The U.S. national team beat 2-0 Azerbaijan on Tuesday night in San Francisco thank to goals late on from Mikkel Diskerud and Aron Johannsson, with head coach Jurgen Klinsmann given plenty of food for thought.
Players such as Brad Davis and Alejandro Bedoya shone, while others struggled to impose themselves against a nation ranked 85th in the world.
How will the USMNT cope in Brazil?
[MORE: Diskerud, Johannsson come through| Three things | Subs shine]
With the first warm up game out of the way, it’s time to give each player a mark out of 10 for their performance as the countdown to Brazil looms large.
Here it goes...
USMNT player ratings vs. Azerbaijan
Tim Howard - 6
Barely called upon to make a save the entire match. Howard’s throws were exemplary and he captained the USA with his usual coolness. Standard. Shutout. Enough said.
Fabian Johnson - 6
Practically anonymous in the first half. Didn’t have much defending to do at right back but in the second period he bombed on well at times and supported Bedoya. Promising signs from the Hoffenheim defender.
Geoff Cameron - 7
Composed on the ball and showcased his ability to play raking passes to get the USMNT on the front foot, Cameron did his chances of starting at CB in Brazil no harm at all with this performance. Replaced at HT by Gonzalez after a job well done.
Matt Besler - 6
Committed as ever and positionally sound, Besler is a lock to start in Brazil and he looked settled alongside Cameron in the first half. Won headers and tidied up, a few stray passes early on will have annoyed him.
DaMarcus Beasley - 6
Tested defensively and coped with the pressure in the first half, Beasley made a few brief forays forward but had little impact offensively. Replaced at half time by Chandler.
Graham Zusi - 6
Great deliveries on set pieces and showed his quality on the ball whenever he got the chance. A 45 minute run out for the Floridian who showed some good touches in midfield.
Michael Bradley - 7
Used in an advanced midfield role at the point of the diamond, Bradley made some superb runs but still looked a little uneasy in having to integrate the attack from just behind the forwards. His positioning was good and his shot was blocked on the line that led to Diskerud’s game-winner.
Jermaine Jones - 6
Wasteful in possession at times, Jones stuck to his task just in front of the back four and plugged the gaps well. Worked hard to make himself available. He wasn’t tested defensively.
Alejandro Bedoya - 6
Some pacey bursts down the left flank caused Azerbaijan problems but his final pass needs some work. Switched over to the right flank in the second half and again worked hard. Good movement.
Chris Wondolowski - 6
After his last minute inclusion in the starting lineup due to Dempsey’s injury, Wondo could’ve scored twice in the opening 15 minutes. First he headed straight at the ‘keeper from five-yards out then he had another headed from a set piece well saved. Lively but replaced after 60 minutes by Johannsson.
Jozy Altidore - 7
Good hold up play which bodes well for the World Cup where he is likely to be isolated on his own for large periods of time. Altidore still looks to be lacking in confidence but is a real handful. Won the free kick that led to the games only goal.
SUBS
Omar Gonzalez - 6
Looked a little shaky after replacing Cameron at half time with his knee taped extravagantly. Wasn’t tested much. His fitness is still a huge question mark ahead of the World Cup.
Timmy Chandler - 6
One stray shot way over the bar and another which deflected just wide, he looked solid slotting in at left back. Chandler showed he is a good option in defense and is versatile.
Brad Davis - STAR MAN 8
Should have won a penalty kick just after coming on at half time but the referee bizarrely awarded a free kick. Davis looked lively cutting in from the left flank and caused plenty of problems. Proved he has an impact off the bench after delivering both set pieces which led to goals for Diskerud and Johannsson.
DeAndre Yedlin - 6
Had 30 minutes to show what he could do and showed he was solid defensively. A few rash challenges. Lets put that down to youthful exuberance, as the Seattle youngster wasn’t afraid to get stuck in.
Aron Johannsson - 7
Struggled to impact the game for the final 30 minutes after replacing Wondolowski but then popped up to score a great header. Job done.
Mix Diskerud - 7
Replaced Bedoya late on as the USA’s final sub, Diskerud pounced to scored his third goal for the U.S. to win this game. The Rosenborg midfielder proved he has a knack of changing games off the bench.
