I've got to admit: I was not happy. Not only did I wake up at 8 am to watch the US National Team face South Africa, but I was "treated" to a wildly disappointing snoozer.

Needless to say, it was easy to go back to sleep after the final whistle.

I had been again hoping for some sort of progress - or, at least, the appearance of an attempt at progress. Instead, I got more of the tactical same. I got more misuse of personnel. I mean surely, if Bob Bradley simply must use a formation that makes terrible use of space, he could call up a squad capable of filling all 10 field roles... right?

As has happened all too often since the US raised the Gold Cup, we had a bunched up midfield and an ocean of space separating stranded attackers. Why this set has caught the coach's fancy I'll never know, but now the players seem to be losing their zest for trying to enact it. I'm sorry, but allowing - if not flat out inviting - South Africa B+ to dominate the final 45 is not preparation for World Cup qualifying and beyond.

In short... can we please, please, pretty please try something different against Sweden in January?

US Player Ratings

Tim Howard (6) - With so little to do over 45 minutes, it would be very difficult to slide the keeper up or down from the average grade. Offered some nice distribution, which was summarily wasted most of the time.

Steve Cherundolo (6.5) - One stunning sharp angle blast and the only overlapping runs of merit gets 'Dolo my USMNT Man of the Match honors for the second time in a row. I find it sad that this is enough output to be the star.

Oguchi Onyewu (5.5) - A tale of two Gooches; he was solid and together in the first half, a bit scattered and wandering in the second.

Carlos Bocanegra (5.5) - Nothing major to gripe over, although he could have been punished a couple times when his footwork betrayed him.

Heath Pearce (5.5) - Sturdy defense was again in evidence, though he looked a little better before the break. Chalk that up to the elevation, but he will still need to start displaying his ample skills at getting forward to lock this place down.

Michael Bradley (5.5) - Like many of his teammates, the Mick fared better in the first half. He is, of course, being harmed by his pop's tactics, which limit forward passing options by crowding him in midfield. However, his critics will be silenced a bit by the fact that he stayed on his feet to avoid any lunge fouls/cards.

Maurice Edu (5.5) - The kid scored points for his slip pass on Cherundolo's goal, but lost as many for not playing a wide open Jozy Altidore in alone with nine minutes to play. He again showed a cool head to work out of congestion several times, but was too easily beaten up the middle in the second half.

Benny Feilhaber (5) - Once again hampered by wrongfully being shoved outside, Benny still has to embrace the role given, no matter how foolish it may be. Of course, he is not on top form due to being continually overlooked at Derby (what's up with that anyway, coach Davies? you can't possibly be satisfied with the status quo), but he will have many much better days in the Red, White & Blue than this one.

DaMarcus Beasley (5.5) - Da Bease started well, then seemed to doze off as the dreary game wore on. He could have scored with the well-placed half-volley, but failed to get Pearce involved down the flank. He is also enough of a USMNT old hand to demand the ball more when things stagnate.

Freddy Adu (5.5) - As with every other 90-minute man on Saturday, Freddy's level dropped after halftime. He was the only American consistently trying to bring something special to the proceedings, but if he's stationed as a forward in this formation, sometimes he needs to hold the ball up to allow his slower teammates to join the attack. Still, bits of invention like his 36th minute lob feed to Beasley leave us all wanting more.

Clint Dempsey (5) - Ever the gamer, Deuce didn't seem to have as much in his tank on Saturday. He bumbled a couple of nice openings, and like Adu, failed to do much work holding up the ball. Sadly, it's been a long time since he was stationed properly, but that splendid lead pass just before halftime showed what he can do when he's got runners in front of him as opposed to leading the line.

Coach Bob Bradley (4) - If only the worst of his crimes is that he's starting to make me sound like a broken record. He seems intent on sticking with failing tactics and player placements. To be honest, I was actually angry that we won this game because it again glosses over problems not being fixed.

From now on, I'm automatically deducting a half-point for any use of this 4-4-2 empty bucket set against any team not named Argentina, Brazil, France, the Netherlands, Portugal or Spain - sides against which its effect of soaking up pressure can actually be effective. A half-point comes off for fielding players at a position that belies their skill set and another half-point comes off for neglecting to alter the game plan when it is clearly not working.

No offense to MLS and those who enjoy success there, but everyone must raise their level when switching to the international game... not just the players.

Subs:

Danny Califf (5) - After a summer of USMNT performances ranging from quite good to very good, had some troubles for the second straight time. To be fair, he plays better on the right side of central defense.

Jonathan Spector (5) - Finally finding some Premiership glory in West Ham's midfield, Spector was often pulled out of position at right back. He looked good immediately after coming on at the break, then started running around when South Africa got serious about equalizing.

Brad Guzan (6) - See Tim Howard.

Josmer Altidore (5.5) - Largely reduced to wasting time near the corner flag in his first senior cap, Jozy also had a couple good runs unrewarded with the ball and a couple of bad touches. For this talented youngster, his debut was barely even an appetizer.

Sacha Kljestan (5.5) - Another misuse of Kljestan in a 'Nats game, another confused appearance. As with Benny, he should find a way to embrace the role he's assigned even if it's all wrong for him.

Jonathan Bornstein (5) - He only had five minutes, which unfortunately was enough time for a terrible giveaway to Steven Pienaar - probably the last Bafana Bafana man you'd want to surrender the ball to outside your own area in the waning moments of a game you're leading by a goal.