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Brady (out of shot) linked brilliantly with McGoldrick for Ireland's second. Donall Farmer/INPHO
out of 10

Player ratings: How the Boys in Green fared against the USA

Ireland finished the year on a high with a 4-1 win against the US in Dublin.

Shay Given – 8: Couldn’t have done anything to stop the goal in a relatively quiet first half. Made three important saves with his feet in the second half to keep America at bay.

Cyrus Christie – 8: A very impressive debut at right back. Composed in defence and looked to get forward where he could, creating a number of Ireland’s better chances with his fast feet and good vision. One of Ireland’s best performers.

Alex Pearce – 7: Marshalled the defence in the absence of John O’Shea and did a decent job of it. Good positioning had him in the right places at the right time.

Ciaran Clark – 7: Won his early aerial battles and made a number of key interventions, sliding in to stop both Johnson and Diskerud in the second half. Caught once under a high ball but was saved when Altidore’s shot hit the bar.

Robbie Brady – 9: A rare international outing at left full and had one of the tougher assignments against the lively Bedoya. Linked brilliantly with McGoldrick for Ireland’s second, and then capped a night he won’t forget with a superb free-kick.

Anthony Pilkington – 8: Gave Ireland an early lead with a sublime finish. Combined well with Christie down the right and nearly turned provider with a great cross for Murphy early in the second half.

Stephen Quinn – 7: Was always going to be a tough night up against America’s experienced middle men. Himself and Meyler looked second best in that battle early on but worked hard and acquitted themselves well.

David Meyler (c) – 7: A proud night as he captained his country but will be furious with himself for giving away the cheap possession that led to America’s goal.

Anthony Stokes – 6: Didn’t look his most comfortable on the left wing and gave away possession one time too many. Deserves credit for the high pressing in the build-up to Brady’s first goal. First man off on the hour mark.

David McGoldrick – 8: Given his debut as the link man in the hole and responded with two brilliant assists – a measured pass for Pilkington and a clever inside backheel for Brady. A promising start.

Daryl Murphy – 6: Opened up a yard of space for Pilkington’s goal with a clever run off the ball and could have had two himself, but missed a good chance in either half.

Aiden McGeady (for Stokes, 59) – 7: Enjoyed running at a tired US defence and his energy helped turn the game in Ireland’s favour in the last half-hour.

James McClean (for Pilkington, 64)- 7: Lively, and was rewarded for taking a chance when his shot deflected off Cameron and gave Hamid no chance.

Shane Long (for McGoldrick, 77): Unlucky not to score when he hit the inside of the post but otherwise, not on long enough to rate.

Jeff Hendrick (for Murphy, 77) : Not on long enough to rate.

Rob Elliot (for Given, 84): Not on long enough to rate.

As it happened: Ireland v USA, international friendly

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