Soccer America’s player ratings for the U.S. under-20 team in the Americans’ 2-0 loss to Egypt in their World Youth Championship second-round match Wednesday, June 27 at Velez Sarsfield’s Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The defeat eliminated the United States from the tournament. Goalkeeper D.J. Countess: 8. Americans’ tournament MVP kept his side in the game with four brilliant first-half saves, including one on Gamal Hamza’s 19th-minute penalty kick. That was set up by his foul, but the call was questionable, and he couldn’t be faulted on either goal. Defenders Oguchi Onyewu: 5. Right back made the big play defensively and convinced the Egyptians to attack the other wing, but offered little at the other end. Alexander Yi: 5. Struggled against Mohamad El Yamany in the first half but got better as the game went on. Made a few huge defensive plays, but his ball work wasn’t always precise. Nelson Akwari: 5. U.S. captain was much better in the second half than in the first, and he fared quite well in the air. Got caught flat-footed on occasion and occasionally made tackles only to surrender the ball immediately. Ricky Lewis: 4. Left back was targeted by the Egyptians in the first half, who created a good number of chances after beating him on the flank. Sometimes got caught forward. Midfielders Brian Carroll: 6. Played the linkman to Gray’s ballwinner in U.S. midfield with moderate success, finding space in difficult situations and connecting well with teammates, especially Donovan. Provided one of the Americans’ stronger efforts. Kelly Gray: 4. Battled hard in difficult circumstances — the Egyptians owned midfield, for the most part — but did better defensively than with the ball. Second yellow card finished him off in the 84th minute as the Yanks were battling to pull even. Bobby Convey: 4. Did what he could on, primarily, the left wing during the first half, but injured groin prevented success. Came off at halftime. DaMarcus Beasley: 5. Hip-pointer destroyed his explosiveness and forced him into a defensive role on the flank, but he connected well with Donovan and made one brilliant run on the left byline to set up Casey’s chance 13 minutes into the second half. Landon Donovan: 7. Took on an attacking role after serving as midfield organizer during the first three matches. Superb passer, finding teammates as others couldn’t, and willing to take long-range shots. The key to U.S. second-half domination and to the attempted comeback after the first Egyptian goal. Forward Conor Casey: 5. Lone striker nearly fired the Yanks ahead in the 58th — Mahmoud Mahmoud blocked his shot from 7 yards — and he held the ball better than any U.S. player other than Donovan. Wilted from a lack of support, was often battered — kicked in the head once, butted heads twice on air balls — and created fewer chances than perhaps he should have. Substitutes Brad Davis: 3. Halftime replacement for Convey got somewhat involved in the U.S. buildup, but silly hand ball in the 76th minute — trying to bring the ball down on his chest under no pressure — was the critical blow to U.S. hopes, setting up Wael Reyad’s winning PK. Alecko Eskandarian: 3. Came on for Casey immediately after Egypt went ahead and was presented with Americans’ best chance seven minutes later, firing wide from the top of the 6-yard box against essentially an open net. Poor pass halted counter after Beasley interception just before second goal. Philip Salyer: NR. Brought on for Ricky Lewis four minutes into second-half injury time. Never touched the ball.