USMNT vs Canada player ratings from 1 to 10

The U.S. men’s national team began the post-Gregg Berhalter era in much the same way they ended it: outclassed by an opponent who dreaded a challenge the Yanks ignored.

Friendly? Yes, of course, throw in an asterisk. Decent? Far from it.

( MORE: Recap, video highlights of USMNT 1-2 Canada )

Fortunately, interim boss Mikey Varas had had enough around the hour mark and his substitutes changed the game. Canada were fortunate to hold on to their second ever men’s victory on American soil when Ricardo Pepi was denied by Maxime Crepeau in the closing stages.

How did the individual players perform in Canada, who play New Zealand on Tuesday and impress the likely new coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is watching from abroad?

USMNT vs Canada player ratings from 1 to 10

Patrick Schulte: 8 — Wouldn’t stop either of Canada’s goals, and made some great saves. Quietly great with the ball at his feet — 36 of 37 passes — and that may keep him in the spot for Matt Turner.

Kristoffer Lund: 6.5 — Of all the absences, Antonee Robinson’s was the least felt and that’s a compliment to Lund, not a chance to become a “Jedi”. Four out of four in his duels and constantly stuck in challenges.

Tim Ream: 4 — The new Charlotte FC man had some high-end defensive plays to bring his number up after a couple of woeful giveaways led to big Canadian chances. Eight clearances and four recoveries.

Chris Richards: 5.5 — The Crystal Palace player had 100 touches and made a few saves for his midfield (you could tell he knew that from his comments after the match).

Joe Scally: 5.5 — Strong in attack, but again a few too many off-moments in defence. Struggled with 50/50s.

Johnny Cardoso (Off 62′): 4.5 — A bad day with a sloppy one-touch giveaway deep in American territory.

Yunus Musah (Off 71′): 5.5 — Normally tidy with the ball, but couldn’t clear the ball as well as expected against Canada’s pressure.

Malik Tillman (Off 62′): 7 — Active on both sides. Tillman was good in the tackle, read the play well and played the ball forward.

Brenden Aaronson (Off 77′): 4.5 — Hardworking and aggressive as usual, but also sloppy, especially with the ball. Fotmob’s figures show that he has won three possessions and won two of seven duels, while only touching the ball 26 times. The midfield play didn’t help him, but it wasn’t a sharp performance.

Christian Pulisic: 6.5 — Like Lund, energetic and busy, but the captain became a little too one-sided with the ball as frustration took over. Excellent off-ball runs and very good combination with Lund in the build-up to the lone USMNT goal.

Folarin Balogun (Off 82′): 5 — Had a really good moment early in the game that could have led to a Pulisic opener, registering two shots. Was largely without the ball and committed some frustrating fouls. Had just 22 possessions in 82 minutes.

Substitutes

Aidan Morris (62′): 7 — Made barely a mistake in his half hour or so, recovering the ball five times in his short spell and assisting De la Torre’s goal with a lovely twisting dribble through traffic.

Luca de la Torre (62′): 7 — One bad giveaway, but changed the game when Morris entered the fray. First goal in a USMNT shirt.

Haji Wright (71′): 6 — Only touched six times, but Pepi was able to free the ball with another potential assist.

Cade Cowell (at 77′): 5 — Eager and athletic, but looked very much 20 years old.

Ricardo Pepi (at 82′): N/A — Could have levelled the game in the closing stages, but Crepeau was prepared. Keep grinding and you might get chances on Balogun.