The U.S. will likely feel like they let an opportunity slip through their collective grasps today, letting Wales convert a late equalizer in a game the United States mostly controlled. As with all things, there are good and bad. Let’s take a look at how our individual performers rated on a scale of 1-10, with half points used when I can’t make up my damn mind.

GK Matt Turner – 5.5

Turner certainly isn’t to blame for the draw instead of the win. You got what you’d pretty much expect from him. Solid with his hands, unsure with his feet. Was alert to tip a goal-bound header over the bar as Wales pushed for an equalizer. He also guessed rigth on Gareth Bale’s equalizing spot kick, and while a lot has to go right for a goalie to save a penalty, Turner will correctly feel like he could have blocked it. Also forced Kellyn Acosta into taking a yellow to prevent Bale from attempting a second from just inside midfield after he charged wildly out of his goal to attempt a headed clearance which… didn’t clear very far.

LB Antonee Robinson – 6.0

As he usually does, Jedi marauded relentlessly up the left wing, and as he usually does, provided piss poor delivery on the final ball into the box. He tracked back well on defense and was rarely if at all beaten by his man. Were he a better passer, he could easily have had a massive impact. As it is, he’s not, and you get what you get. A committed and solid effort with wonders of what could have been.

CB Walker Zimmerman – 3.5

One play does not in itself often define a game. Unless, of course, that one play is a reckless and unnecessary challenge from behind on a player with little to no chance of scoring that turns what should be a win into a nervy draw. Apart from this one play, in which he was lucky to avoid a yellow card as insult to injury, Zimmerman was his usual solid self. You just can’t recklessly give up penalties like that.

CB Tim Ream – 8.5

Hardly put a foot wrong all game. Astute in positioning, decisive but smart on the tackle, and accurate with his distribution, you really got to see why fans of the USMNT were clamoring for him to be selected by Gregg Berhalter. Now that he has been, and put in a sterling performance in the first game, you can expect him to be ever-present barring injury.

RB Sergino Dest – 6.0

Wasn’t as much of his usual threatening self on the right wing, and took a stupid early yellow card that could have proven disastrous to the US, he was nonetheless solid, and worked hard. Had a decent look at goal from about 22 yards early on in the game, but larruped it about 15 feet over the goal into Row Z. You know what they say about defenders and finishing…

CDM Tyler Adams – 7.5

Made a number of well-timed and important tackles, especially in the second half as Wales pressed for an equalizer. Adams is quietly skillful and a good passer, but if one can take issue with an otherwise excellent performance, he invariably elects to play the safe pass rather than attempt a through-ball onto the feet of a streaking attacker.

CM Weston McKennie – 5.0

Maybe this is harsh, but the usually dynamic McKennie had little impact on the game. Granted, the set piece service from the US was abysmal as usual, so we didn’t get to see him contend for much in the air, where he’s usually outstanding. Like his teammate Dest, took a brutally unnecessary yellow card on a cynical tackle from behind early in the game that may have impacted his aggression throughout.

CM Yunus Musah – 6.0

The youngster started slowly with some brick-footed first touches, but ultimately grew into the game well enough. Ended up being in some good spots on the attack, but because nobody on this team wants to try the aggressive pass, wasn’t utilized enough. Also tracked back well on defense, and there’s always something to be said for that level of commitment, especially from a teenager.

LAM Christian Pulisic – 5.5

His brilliantly weighted through-ball to Weah led directly the US goal. It was an outstanding pass. Other than that, he spent lots of time in possession, even more time than that complaining to the referee, and delivered shitty corner kicks that are unfit for the World stage. If one play summed up why he remains one of the most frustrating figures in US soccer, it’s this one: The US was on the counter after a pressing Wales side turned it over, still up 1-0. Josh Sargent made a 100 yard run at full bore into acres of space where any pass in his vicinity gives him a great chance to salt the game away. Inexplicably, Pulisic slammed on the brakes, veered back toward his own side of the field, and played a pass back to one of the US defenders. Chance gone.

RAM Tim Weah – 8.0

His outside of the boot finish off Pulisic’s through-ball required so much more skill than any casual observer would note. It was a brilliant finish. Weah consistently caused problems for the Welsh defense, and was one of the few US players who would deliver anything resembling a useful cross. Also defended responsibly and intelligently. If you could quibble about one thing, a man with his skill needs to run at defenders in the box. He’s always a threat to draw a penalty kick, but that only works if you… well, try.

F Josh Sargent – 6.0

His early well-taken header bashed against the post, otherwise his score could be quite higher. It was also his well-played hold up that led to Pulisic’s through-ball on Weah’s goal. Unfortunately, the rest of his game came down to making runs that either his teammates didn’t feel like trying to pick him out on, or watching as a dozen set piece attempts got nowhere near him in the box. Hard to mark a guy off when he did little wrong, but you either get the ball or you don’t. He didn’t.

SUBS

Brenden Aaronson – 5.0

Came on for an exhausted McKennie and did his usual bit of running hard with no real destination in mind. Also whiffed on a wide open header – and I mean, there wasn’t anyone on the Wales defense closer to him than I am to you right now – and he missed it all together. Could have been the match winner. To give him credit, he hustled back on defense, and did his part to make sure Wales didn’t have any good looks at a potential winner.

DeAndre Yedlin – 5.0

Came on for Dest, and while I have no qualms with the rugged veteran’s inclusion in the squad, he’s not the guy you bring on when you’re still chasing a win. He did get forward and attempt a few crosses, but with an open look at goal from about 20 yards, he elected to float one far post that eluded everyone and ended up in a harmless goal kick. It’s not his fault he was the wrong guy brought in, but it is what it is.

Kellyn Acosta – 6.0

Calm and composed after he came on for Musah. Musah had been out of gas for a minute already so his arrival was overdue. Exactly as you would expect from him, he was responsible defensively, solid in possession, and made a brilliant tactical foul on Gareth Bale to prevent him from attempting a long range winner into the gaping US net, vacated by Matt Turner’s moment of madness. For some reason, he allowed Pulisic to take a late corner kick despite being by miles the best the US have in that department, and Pulisic being among the worst. Half point penalty for that, even if it wasn’t his decision. Hey, nobody said this would be fair.

Haji Wright – 6.0

Replaced the hard-working Sargent, and immediately made a nuisance of himself in the Wales box. Never got any real clean looks on goal, but it isn’t hard to see that he’s in good form for his club, and maybe should be in consideration for an earlier arrival from the subs bench than he got.

Jordan Morris – 6.0

A sentimental favorite, Morris made his World Cup maiden appearance late on, replacing Weah. Won possession a couple of times on the right wing, and tried to be positive with his play. Another for whom it could be argued his introduction came a few minutes too late. Now, on the flip side, Morris is no Gio Reyna. And when Morris was introduced as the fifth and final US sub, it cemented that Reyna, who is probably the US’ most dangerous player, wouldn’t see the field. Maybe he picked up a knock, in which case this is understandable. But barring that, it’s massive tactical blunder from Berhalter.

COACH Gregg Berhalter – 3.5

It’s not Berhalter’s fault that Zimmerman made an awful tackle to concede the penalty. It’s also not his fault that the majority of the referee’s decisions went against the US. He also started a very solid group of 11, including Tim Ream, acknowledging what we all have known for the last six months – omitting the Fulham captain would be a criminal error. But, the decision to park the bus in the second half instead of chasing a second goal was inexplicable. Waited too long to sub off tired US legs, and when he finally did, it amounted to a concession that the US would gladly take a draw. The man got this team qualified, which is more than what can be said for his predecessor, but this is the most talented team the US has ever sent to a major tournament. Failure to escape the group stages will be a fireable offense, and after today’s second half shit show, it’s hard to see this team doing enough against England to make the Iran match matter.

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