I thought Feilhaber was just what we needed in the 4-3-3. When we changed out of that formation, he became much less focal and didn’t impose as much. Both Feilhaber and Gatt added a badly missing component in the first half by actually dribbling at defenders to create overload situations. Unfortunately Gatt either doesn’t know when to pass or nobody bothered to remember that he always cuts into the middle and couldn’t make good supporting runs.

Brad Evans was almost completely absent in the first half. I actually thought he did better at RB that Beltran seeing as he didn’t need to do any actual defending.

Davis does some nice things, but I have a hard time seeing him being effective for the MNT. Maybe he would do better with a better supporting cast.

EJ still looks good when he cuts outside, but he also seemed slower than his usual self. Again, I don’t see him being as useful if he isn’t burning it up with wheels.

Besler had several really good passes out of the back, especially on the long ball. No surprise from this SKC fan.

Gonzales also did a decent job with service when we managed to create a lane for him to pass to anyone other than Beckerman.

My takeaway is that we had the wrong formation and personnel to attack a bunkered opponent. We had enough retreating passes to give Klinsmann an ulcer. Of course, that is the result of nobody in our midfield being able to keep the ball in tight spaces and still make a pass. This game really asked more questions about our players than it provided answers. The only guys I see having any business being on the WCQ roster are the guys that were already likely to be on it. Zusi, Feilhaber, Gonzales and Besler just because we still haven’t really seen them defend, and Gatt. Maybe EJ. Nobody else even looked remotely good enough.

And not at all surprising. Klinsmann playing someone out of position is a running theme.

I saw some nice moments from many players, but tactically this was a farce. I’m still on the Klinsy-wagon, but this makes 3 efforts against packed in mediocre Canada with similar games played each time.

The lineup really was puzzling. Even little things like putting Gatt on the left? Why?

On the positive side, we answered a lot of questions. Now we have game film to show people who think that Wondo or Evans deserve a call-up. They just proved tonight that they aren’t good enough. I don’t really want to hear about them with the USMNT again.