USMNT player ratings v. Northern Ireland were a mixed bag, as the blustery conditions in Belfast suited attacking players but it was a tough outing for defenders.
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Gio Reyna’s deflected strike got the USMNT ahead, against the run of play, while Christian Pulisic’s penalty kick wrapped up the win against an understrength Northern Ireland.
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Niall McGinn scored a beauty late on to make it 2-1, but the USMNT held on.
Here are the USMNT player ratings from their win at Windsor Park.
USMNT player ratings
Zack Steffen: 6 – One loose pass and did his best to clean up a tricky back pass in windy conditions. Made a couple of decent saves. Couldn’t do much about the stunning Northern Ireland goal.
Aaron Long: 5 – A tough outing as the right-sided center back in a three. That formation does not suit him, didn’t look comfortable on the ball and Lafferty targeted him.
Matt Miazga: 5 – One poor giveaway and looked a little shaky in possession. Not sure he’s a starter at center back.
Tim Ream: 6 – Nice ball to set up Reyna’s goal, and used his experience to hold things together. Is he a starter?
Sergino Dest: 7 – Some lovely play at right wing-back and drifted inside to add an extra man for attacks. So much skill on the ball and cemented his status as a star for this team. Subbed off at half time.
Yunus Musah: 6 – Quiet game as he came off at half time. Nice touches and a few good runs, but caught in possession a few times in dangerous areas.
Kellyn Acosta: 4 – Terrible first half. Gave the ball away on multiple occasions and looked tired. Perhaps understandable as he hasn’t had a preseason and started v. Jamaica on Thursday too. Better in second half.
Antonee Robinson: 7 – Got forward all the time and whipped in a good cross which was just in front of Siebatcheu. Very comfortable as a left wing-back going forward. Can improve his patient on the ball.
Gio Reyna 😍😍😍😍 (🎥 @usmnt) pic.twitter.com/61MzLFrtlK
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 28, 2021
Gio Reyna: 7 – Finally got his goal, and that hefty deflection before the ball looped in helped him out. The teenager will be relieved and he looked a lot more comfortable playing centrally and drifting in off the left flank.
Christian Pulisic: 8 – He was everywhere. Wore the captain’s armband, won a penalty kick and scored it and led by example. Surging runs through the middle, and played on the left and right. His class, speed and power is clearly a level above the other U.S. players.
Jordan Siebatcheu: 7 – Held the ball up well, some nice runs and almost tapped home at the back post. Looked dangerous, was a real handful and very calm in and around the box.
Pulisic finds the net from the spot! (🎥 @usmnt) pic.twitter.com/neyo1Imeus
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 28, 2021
Substitutions
Sebastian Lletget (46′ on for Musah): 6 – Almost scored another. Tidy.
Bryan Reynolds (46′ on for Dest): 5 – Two good runs. Looked raw defensively.
Daryl Dike (62′ on for Siebatcheu): 6 – Could have scored a hat trick. A real handful and some great runs.
Brenden Aaronson (62′ on for Reyna): 7 – So smooth on the ball and energetic. Had a big impact.
Chris Richards (62′ on for Long): 6 – Did what he had to do well. Comfortable on the ball.
Luca de la Torre (73′ on for Acosta): 7 – Some lovely touches and passes. Took his chance.
