US 2- Honduras 0: Post Game Wrap-up

This time Bob Bradley got it right. After 64 minutes of frustrating futility, it was two Confederations Cup veterans who made the difference in a match against a stingy Honduran side. Benny Feilhaber and Charlie Davies replaced an outmatched Logan Pause and rusty Freddy Adu and made the difference. It was Feilhaber who started the beautiful touch and move play, which eventually found its way to Charlie Davies who then laid it off perfectly to an on running Santino Quaranta who blasted it home, which sent the fans of the hometown man into a riot. Four minutes later Steve Cherundolo was rewarded for his attacking prowess when his cross found the head/shoulder of Brian Ching who knocked it in to the net for the game sealer. The US attack had been thwarted all night long as the Ching and Adu tandem that started just couldn't find the net, though both had two decent opportunities each prior to the subs. Robbie Rogers looked again to be the player that he was against Grenada and had a good first half, but was slowed in the second and faded as the game went on. Quaranta's is a story of its own, in dealing with his past experiences, he couldn't possibly imagine that it would lead him to scoring his first goal with the National team in front of his home town fans, and it was all he could do to hold back his emotions. Here are my player ratings for the match:

Troy Perkins (7)- Had more to do than the other night and made himself big on Martinez's breakaway, and kept his second consecutive clean sheet in this tournament.

Steve Cherundolo (7.5)- Still seemed a tad rusty from the lay off due to injury, but thwarted attack after attack from the Honduran wingers. His cross to Ching for the goal was a thing of beauty.

Chad Marshall (8)- Break-out game for Marshall as he held Carlos Costly to a mediocre game all night long and was dominant in the air, he is playing himself into a battle with Danny Califf for fourth on the CB pecking order.

Michael Parkhurst (7)- A quiet game for Parkhurst, which is exactly what you want from a defender, stopped attacks with his positioning prowess and deceptive quickness.

Heath Pearce (6.5)- Playing himself back into the squad and got forward all night which was nice to see. Turned the ball over a few to many times though.

Santino Quaranta (7)- Obviously starting as the home town hero, but ended up being a revelation and brought a different, Clint Dempsey-esque type role onto the field, and his defensive work was a sight for sore eyes. His goal was well deserved and well earned.

Logan Pause (5.5)- Looked behind all game long and couldn't really adapt to Honduras' speed through the midfield, but did enough to help keep them off the board until relieved by Feilhaber.

Kyle Beckerman (7)- Played a smart game all night long and distributed well from the center. He and Feilhaber seemed to have a keen understanding of each other.

Robbie Rogers (6.5)- A shadow of himself from the Grenada match, Honduras closed his space quicker and was more physical in their tackles. Had some dangerous moments in the first half but faded in the second half.

Freddy Adu (5)- This is what not playing consistently can and will do to a players game, both mentally and physically. Had a decent couple of chances but was uncharacteristically unnerved on the ball and turned it over a lot. He has left the squad to attend preseason workouts with Benfica, hopefully he can turn this around, we all know what he is capable of.

Brian Ching (6.5)- Still perhaps a bit slow from injury but worked hard and turned in a typical Ching performance, and the goal was his reward for that.

Benny Feilhaber (8)- Pure class once he entered the game and his touch and vision immediately had Honduras on their heels. His work during the first goal was magic.

Charlie Davies (7)- Once he entered his hustle and determination nearly forced a mistake from the Honduran goalkeeper and played the perfect lay off pass to Quaranta for the first goal.

Kenny Cooper (6.5)- In a ten minute cameo the 6'4" striker had four good looks on goal, should get a longer look against Haiti as the US can afford to rest its key players.

For anyone who missed it, here are the highlights of the match: