US coach Bob Bradley's favored brand of 4-4-2 formation was nearly run to perfection against passing fancy hosts Spain on Wednesday night - and yet, it still wasn't good enough.

As I expected, the empty bucket midfield set made Spain labor for even the half-est of chances for most of the 90 Santander minutes.

It's very easy to become stuck to one flank and then be burned on the other, but American defensive shape was exemplary during the first 45, its accordion effect wreaking havoc with Spain's lanes both centrally and on the wing.

The Red Fury were able to poke a few holes both early and late in the second half, one which allowed Xavi to slot the winner.

From an offensive standpoint, we did manage to create some attack out of our too often feint pressure. Why we don't push the things that work best is beyond me, especially when the coach preaches the "P word" often, but the 'Nats did have a couple of golden chances to draw first blood.

So there... I've now congratulated the tactics I've panned for over a year in about every way possible, extolling each virtue without expecting too much in the way of adventure.

And yeah, again, it simply wasn't enough.

US Player Ratings
Tim Howard (6) - Did his job for 45 minutes, including one impressive stretch 'n' swat on a nervy cross that ended with a belly-flop final touch clearance.

Steve Cherundolo (5.5) - He didn't add to attack, but was busy enough with other things. It was another solid 45-minute show that left me wondering: why only 45?

Oguchi Onyewu (5.5) - Again, a largely stand-up performance is weighed down by a moment of hesitation - this time, failing to close the gate on Xavi's late breach cost him a full point markdown. Before that, he had been stepping up to clear area entry pass after area entry pass.

Carlos Bocanegra (6) - Probably the USMNT Man of the Match, Cpt. Carlos eliminated the standout mistakes that plagued his England performance.

Heath Pearce (5.5) - While able to get forward during the opening half hour, Pearce quieted down from there and a late error trying to move out of the back put his team in danger with the game still scoreless. That being said, he did well in tandem with Eddie Lewis to generally shut down the Spanish starboard side.

Michael Bradley (5.5) - Like a few teammates, he scored a bit higher until the winning goal. Mikey was spun by Xavi on that play, but generally kept a tight central chain with Maurice Edu against a tricky midfield. The card was lame, but that tackle on Fernando Torres surely was not. Bradley was also the only US player trying and completing (forgive the basketball term) skip passes.

Maurice Edu (6) - It was all poise and purge for the Toronto FC youngster, who may just have fluttered a few Euro-hearts with his skilled version of a no-nonsense midfield stopper.

Clint Dempsey (4.5) - As with bookend Lewis, Dempsey's defensive footwork and movement was outstanding, but he is clearly still regaining his attack legs after Fulham's late survival rush. He normally would have buried the misplayed cross that fell at his feet midway through the first half.

Eddie Lewis (6) - His defensive movement was clinical, as was his cross that EJ should have finished just after the break. He has shown in the first two pre-qualifying friendlies that reports of his international demise have - at least, for now - been exaggerated.

Freddy Adu (5.5) - Gee... just imagine if he had three runners in front of him instead of one. Are we allergic to #10's or something? Asked to do too much as support striker, Freddy did win a basket of free kicks and repeatedly drew extra Spain markers before picking out open teammates (who, to be honest, were always less inclined to do something with the ball than he is).

Eddie Johnson (5.5) - It's a pity the Fulham man was a stride off when played through by Adu as he took his chip shot wonderfully. Unfortunately, he flashed his big chance wide from a Lewis cross just after the break - he nods that one home, and this grade jumps a full point. Still, he was able to lose Carlos Puyol on the play, no small feat. EJ also ran strong on and off the ball all night. 

Coach Bob Bradley (5) - Fair is fair, and the formation suited the opponent. And yet, even when worked practically to the letter, it clearly is not a system to move the USMNT to the world's top tier. Sadly, it will probably look fairly good against Argentina, another of the handful of global sides the empty bucket has the potential to contain... to an extent.

Subs:

Brad Guzan (5) - The Aston Villa target can't be marked down on the goal, but he was well and clearly beaten by a Xavi free kick that struck near the mid-point of the crossbar.

Frankie Hejduk (6) - After a shaky start, Frankie caught up to the speed of Spain's attackers and even surfed the flank to send a pair of dangerous crosses. Don't fault him as last challenger on the goal as he had to come over as emergency help.

DaMarcus Beasley (4.5) - A forgettable appearance. Then again, he’s not 100% yet and the formation does not suit him at all.

Josh Wolff (-)

Pablo Mastroeni (-)