It was not a great performance by the U.S. Men’s National Team at Estadio Azteca Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 12. Landon Donovan and Charlie Davies did link up to give the Yanks a quick 1-0 lead at the nine minute mark but it would be short lived. A terrific strike by Israel Castro (one of several Mexican players who started in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final last month) level the score just 10 minutes later and second-half substitute Miguel Sabah got the game-winner for El Tri eight minutes before time.

You saw the game. You’ve probable read several recaps. You’ve maybe even seen a players rating or two (and if you’re like us, wondered what game they were watching). Now behold ASN’s take:

USMNT player ratings (scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest)

Tim Howard: 6.5
Not to blame on either goal. Made a few strong saves, especially in the second half. Could have maybe done a better job directing his defense but that assumes they were even able to hear him above the din.

Jay DeMerit: 5.5
Abandoned his man to help Landon Donovan on what turned out to be the winning goal. The ultimate breakdown on this goal occurred far earlier (see Bocanegra, Carlos) but DeMerit seemed to lack energy all game long–even more than other members of the squad in this light, smog-filled air. Did have a few nice tackles, particularly in the first half. Positioning could have been better at other times. Communication with Oguchi Onyewu needs improvement.

Carlos Bocanegra: 4
ASN was harsh on the U.S. captain when he was in central defense. As a left back, he’s even worse. The left side of the U.S. defense was a tremendous liability, especially in the second half. Too many times the Mexican wingers either dribbled in unchallenged or were left wide open (Giovanni Dos Santos had a sitter from point blank range that Howard parried). Late in the game the left side appears to have been vacated altogether. Why did Boca let Donovan track his man all the way back to the endline on the winning goal? Why didn’t he challenge Castro on Mexico’s first tally? Hopefully, Bob Bradley is asking these questions.

Oguchi Onyewu: 6.5
Once again the strongest member of the U.S. defense not named Tim Howard. He too ran out of steam in the second half but in the first put an end to several Mexican attacks. Will only get better with AC Milan.

Steve Cherundolo: 6
Pretty steady at right back and even had a few nice forays into the Mexican third. Missed a header in the opening minutes that nearly proved costly but was otherwise on the mark. Good to have him back.

Landon Donovan: 5.5
Played a strong opening 30 minutes then mostly disappeared. Most disappointing sequence came in the second half–not on the winning goal, which he had no business covering in the first place, but on a promising U.S. attack where he gave up possession just short of the Mexico penalty area. We know Donovan is capable of great things, and on the opening goal he showed us one. But when the U.S. was most in need of an offensive catalyst he was ineffectual.

Michael Bradley: 4
Invisible in the first half. Badly out of position on the winning goal. Briefly appeared to come alive in the second half, but it was too little, too late. We expect more of him at this point and with the number of other skilled players at this position, he really needs to start delivering in games of this magnitude.

Ricardo Clark: 6.5
Clark was everywhere in the first half and his presence was badly missed after Bradley subbed him out in the second. Excellent job in defensive midfield, where he was repeatedly able to disrupt Mexico’s efforts at buildup. Clark should have stayed in this match. Lived up to pre-game comments (and who knows, had he been left in the game maybe he could have made his prediction a reality).

Benny Feilhaber: 4
A weak effort. Did not do what was asked of him, which was to replace Clark’s efforts in defensive midfield. Was not able to maintain possession either. Benny appears to be either hot or cold when called upon by Bradley. Add this performance to the “cold” column.

Clint Dempsey: 5
Had a few solid efforts in the first half, then disappeared from view. Another disappointing performance from one of the U.S.’ biggest stars. We’re still waiting for him to live up to his potential with the national team.

Charlie Davies: 6
Great job on the goal but you’ve got to finish that cross from Stuart Holden. We can live with strikers checking out of games for periods when they are there to capitalize on their chances, like he did in the ninth minute. But his inability to connect on that second half header leaves a somewhat bitter taste. Still, we love his game and look forward to seeing him as the starter against El Salvador.

Jozy Altidore: 5
Was brought on to revitalize the U.S. attack. Failed to do so, largely as a result of ineffective (or complete lack of) service from the midfield. Still, would have liked to see him be more active in these situations. And the few times he did get the ball was unable to do anything with it.

Brian Ching: 3
Absolutely nowhere to be seen. In a game where U.S. attackers either faded in and out (Donovan, Davies) or were indistinguishable (Dempsey), Ching actually managed to, uh, stand out for his invisibility. Start Altidore next time?

Stuart Holden: 6.5
The one “discovery” of the Gold Cup tournament lived up to his billing when brought on for his Houston Dynamo teammate in the second half. Had a few great runs down the right side. His cross to Davies was money (and should have resulted in a goal). Was not able to maintain these efforts for long but that is to be expected given his inexperience at this level. Look out for him, he could be a budding star. Is Europe next? We would love to see him in Arsene Wenger’s system at Arsenal, though that may be a reach at this point.