United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) managed to reserve its spot in the 2022 World Cup despite losing to Costa Rica 2-0. The Yanks moved forward due to finishing in the third-place at the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Octagonal. Following the match with Costa Rica, USMNT player ratings have been published. Costa Rica finished in the 4th spot with the same point as the USA but will be sent to the playoffs due to goal difference.
This is USMNT’s first World Cup since 2014 in Brazil. It missed out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia after losing to Trinidad and Tobago in qualifying rounds. US’ all-time World Cup Qualifying record is now 0 wins, 10 loses, and 1 draw.
USMNT Player Ratings
Here’s what USMNT player ratings look like after the last qualifying match with Costa Rica:
Goalkeeper: Zack Steffen
4.0 – Manchester City goalkeeper was busy all night but could not keep the strikes from reaching the back of the net. He was slow with his reflexes and should have been able to stop the shots, considering his usual outings. He let the first goal in with a slow touch. Steffen also made a terrible mistake on the second goal by failing to claim a routine cross.
Right Back: DeAndre Yedlin
5.0 – The Inter Miami defender was struggling to put up with a solid defensive lineup. He made a few decent runs up and down the right flank before getting substituted at the 61st minute. He came up with 5 tackles, 2 interceptions and won 9 out of 10 one-on-one challenges.
Center Back: Walker Zimmerman
5.5 – The Nashville defender kept an excellent possession in the game but failed to stop Costa Rican goals. On the first goal, he was beaten in the air by Juan Pablo Vargas, and on the second, he was divided between maintaining an off-side trap and covering for an out-of-position goalkeeper.
Center Back: Miles Robinson
6.0 – Atlanta United fullback tested Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas multiple times but failed to score. However, he kept himself steady and fast than most Americans on the field.
Left Back: Antonee Robinson
5.5 – Fulham’s Jedi also made a few runs towards the goal from the left flank but couldn’t connect. His crosses did not turn out the way they usually do.
Defensive Midfielder: Tyler Adams
5.0 – The RB Leipzig playmaker read the game pretty well but was not 100% due to taking a blow early in the match. He was substituted at halftime.
Center Midfielder: Yunus Musah
6.0 – Valencia’s young gun continued to evolve spectacularly by shielding the ball well and knowing when to make his runs. He became even more dominant in the second half, pushing for his team to score, but it wasn’t USA’s night.
Center Midfielder: Kellyn Acosta
5.0 – Los Angeles midfielder also struggled to find any opening in Costa Rican defence. Moreover, he gave disappointing results with his set-pieces, which were known to be his strongest suit.
Left Winger: Christian Pulisic
6.0 – Chelsea’s dangerous attacker had a quiet first half but tried to pull off something in the second. He had a few decent interchanges around the box but failed to get in. He got pounded by Costa Rican defence but received substitution later in the game at the 83rd minute, posing further risk to his safety.
Right Winger: Timothy Weah
5.5 – The Lille winger led a promising attack in the first half but couldn’t capitalize on chances. He worked hard in defence but still let a cross getaway for the second goal. He got substituted at the 61st minute.
Center Forward: Ricardo Pepi
5.0 – The Augsburg striker flew three shots on goal, which Navas stopped with ease. Overall, he had a decent outing but lacked the service from his teammates at the back. He was also substituted along with Weah.
Substitutes
Midfielder: Luca de la Torre
6.5 – Replacing Adams at halftime, the Heracles midfielder brought more aggressiveness to the game. He consistently strived to move the ball forward, becoming the most contributing player for the USA. He completed 92% of his passes on the field.
Defender: Shaquell Moore
5.0 – Moore replaced Yedlin with 30 minutes to go, but things looked the same at the back.
Forward: Jesus Ferreira
4.0 – The Dallas forward came in place of Pepi in the last 30 minutes but only touched the ball 4 times.
Midfielder: Giovanni Reyna
5.5 – Dortmund playmaker was slightly able to lift the attack in the last 30 minutes by creating some chances.
Forward: Jordan Morris
N/A – The replacement for Pulisic only had 6 minutes to go, and he was practically invisible on the field.
