USA 4, Grenada 0: A Look Back

 

                                                                             Photo by ISIphotos.com

So what exactly did we learn from the U.S. men's national team's 4-0 drubbing of Grenada on Saturday?

While the level of competition ultimately proved to low, there was still plenty to learn from the U.S. team's first Gold Cup match. Grenada offered very little resistance, either with its toothless attack or slow-footed defense, but that doesn't mean we can't come away impressed with the performances of some Americans who still had to play well in front of U.S. coach Bob Bradley and the more than 15,000 who spent their July 4th at Qwest Field.

Robbie Rogers and Stuart Holden came away the winners of the "Players who looked like they could have played at Confederations Cup" competition, while Freddy Adu drew more scrutiny than every other player on the field. He showed some flashes, and some rust, but the fact remains that he is a skilled, yet flawed player who is still developing and still has a bright future, though he is some ways away from being the player some of his biggest supporters already think he is.

Here are the SBI Player Grades for Saturday's match:

USA Player Grades vs. Grenada

5=Average

Troy Perkins (6)- Could almost have sat in a lawn chair for 90 minutes except for the one clutch save he did have to make.  Hopefully he gets at least one or two more starts this tournament to show what he can do.

Steve Cherundolo (6) - Not challenged defensively even once on the day, but showed off his quickness and crossing ability at times. Still has a way to go to regain his old form.

Clarence Goodson (6) - Another defender who faced few serious challenges on the day. Had one blunder that nearly proved costly, but was generally steady, though not as impressive as Marshall.

Chad Marshall (7) - His beautiful diagonal ball to Heath Pearce on Charlie Davies' goal is the type of pass you don't see enough of from American centerbacks. A rock all day.

Heath Pearce (6) - Looked shaky very early on, but quickly composed himself and looked solid throughout, with his service on Davies' goal a welcome sign that maybe he is ready to climb back to respectability.

Stuart Holden (7) - Tireless worker and sharp passer, he did well to get into position for his header goal and he enjoyed one of the better first-cap performances in recent memory.

Logan Pause (6.5) - His beautiful long pass to spring Rogers for his goal was a thing of beauty, and he kept the ball moving in midfield.

Kyle Beckerman (6) - Tried getting forward at times to little effect, but he did well to break up countless Grenada possessions. Moved the ball around, but lacked some creativity and passing vision.

Robbie Rogers (8) - Ran at defenders, crossed well and even finished well. He figured out pretty early on that he was too fast for Grenada and played accordingly. It will be interesting to see if he can keep it going against stronger competition.

Freddy Adu (6.5) - Showed some rust but had a typical Adu game, with some good flashes and some moments where he starts trying unsuccessful tricks and fancy passes. Finished off the first goal and nearly found a second with an audacious chip that hit the crossbar.

Charlie Davies (6) - Was clearly pressing throughout the entire match. Adu isn't the ideal partner for Davies' skill set, but the Hammarby striker did well to deliver a classy finish on the fourth goal. He could probably use a new goal celebration though.

Brad Evans (5.5) - A new right back prospect? Evans delivered the best ball from the right flank of the day, giving us a glimpse of what Bob Bradley had in mind with this position change.

Michael Parkhurst (5)- Had nothing to do.

Davy Arnaud (5)- Showed some hustle, but skill was lacking a bit and could have done better with his one quality chance.

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While Rogers was the star, and Holden was also quality, Adu was garnering much of the talk after the game. If anything was clear about Adu's performance it was that his rustiness (due to a lack of playing time this calendar year) is clearly a factor in why he didn't get any minutes at the Confederations Cup. On top of him still being a developing player, he is also out of form due to not seeing time during his Monaco loan spell. He isn't a player who can get by without being sharp, like a Jozy Altidore, who's physical gift and finishing ability always make him a threat whether he's playing regularly or not. I'm sure some would argue that a rusty Adu would still have provided more than an out-of-form Sacha Kljestan in South Africa, but I really don't think playing in the Confederations Cup would have done Adu any justice, not given his lack of sharpness.

A much tougher test awaits on Wednesday against Honduras and while Bob Bradley is likely to plug in several new starters, the match should offer us a better opportunity to see what players like Rogers, Holden and Adu can do.

What did you think of Saturday's performance? Who impressed you?