The US men's national team crashed out of the World Cup in the round of 16, but individual performances varied widely. Weston McKennie was the standout, earning an A grade for his consistent displays across five starts. He led the team in chances created with eight and covered over 57 kilometers.
Top Performers
Malik Tillman also earned an A-, scoring two goals from free kicks and creating seven chances. Folarin Balogun received an A for his three goals and 29 forced turnovers, second only to Tyler Adams. Chris Richards, despite a tough matchup against Romelu Lukaku, graded B+ with a remarkable 100% pass completion against Paraguay.
Mixed Results
Christian Pulisic, who started three games and scored one assist, graded B after a microcosm of his career: flashes of brilliance followed by injury and slump. Sergiño Dest also earned a B, with solid attacking but inconsistent decision-making. Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream both earned B grades for their defensive contributions.
Disappointments
Matt Freese, the goalkeeper with no European experience, graded C after a costly error against Belgium. Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie both earned C grades for shaky performances in a dead-rubber match against Turkey. Matt Turner, the 2022 starter, also graded C after conceding three goals in his only appearance.
Bright Spots
Sebastian Berhalter enhanced his reputation with a B+ grade, leading the team in chances created per 90 minutes (3.4). Alex Freeman, a 21-year-old debutant, earned an A- with 14 tackles and strong duel win rates. Gio Reyna, overcoming past drama, scored a goal and graded B.
Manager and Federation
Manager Mauricio Pochettino graded B+, praised for tactics in wins but criticized for slow substitutions against Belgium. The federation graded C- for pricing out loyal fans and the Balogun citizenship controversy. Fans were split: D for newbies, A++ for diehards who endured.
