Soccer America’s player ratings for the U.S. under-20 team in the Americans’ 1-0 loss to China in their World Youth Championship Group C opener Sunday, June 17 at Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina: Goalkeeper D.J. Countess: 6. Huge saves — leaping to tip Gao Ming’s blast over the crossbar in the 38th minute, diving to grab Xu Liang’s free kick in stoppage time — preserved first-half tie, and he did a nice job controlling his box. Let down by his defenders, especially on back passes, and distribution was subpar. No chance on Qu Bo’s goal in the 50th minute. Defenders Alexander Yi: 5. Hit and miss, with some fine defensive work and lapses in concentration. Poor ball work helped China at times, was caught up on Qu’s goal, but linked well — with one superb feed to Convey — as Yanks fought to equalize. Was on the right side of three-man back line in the first half and central in the second. Oguchi Onyewu: 6. Won everything in the air, but more than a few of his headers landed at Chinese feet. Didn’t provide as much on attack as he usually does, product of the U.S. tactics. Played in the center the first 45 minutes and switched spots with Yi at halftime. Nelson Akwari: 4. American captain, on the left, struggled with the ball, often preferring to knock it out of bounds rather than seek out a teammate. Best moment: clearing a loose ball from the U.S. goalmouth following a Chinese corner kick in the 25th minute. Midfielders Kelly Gray: 5. Decent performance as one of two defensive midfielders, although he had his hands full with Gao — the best of China’s attacking quartet. Could have used some luck when his near-post header from a corner kick skidded wide of the far post 10 minutes in, but should have done more with another Donovan feed in the 62nd minute. Brian Carroll: 4. Gray’s DMF partner often found himself as a fourth defender during China’s first-half occupation of U.S. territory. Outmatched when marking Yan Song, easily beaten early by Xu Liang, and not at his best on the ball all afternoon. DaMarcus Beasley: 4. Unable to exploit space on either wing — he and Convey switched sides several times — and couldn’t beat Chinese defenders with his usually masterful dribbling. Drifted inside too often, impacting the Americans’ plan to attack from the wings. Kyle Martino: 3. Had the rare nice touch, but mostly gave the ball away and killed U.S. forays with ill-advised — and poorly struck — passes. Finally pulled after 63 minutes. Bobby Convey: 5. Absent most of the first half, but worked well with Donovan in the U.S. buildup as the Americans took control between the boxes during the second half. Superb cross should have been finished by Eskandarian in the 59th. Landon Donovan: 5. Theoretically a withdrawn forward (although operating almost entirely in midfield), Yanks’ biggest name made very little impact during the first half but took charge after the break, orchestrating the Americans’ incursions during the second half. Only U.S. player with a decent shot, firing just off target in the 25th minute. Forward Conor Casey: 4. Often stranded up top as the Chinese forced the Yanks into a defensive posture most of the first half and unable to provide much of use when given the chance. Mishandled the ball more often than not before departing in the 57th. Substitutes Alecko Eskandarian: 3. Casey’s replacement was unable to connect with teammates and floundered when chances came his way. Could have scored twice, but couldn’t deal with a fine Convey cross two minutes after coming in nor with an open shot — hit weakly at goalkeeper An Qi — in the 79th. Edson Buddle: 4. Came on for Martino to partner with Eskandarian up front. Linked well away from the goal but caused China no danger. Offside calls killed a couple attacks. Philip Salyer: NR. Took over for Carroll in the 86th minute, bolstering the U.S. defense in the hopes that might spawn something on attack. It didn’t.