by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

After hand-wringing all though my rating of their loss to Germany, the U.S. Under-20 National Team made it much easier on a nervous critic by efficiently disposing of Cameroon climb second in World Cup group play on Tuesday.

The Americans looked much more comfy from the start and built in confidence as the game moved along. Patient until opening score just before halftime, the Baby 'Nats emerged for the second period with their routin' boots.

The insertions of Bryan Arguez, Daniel Cruz and Dilly Duka helped the U.S. move quickly and threateningly through midfield all night. It was night to the day of game one, and by the final whistle a -3 goal differential deficit had been wiped from the books in style.

U.S. Player Ratings

Brian Perk (6) - He was rarely forced into heavy duty and all the run of play mess were tidied up nicely.

Sheanon Williams (5.5) - The right back wasn't quite at his sharpest, but it was mostly cool competence - something the team needed badly after the opener. Williams' long throws are also a valuable attack asset that nearly paid off.

Ike Opara (6) - Other than a totally unnecessary penalty tug foul, the Demon Deacon hardly put a foot wrong. It didn't really matter in the context of the game, which is why it was about the last thing to have done and costs a full grade. Beyond that, it was a calm and calming performance.

Gale Agbossoumonde (5.5) - The younger center back also raised his game a notch against . He stills tries to do a little much at times, but this impulsiveness was significantly dialed back. It's as easy to get excited by his seam passing out of the back as it is be frustrated on those few occasions when he keeps a ball under pressure that results in a turnover. Let's not forget, though, that he could still have played in the Under-17 World Cup next month.

Jorge Flores (5) - Not through any fault of his own, the left back wasn't really part of the action for most of the first hour. Of course, that could explain why he had a couple of nervous moments after that point. I'd also like to see him close down crossers with much more vigor.

Bryan Arguez (8) - Providing everything for 90 that he did for 45 three days earlier, Arguez looks on a mission to prove to both Charleroi and Hertha Berlin that they have it wrong. He was the time keeper, the gate, the conveyor belt and even took it upon himself to smash home the first U.S. goal of the tourney just before halftime. It was also his lead passes that sent Duka off to set up the second and score the third. Along with a few others, his calmness on the field sets a much-needed example.

Daniel Cruz (7) - The Dynamo prospect was a busy man, spending much of the night dragging Cameroon into the corner. Cruz served several dangerous balls and should have had an assist with a perfect curled feed that saw a capitulating Ownby stuffed by the keeper.

Jared Jeffrey (7) - Like Arguez, Jeffrey just radiates a professional calm on the field that affects his teammates. His restart serves were better, and there can be no better episodic example of his hard work/skill blend than the snatch-and-send assist on Ownby's capper.

Dilly Duka (7.5) - Another guy cool on the ball, Duka was involved in most of the team's best moves all night. He ran free to tee up Taylor for goal #2 and bag the third with a keeper chip from the left flank that was just plain rude. It was a nice moment as he had just flubbed a golden scoring chance with a poor receiving touch a moment earlier.

Brek Shea (6) - Oddly, the FC Dallas young ace looks just a shade tentative. For instance: an early opportunity to turn and fire saw him well blocked. There's really nothing negative to report and he works hard for the team... I don't know, maybe I'm just expecting more.

Tony Taylor (7.5) - Like Arguez, the striker generally continued his second half Germany show on Tuesday. When the attack slowed, he took it upon himself to gallop it to life. He calmly teed up Arguez for the opener in a scramble and coolly finished a Duka feed to double the lead.

Coach Thomas Rongen (7.5) - The boss made all the right player moves, simplified the set a little for efficiency and got the boys fired up to win. What else do you need?

Subs:

Dillon Powers (5.5) - The midfielder looked much more composed than in the opener and tried to tilt play away from his end more smoothly as a result.

Brian Ownby (5.5) - Took one chance well and one not so well, then picked up a silly yellow card that sees him miss the group closer. I'll say this much for his 16 minutes: he's active!

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners. Questions, comments, kudos or complaints? Email him at greg@noshortcorners.com.

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