by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

It started fairly well, but the U.S. National Team eventually felt the second half sting of Denmark to drop a 3-1 friendly decision on Wednesday. Like most November evenings in Aarhus, the visitors' performance got cold and smelled a lot like herring.

I almost had trouble blaming the players for much of it because the player selection was so unnerving. We had tired/out-of-form guys starting, one non-regular center back with a proper look (the same one who had a proper look on the weekend, no less), players ignored, and of course, an insistence on cramming ill-fitting parts into what is apparently the only system we are interested in using.

The starters made a decent, albeit vanilla go of it for about 48 minutes before leaking a quick trio of galling goals. Frankly, I think much of the opportunity of this two-match swing was lost before it ever had a chance. If teams really take on the personality of the coach, then it's seems the players are confused. I know I am.

A quick reminder: these ratings are based on an average score of "6".

U.S. PLAYER RATINGS

Brad Guzan (6) - He could have done better on the Denmark equalizer, but he's not to blame for the meltdown. The rest of Guzan's night was either good or out of his control.

Frankie Hejduk (4) - One might wonder why he was even playing... in fact, thousands may. At 35 and one week removed from the MLS season, one could almost forgive Hejduk for not being at his sharpest. That forgiveness certainly doesn't also apply to three wild card-worthy challenges and several instances of getting caught upfield.

Jonathan Spector (4.5) - Everything was fine until the defensive collapse, much of which can be laid at Spector's feet. He had a very nice first half, including a big block, and then... oh boy, where do I start? Getting beat over the top on the equalizer was extremely bad. It didn't get better.

Carlos Bocanegra (5) - Though the least culpable backliner, Captain 'Los did make a couple of crucial mistakes on Denmark goals. Also caught napping on the equalizer, Bocanegra then contributed to allowing the third.

Jonathan Bornstein (4.5) - As with Saturday, the Chivas USA man started well. This time, the eventual mistakes weren't quite as grievous. Bornstein still punts it away far too often and still should in no way be considered "the starter" at this position.

Michael Bradley (5) - It was a bit an off night, but his partner did seem to be struck by a wanderlust.

Ricardo Clark (4.5) - I'll say this much: he was active. The problem is, he wasn't efficiently active. A few times, I thought he may be wandering off to buy a soda. Clark definitely helped created danger in both directions, but only end product at one end.

Stuart Holden (5.5) - It really wasn't a bad night for Holden, but his attack play lacked some edge. I'd like his restarts a lot more if he could get them a little higher because they have action on 'em.

Benny Feilhaber (6) - Boy, you could tell he was up for this one from the go. During the first half, Feilhaber was everywhere, always in the thick of the fight. When he began to blend into the woodwork early in the second frame, he tried to force things too much and made errors.

Jeff Cunningham (6) - After looking jittery in the opening phase, Cunningham grew much more comfortable right about the time Denmark coughed up his big scoring chance - and he buried it. The goal focused his efforts and he looked very dangerous until the U.S. wheels came off.

Josmer Altidore (4.5) - It was a frustrating night for Jozy, who was hampered early by Cunningham's rough patch and hampered the rest of the night by Denmark's defense.

Coach Bob Bradley (3) - Well, let's see... where to begin? How about running Bornstein (with a just ended season) all 180 minutes of left back in this two-game set, with the guy struggling and two other players available at the position? How about 90 minutes of Frankie Hejduk (with a just ended season) at right back instead of sliding Spector over to give Conrad or Goodson a fair run-out? How about the fact that they came out for the second half with a lead, then fell apart completely in eight minutes? Yeah, that's a good one there. I'll start with that.

Subs:

Eddie Johnson (5) - I'd be hard pressed to testify that I noticed him last night.

Edgar Castillo (5.5) - See Eddie Johnson. Although, in this case, it just seemed like the play never came his way much out there.

Robbie Rogers (6.5) - This was another encouraging short shift. Now, let's see it when he goes 90.

Clarence Goodson (7) - Saved a sure goal with an interception and nearly scored one with a strong header hit between (if not also above) a pair of tight markers. The Danish style is right up his alley, he should have started this one.

Jimmy Conrad (6.5) - Erm... the Danish style is right up his alley, he should have started this one. At one point, he smoothly worked the USMNT out of trouble at the back - one with a great pass and one on the dribble.

Dax McCarty (5) - Not much to do with a little garbage time.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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