Frustrating conclusions from U.S. defeat

It was a triple killing -- three goals in eight minutes that easily saw off the U.S. challenge in Aarhus. Friendlies tend to spawn more overreactions than calm, logical analysis simply because most American soccer fans expect to be better than they really are.

From the distant perspective of a TV screen carrying the international feed, the defensive collapse was a frustrating exercise that you'd rather not see. But there were a lot of things going on, working against the players. And while that sounds like excuses, the two games appeared to be mostly about player evaluations for Coach Bradley.

Presuming that is the case, making this a player-by-player evaluation seems fair. In the interest of time, there's no need to look at each player, but rather the ones who stuck out. Here goes.

Positives

Stuart Holden - The Dynamo player would do his career a huge service if he were to make the jump to Europe. Holden's continued ascension could provide huge dividends for Bob Bradley. A dangerous and energetic Holden could allow Clint Dempsey to push up as a forward, giving the U.S. another look and a different lineup.

Brad Guzan - Anyone concerned about Tim Howard's form, or what would happen if Howard were to get injured playing for Everton, Guzan has hushed those voices, at least for the time being.

Jeff Cunningham - Of all the forwards to have appeared in a USMNT recently, Cunningham worked harder than most in his appearance against Denmark. While Jozy Altidore was lumbering around and looking disinterested, Cunningham tracked down an errant pass an score the only goal on European soil for the U.S. in these two games.

Negative

Michael Bradley - Wasn't at his best, and hasn't been for some time. Central midfield is such a huge position for the U.S. that consistent performers are a must. And Bradley needs to be consistently at his best, running box-to-box and not widely diving in for balls.

Frankie Hejduk - At this point, the sun has set on his international career. Between Jonathan Spector and Steve Cherundolo, Hejduk sightings should be few and far between in a USMNT jersey. It's a tad harsh, but between his mistakes in Denmark and in the MLS playoffs, Hejduk should stay home in 2010.

Jozy Altidore - Didn't have any hustle, and didn't seem to be interested in either match. Jozy continues frustrate, and with whispers about a lack of effort on the practice pitch isn't helping anything. It's still early, and there's no reason to put extra pressure on him, but a lot of hope is placed in the young striker if success is to be achieved in South Africa.

Mediocre

Jonathan Spector - Playing out of position, the experiment was good on Saturday, not so good on Wednesday. Three goals in eight minutes is simply poor, no matter how you try to spin it. And while Spector can't be blamed for all the goals, it's not the return a coach would want to see.

Robbie Rogers - A frustrating and inconsistent player, Rogers didn't particularly shine in either match but he did put in a decent effort. Not good enough to be a positive, nor bad enough to be a negative, Rogers fits somewhere in the middle.