The United States Men’s National Team might actually want to call Wednesday night’s match against the Netherlands a come back. After series of disappointing results in friendlies, the United States were actually able to pull a last-minute “W” against the Netherlands. Their 4-3 victory over the Netherlands was their first ever-victory in Amsterdam

Although Friday’s match is not the World Cup final, for the players playing it was an excellent chance to impress U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann. With the Gold Cup just a few weeks away there is perhaps no better statement victory than a win over the Dutch.

Klinsmann has been pressing for years to get some younger players into the squad and it appears that he has done so. Players like John Anthony Brooks, Alfredo Morales, and Jordan Morris are all under the age of twenty-five and all played a huge role in Friday’s victory.

The next step is Germany and it will be interesting to see what adjustments  will be made for Germany. Although Germany hold the technical advantage the international world is catching up. The Gold Cup will be a crittical point for this team as they build for World Cup and Olympic qualifying.

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan- 6.5- Excellent diving save in the 66th minute to keep things at 3-1. Nothing much that he could have done against the first and third goals but the second should have been saved. Has not had an appearance with the U.S. in 2015 and the rust showed.

Defender Break Shea-6: Some excellent runs down the left flank but much like in previous matches left the U.S. susceptible on the counter-attack.

Defender John Anthony Brooks-6: Perhaps the most difficult grade. Yes the goal was nice (as was the second one that was called off due to a foul) but his defending was very poor. Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made short work of him on his each of his two goals and Robin Van Persie very nearly added another. Has obviously improved since World Cup 2014 but against some of the world’s top strikers on Friday his inexperience showed.

Defender Ventura Alvarado- 4: Much like with Anthony Brooks he was taken to school by an experienced Dutch attack. Perhaps this will be a learning experience for him.

Defender Timothy Chandler-4.5: Looked good on counter-attacks, including his shot in the 50th minute, but his tracking of Memphis Depay left a lot to be desired.

Midfielder Alfredo Morales-5: Played 50 minutes but produced very little from the left midfield position. Will Brek Shea take over his spot in the Germany match?

Midfielder Kyle Beckerman-6.5: Made two excellent defensive stands in the match, including a clear at the goal line in the second half. He may not have the speed and pace that he once had but his experience has proven time and time again to be valuable for the USA. The battle between him and Perry Kitchen for the defensive midfield spot at the Gold Cup is on.

Midfielder Michael Bradley 8.5: For the first time in a long while, Bradley looked comfortable in the U.S. midfield.His dribbling and movement in the 90th minute helped set up Bobby Wood’s game-winning goal. But beyond that simple movement it was his passing into open space on the left and right flanks that opened up the Dutch defense late. The Bradley-Gyassi Zardes relationship will be fun to watch at the Gold Cup.

Midfielder Fabian Johnson 6- Excellent cross into Zardes for the USA’s opening goal. Had an average game otherwise.

Forward Aron Johansson 6- Did well as a holding forward on the Zardes goal but did not provide many goal-scoring opportunities.

Forward Gyassi Zardes 6.5- A fantastic first goal for the U.S. Men’s National Team and had some other great goal-scoring opportunities. He was not able to finish off any of his other opportunities and had trouble defending Depay on the Netherlands’ first goal. Still in his just his sixth appearance with the U.S.A. he has shown that he has a bright future.

SUBSTITUTES

Michael Orozco 4-Gave Jan Huntelaar way too much space and was burned for it. Germany match may be his last opportunity to prove his value at the international level.

Mix Diskerud 5-Had a decent opportunity late in the second half that went wide but otherwise had a fairly non-descript performance.

Danny Williams 6.5-He may have scored off of a deflection but the original shot would have been on target and was hit with some force. Made a couple of quality clears and did enough to put himself back in the good graces of Klinsmann.

Deandre Yedlin 7-A difference-maker in the second half. His speed helped set up the counter-attack on Brooks’ goal. A loan move to the Eredivisie might not be the worst thing for his career.

Bobby Wood 8.5-What a difference two months makes! Played with confidence and showed why Klinsmann has so much faith in him. The question is now can he build off of this performance in Holland with a similar showing against Germany?

Jordan Morris 8-Excellent pass into Wood for the game-winning goal. His stock just keeps rising and rising.