It was a game that felt very much like January friendly Sunday, with a fixture that always seems primed to produce a scoreless draw doing just that.
The match did give Dave Sarachan, and whoever takes over the U.S. national team job on a more long-term basis, plenty to think about. For one, it may be time to go totally out with the old. Gyasi Zardes was the most experienced player in the starting lineup in terms of international caps, but the recently traded attacker struggled to find his feet.
Meanwhile, some players who have had few bites at the apple of international soccer, among them Wil Trapp and Ike Opara, showed that they're ready to be relied upon more heavily as the U.S. looks to move on from the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Here are Goal 's player ratings for the U.S. national team's friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina:
GK BILL HAMID, 5: You could hear his communication with a back line that hasn't played much together. He only had to make a save once, and while he made things harder than he needed on himself by coming off his line on his stop just before the break, he was able to keep a clean sheet in 45 minutes of play.
D MATT POLSTER, 6.5: The Chicago Fire defender grew into the game, pushing up the right-hand side often in the second half and sending in a few crosses that had the potential to turn into scoring opportunities. He also had a solid defensive performance, including his stoppage-time block, and did it all with a bloody nose.
D WALKER ZIMMERMAN, 4: Got off to a good start but fatigue seemed to set in as the match went on. He lost track of the ball that led to Bosnia's best chance in the first half, though Hamid made the save. The penalty he conceded was unfortunate as there should've been a foul whistled before it came, but it was a foul and could've changed the game.
D IKE OPARA, 6.5: Got himself into position to make blocks often and generally was hard for Bosnian attackers to beat. His sliding clearance just before the half-hour mark and the diving header in the final 10 minutes were his finest.
D JUSTIN MORROW, 5: Didn't get much to do defensively but wasn't able to add the same type of attacking contributions he does with Toronto FC that could've been critical in a game where good options were scarce.
M WIL TRAPP, 7.5: It was an excellent showing from the 25-year-old, who was the best player on the field Sunday. You could see why Sarachan had the confidence to play him as the lone defensive midfielder, as he both picked balls off of Bosnia attackers and more notably sent forward several pinpoint passes to start attacks.
M JORDAN MORRIS, 4: It looked like it might be Morris' night after he switched to the left wing in the first half and found more opportunities. He had yet more chances in the second half when he moved into his familiar forward role, including an opportunity he should've put away 10 minutes before the final whistle. Instead, he sent it off target.
M TYLER ADAMS, 4.5: After such a promising showing against Portugal, you can forgive fans for wanting more from the New York Red Bulls prospect. Got a bit lost in the shuffle in the first half but improved as the game wore on.
M CRISTIAN ROLDAN, 5: Worked hard in the midfield, running throughout his entire 68-minute shift and recycling the ball quickly when he won it back. Would've liked to do better with the chances he had in front of the net.
M GYASI ZARDES, 3: Whether it was struggling to control passes, dribbling into traffic, getting caught in offside positions and killing attacks, or passing directly to Bosnian defenders, it was a poor showing from Zardes. He did dart back several times to help correct his errors, but the most experienced player on the international level must be better.
F C.J. SAPONG, 4: Got a bit stranded up top but wasn't able to make the most of the opportunities he did get. Struggled to find other teammates to combine with when Morris or Zardes made their way forward. Substituted at halftime.
Chances for each side, but in the end a draw. #USAvBIH recap » https://t.co/mwsMFJcZyA pic.twitter.com/vyvpewpwLE
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) January 29, 2018
SUBSTITUTES
GK ZACK STEFFEN, 6: Perhaps you could say his penalty record served as intimidation for Haris Medunjanin's miss. The Columbus Crew goalkeeper did have a nice save, extending to stop a low shot shortly after he came on at halftime.
M PAUL ARRIOLA, 4.5: Had a better relationship with Polster than either Zardes or Morris before him but wasn't able to find any space behind Bosnia's left back Almir Bekic.
M KELYN ROWE, 4: Was asked to come in and change the game but didn't create any danger.
F JUAN AGUDELO, 4.5: Has to have been frustrated as the referee seemed to have single him out and whistle every bit of physical contact he made.
M RUBIO RUBIN, N/A: Seven minutes of action wasn't enough for Rubin to change the game, though he showed a bit of skill in stoppage time.
