forward. As a veteran presence, he needed to do more to help his team out.
Daryl Dike – 6
Was pretty good overall. Same as Zardes, the two forwards were misused and need to be scratched for the rest of the tournament.
Substitutions
Donovan Pines – 7
Came in and did enough to keep the ship steady. That’s all you could ask of Pines coming on for an injured Walker Zimmerman after just 15 minutes. Did have one horrendous back pass that nearly led to a Canada equalizer.
Reggie Cannon – 6
Good to see him back after missing the first two games through injury. Didn’t have the greatest impact, but he was solid.
Jackson Yueill – 5
Had a chance to come in and make a difference in the midfield, but he failed to do so. A big chance missed for him after Busio’s disappointing performance.
Cristian Roldan – 5
Allowed himself to get turned inside out defending against Tajon Buchanan, one of Canada’s closest shots. Was also a bit slow, stopping any forward progression the US had.
Matthew Hoppe – 6
Had a couple of moments where he looked like he was close to making a big play, but his decision-making got in the way of that big play.
Follow Nathan Dunn of MLS Multiplex on Twitter @8ndunn