France vs. USA: Rating Jurgen Klinsmann's USA Players

Here we go again.

Another loss. Another game without a goal. Another disappointment.

And yet, Team USA's 1-0 loss to France on Friday in Paris felt both strangely OK and eerily familiar. In fact, it felt pretty much just like every match under Jurgen Klinsmann have felt.

It felt, well, not terrible.

Look, I know it hurts right now. Even if it's only a friendly, it always hurts to lose. And it hurts even more this time because the US defense played so well for most of the match, only to see France score the winner on such a simple move.

And, yes, all the losses—four in six matches under Klinsmann—are starting to get a bit frustrating.

But it was only a friendly, and this loss came against France in Paris. The defense played well until the goal and frustrated France for long spells.

That's not exactly embarrassing.

It was maddeningly predictable, though, and if Klinsmann and the US want to make the progress they keep talking about, they're going to have to start turning "not terrible" into something else.

After all, World Cup qualifying isn't too terribly far away now.

Enough. On to the ratings.

Goalkeeper

Tim Howard: 7.0

Howard wasn't at fault on the goal (more on that later), and he made a world-class save early in the second half on Benzema's wicked free kick. This was another strong performance from America's undisputed No. 1.

Defenders

Clarence Goodson: 4.5

Let's get this one out of the way right now. Goodson alone was responsible for the goal. He was beaten by a simple ball over the top, and then he was beaten physically by Remy for the shot. Both are inexcusable—and both are taught at the most basic levels of soccer. Goodson did play well for most of the match. When it mattered, though, he wasn't good enough.

Carlos Bocanegra: 6.5

Bocanegra played like the captain he is, winning aerial challenges and cutting out French passes all night. But like Goodson, he allowed the ball to bounce on one long pass and nearly paid the price for it. He also took a terrible free kick in the first half but made up for it with several outstanding challenges and interceptions.

Timmy Chandler: 6.5

Chandler's high work-rate and enthusiasm are infectious and refreshing. He works hard up and down the pitch, getting involved on offense and defending with gusto. He still has a lot to learn, but he looks like the long-term answer at left back. He did get himself out of position late in the first half to allow Benzema a dangerous chance, though.

Steve Cherundolo: 6.0

It's hard to fault Cherundolo for much. He drew a tough assignment in dealing with Franck Ribery down the wing and acquitted himself well. He also did enough to throw off Benzema when the latter had an open header in the six-yard box early in the second half.

Midfielders

Kyle Beckerman: 5.5

Beckerman mixed it up and got physical with the French, which is, for obvious reasons, a good thing. But he played too deep and became almost a fifth defender for much of his time on the pitch. The result? France had tons of time and space in the midfield. They exploited it early in the second half.

Maurice Edu: 5.0

See above. Edu was deployed in a central role but went missing when France gained control of the match. The American midfield lost its shape entirely early in the second half, and as a central midfielder, that's on Edu.

Brek Shea: 5.5

Shea didn't impress in front of the watching eyes of Arsene Wenger, who will soon give Shea a chance train at Arsenal. Normally Shea runs all over the park and gets himself into dangerous spots. That didn't happen Friday.

Danny Williams: 5.0

Williams looked uncomfortable on the wing, and that's not his fault. He's much more comfortable in a central role.

Forwards

Clint Dempsey: 6.0

Every time you looked, it seemed like Dempsey was getting fouled. He maintained his cool, though, and did his best to direct the offensive traffic. He didn't receive much service, so he had to drop back into the midfield. It didn't quite work, but it was an admirable effort nonetheless.

Jozy Altidore: 7.0

I'm not a fan of Altidore, but he played well Friday. In fact, if Howard wasn't the Americans' man of the match, Altidore was. He played physically and held the ball well while other attackers tried to come forward. As usual, though, his touch was below standard. He nearly—maybe should have—earned a penalty in the first half.

Substitutes

Jermaine Jones: 6.0

Jones tracked back superbly to cut out a French chance late in the second half. Without him, France could have had a second goal.

DaMarcus Beasley: 5.5

Beasley got into the attack and played a few nice passes but he didn't influence the game the way he can with his speed and touch.

Fabian Johnson: no rating

Johnson replaced Danny Williams in the 71st minute and made no impact on the game.

Edson Buddle: 6.0

Buddle showed great skill with a dribble in the box but he couldn't make the final pass that would have led to an American equalizer.