As one might expect, player grades are a mixed bag after the U.S. Men's National Team spared themselves some embarrassment by pulling one out of the fire against Tampa friendly guests El Salvador on Wednesday night.

by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

As one might expect, player grades are a mixed bag after the U.S. Men's National Team spared themselves some embarrassment by pulling one out of the fire against Tampa friendly guests El Salvador on Wednesday night.

Most of the players, all but one of whom play in Major League Soccer, came in hoping to cinch an invite to next week's friendly in the Netherlands, extending their World Cup 2010 dream.

Some guys spun wheels, and some grabbed the opportunity by the horns. Even in an opening frame filled with dull-edged USMNT possession, defenders Clarence Goodson and Heath Pearce were two of the big winners on the night.

The third, veteran forward Brain Ching, hopped off the bench to spark the rally by nodding home the late equalizer. Finally, in stoppage time, Sacha Kljestan capped off a strong second half by willing a winner.

U.S. Player Ratings

Nick Rimando (6) - It was nice to the see the Real Salt Lake keeper in a U.S. shirt again. He didn't have a great deal to do and can't be faulted much on the goal.

Brad Evans (4) - If Evans was an actually a proper right back, I'd freely call his first half "shocking" - but he's not, so I'll go easy. He actually raised this mark up a bit in a decent final half hour and troubled the El Salvador keeper with a restart header.

Clarence Goodson (6.5) - If there was any doubt he'd be in Amsterdam next week, it's gone now. That #4 center back slot is nearly his now. Goodson didn't react the quickest to Bornstein's switch on El Salvador's goal, but that's probably just a quibble. It was a smooth show with the pressure on high.

Jonathan Bornstein (5.5) - He got beat on his switch decision for the goal, and it's hard to get around that much in what was a 0-0 game at the time. Beyond that, Bornstein was solid, making several nice ground plays. I can only assume he will never start at center back against a top (or reasonably tall) forward line, so... congrats on the win, skipper. Like Goodson, you've just about clinched your World Cup place.

Heath Pearce (6.5) - Given the full 90 at left back in his big statement chance, Pearce ran with it. I did deduct for the wild two-footer that drew yellow, but this was exactly the display he needed to offer. Quick... when was the last time a U.S. left back bulled two defenders down the flank and zipped in a perfect assist cross with the game in the balance? Pearce may well have kept himself in for South African starts.

Kyle Beckerman (5.5) - It was not a strong beginning for the gutsy midfielder, so he settled himself into the woodwork and focused on cutting traffic through the middle. Was it enough to travel to Holland? Due to the USMNT injury situation, maybe.

Sacha Kljestan (6.5) - The first half wasn't great. It was pretty typical of recent appearances in that Kljestan would hop on his motor alright... and then do nothing with the ball. A different man came out after the break, and suddenly he was the danger lurking. To cap it off, the Chivas USA man rode those wheels to a big steal followed by a last gasp winner. Kljestan refused to lose, and that insistence might just have him in Amsterdam next week - which didn't look all that likely on Tuesday.

Robbie Rogers (5) - For all of his fine industrial work, Rogers must bring about more end product. It seems this is one cycle to soon for the Crew winger. He could well travel next week, but this was at least a partially wasted chance due to several fully wasted chances. 

Brad Davis (5.5) - If the point was to show in 45 minutes that he can serve a good assist pass, then mission accomplished - few 'Nats this side of Landon Donovan offer up more pillowy passes for shooters. His overall game falls behind competitors for South Africa, but if he still has an outside chance as bench offense if key cogs are injured.

Robbie Findley (5) - Once again, Findley made defenders exert without actually threatening them. As with Rogers, this World Cup may come one cycle too soon. He will probably go with the team to the Netherlands, but he needs to do something big in scarce minutes now.

Conor Casey (5) - Another slow starter, Casey eventually pitched in with some good build work. Far too often, he was led out wide, where his effectiveness wanes. He still has work to do to make the World Cup squad.

Coach Bob Bradley (5.5) - I suppose he had reasons for the odd backline and it earned him more form confidence in Goodson and Pearce, if nothing else. It's hard to discredit the boss for much of anything, even if the first half was an attack third dud. He certainly had them out on the field with more purpose after the break, and this time it worked.

Subs:

Brian Ching (6.5) - His shift did not start well at all, with several touches straying. One Pearce's cross found his forehead, Ching morphed instantly into a man possessed. I'd say the "true target man" race looks like a photo finish.

Eddie Gaven (6) - It may have been a one-trick pony show, but it was a good one. Gaven basically ran with the ball until someone kicked him down. He's probably not headed to World Cup, but this cameo didn't hurt his chances any.

Jeff Cunningham (4.5) - His game is not quite enough at this level, is it? As of this age, anyway.This may have been the end of his run.

Dax McCarty (-) - Just a cameo.

Geoff Cameron (-) - See directly above. I'd like to have seen more of him.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners. Questions, comments, kudos or complaints? Email him at greg@noshortcorners.com.

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