USMNT player ratings vs. Germany: Grades for each member of USA squad in World Cup tune-up loss
USMNT player ratings vs. Germany: Grades for each member of USA squad in World Cup tune-up loss originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In their final match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, the USMNT played to a testy 2-1 defeat against top-tier opponents Germany in a friendly from Soldier Field in Chicago.
It was a quality overall performance by the United States, as they dominated the first half with their first-choice lineup on the field and made it to the break with the scoreline level at a goal apiece. Despite the impressive showing throughout the match, defensive errors sunk the U.S. men, which has become a frustratingly familiar story for this team.
Arsenal star Kai Havertz, who scored early in the Champions League final, did so again here as he headed in a free-kick delivery from Josh Kimmich in just the second minute of the match.
Germany were electric through the first 10 minutes, but the U.S. grew into the match from there as their press began to effectively disrupt the 10th-ranked side in the world. They were the better side from that point on, and Antonee Robinson’s thumping long-range volley in the 38th minute brought them level.
Mauricio Pochettino left the starters in to begin the second half, but they began to fade in effectiveness as Germany started to re-establish their dominance. The Europeans went in front again as Leroy Sane drove a slightly deflected effort past Matt Freese from outside the penalty area, and they would stay in front for good.
Defeat means the U.S. has not beaten a European team since December, 2021. They will now get ready for the World Cup proper, as they will open Group D play against Paraguay on June 12.
The Sporting News brings you a full list of player ratings for the match, analyzing the USMNT’s individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
MORE:See the player ratings from the USMNT victory over Senegal
USA vs. Germany final score
Location: Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)
Referee: Piero Maza (CHI)
USMNT starting lineup:
USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman (Scally, 72′), 12. M. Robinson (McKenzie, 62′), 13. Ream (Arfsten, 72′), 5. A. Robinson (Trusty, 62′) — 4. Adams (Roldan, 72′), 8. McKennie (Berhalter, 62′) — 2. Dest (Weah, 72′), 17. Tillman (Aaronson, 72′), 10. Pulisic (Reyna, 62′) — 20. Balogun (Pepi, 72′).
USA substitutes: Turner (GK), Brady (GK), Arfsten, McKenzie, M. Robinson, Scally, Roldan, Tillman, Reyna, Aaronson, Zendejas, Weah, Wright, Pepi.
MORE:USMNT roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Why is the USMNT midfield so thin?
USMNT player ratings vs. Germany
This starting lineup for the UMSNT against Germany is very likely to be the lineup against Paraguay in their first match of the World Cup. The only difference is that Chris Richards is very likely to slot in for Miles Robinson along the back, but otherwise this is believed to be the first-choice XI.
All ratings are on a 10-point scale
Starters
GK — Matt Freese: 7
Safe and effective with what little work he had to do in goal through the first half. Not at fault for the early opener by Germany.
His distribution could use with being a little better, as he was loose with his long deliveries. Made a smart save at his near post early in the second half to deny Felix Nmecha after a broken play resulted in a Germany counter.
RB — Alex Freeman: 7
A really strong first 20 minutes of the match, hitting all 12 of his first passes as a key component of progression, and logging a pair of defensive contributions when Germany goes forward. Was an energetic contributor on both sides of the ball throughout the first half, but faded in his effectiveness as the game went on.
RCB — Miles Robinson: 3
Failed to track Kai Havertz on Germany’s early set-piece goal. He and Tim Ream both failed to close down Leroy Sane on Germany’s goal.
To put it bluntly, Miles shouldn’t be on this roster. He’s not World Cup caliber. It’s Mauricio Pochettino’s worst roster decision this summer, and fans will hope it doesn’t cost them games or points.
Kai Havertz gets Germany on the board after just two minutes ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/1qGyD2UUfa
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 6, 2026
LCB — Tim Ream: 5
Got picked on the early goal by Kai Havertz, leaving Miles Robinson late shifting over. Was left in no-man’s land when Havertz put the ball in the net 7 minutes in, but thankfully his blushes were saved by the offside flag.
Turned it around from there, not putting himself in danger at any point through the first 30 minutes. Got absolutely pummeled by Kai Havertz on 33 minutes but managed to get up and soldier on. Again caught in no-man’s land in Germany’s late first-half move that resulted in a penalty shout.
Good clearance in the 57th minute to prevent a cross, but got caught not closing down the shooter moments later and it resulted in a goal.
Leroy Sane on the mark to restore Germany’s lead 🎯 pic.twitter.com/V1U5ZnGmV3
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 6, 2026
LB — Antonee Robinson: 8
Tested through the first 20 minutes of the match, and handled it alright, but not terribly well. He was safe with his passing, and showed good strength when challenged on the ball, but had a few defensive lapses especially when Germany broke out in transition.
Scored an absolute BANGER before halftime as he walloped a sensational volley from outside the penalty area to level the score at one each.
RIP IT AND FLIP IT! A WORLDY FROM JEDI!#USMNT x @VWpic.twitter.com/3rXxlvHSLz
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 6, 2026
A very poor clearance in the 60th minute allowed Germany to continue an attacking move after they seemed to have given it away.
He left the field limping and looked a bit frustrated as he came off the field just past the hour mark, but it was reportedly just cramps.
DCM — Tyler Adams: 8
Extremely active defensively, as expected, making three early tackles by the time the first hydration break had arrived. Forced Germany to play out wide on multiple occasions.
Committed the foul that led to Germany’s early set-piece goal. Had another foul midway through the first half that could have resulted in a yellow card on another day, but proved a menace in the middle of the pitch overall. Also passed at a safe level hitting 18 of his first 20 through the opening 45 minutes.
By the second half hydration break, Adams had logged ELEVEN defensive contributions, including nine (!!!!) tackles, while winning 10 of his 14 ground duels. An incredible performance in the middle of the pitch. Probably the best USMNT player on the day, which isn’t exactly new for this team.
CM — Weston McKennie: 6
Classic Weston McKennie game, a bit scatter-brained but still somehow more effective than not. Pressed well even if his game felt somewhat disjointed. Didn’t have any notable first-half moments, but found himself all over the pitch pressuring the ball.
Withdrawn on the hour mark without having put in a strong performance, but a solid one nonetheless.
MORE:A thin midfield leaves USMNT dangerously exposed in 2026 World Cup journey
RW — Sergino Dest: 8
Extremely active throughout the first half, to moderate success. Nearly got behind the Germany back line 10 minutes in on a ball from Christian Pulisic but couldn’t quite out-muscle 22-year-old Nathaniel Brown.
Needs to show more awareness and strength, as he was caught from behind multiple times and dispossessed. Didn’t notice that Folarin Balogun was sending a cross along the face of goal in the 39th minute, should have been there at the back post to meet it as he did against Senegal.
Cooked in the 42nd minute and nearly worked a good shot from a tight angle but put it over the crossbar. Led a good counter-attack in first-half stoppage time but saw the window to Folarin Balogun too late and failed to get off a good shot.
ACM — Malik Tillman: 7
Was good combining with the players in front of him, progressing the ball well throughout the first half. Pressed well alongside Weston McKennie.
Played a gorgeous feed for Christian Pulisic in the 44th minute that nearly resulted in a goal. Sprung a counter-attack with some excellent pressing that forced a Germany turnover early in the second half.
LW — Christian Pulisic: 7
Fed a brilliant ball forward to Sergino Dest in the 10th minute on a strong counter-attack. Got into the attack again as he drove forward and found Folarin Balogun vertically before his cross was out of reach of Sergino Dest.
Had a lot less volume than he did against Senegal, unsurprisingly, but was effective when he got on the ball. Dropped deep on occasion to receive the ball and charge forward to run the attack, and was effective in doing so nearly every time. Almost sat two defenders down in the 44th minute but had his shot blocked behind for a corner at the final moment.
A poor touch in the 55th minute ruined a good attacking moment as he tried to bring down a long delivery.
FWD — Folarin Balogun: 7
Got involved early, pinging a cross to Sergino Dest that almost resulted in a goal but eventually squeaked through the trees. Drove powerfully against Jonathan Tah to get a shot off that resulted in a 16th-minute corner.
Did brilliantly in the 18th minute to keep attacking possession with a strong shoulder-to-shoulder challenge on the touchline after Dest had given the ball away. Failed to see Weston McKennie running completely free on the weak side of an early second-half counter-attack.
USMNT substitutes vs. Germany
Auston Trusty (62′): 6
Came on for Antonee Robinson just past the hour mark. Put in a bad spot, as he was going to enter for Tim Ream until Jedi was forced off at the last moment with muscle discomfort, forcing Trusty to play out wide for a bit.
A little bit loose with his passing, just 24/30, which would be worrying for a center-back, but he gets a pass for playing a bit out of position. Managed to get involved in possessional build-up a bit, which was nice to see.
Mark McKenzie (62′): 7
Came on for Miles Robinson just past the hour mark. Very safe passing (29/32), and logged four defensive contributions as they held Germany off the board for the final half-hour of the match.
Sebastian Berhalter (62′): 7
Came on for Weston McKennie just past the hour mark. Safe in possession and absolutely cooked Waldemar Anton with a silky, Ronaldinho-like move on the touchline.
Gio Reyna (62′): 6
Came on for Christian Pulisic just past the hour mark. Nothing flashy, but involved in moves up front, logging five touches in the opposition box and five more passes in the final third.
Max Arfsten (72′): 5
Came on for Tim Ream with 18 minutes to go, allowing Auston Trusty to move centrally. Didn’t provide his usual attacking flair, failing to connect with his two crosses and unable to lift the forward line from his wing-back position.
Joe Scally (72′): 6
Came on for Alex Freeman with 18 minutes to go. Delivered a dangerous strike in the 81st minute which forced a smart save from the Germany goalkeeper.
Tim Weah (72′): 5
Came on for Sergino Dest with 18 minutes to go. Failed to provide too much going forward, and committed a silly foul in the 85th minute with a weak shove into the back of a defender. Got a yellow card towards the end of the match for losing his cool a bit, which will give USMNT fans some PTSD. Delivered a thumping but legal two-footed challenge late in stoppage time that got the ball but angered German players anyways.
Ricardo Pepi (72′): 5
Came on for Folarin Balogun with 18 minutes to go. Didn’t manage to really get himself stuck into the match in his familiar substitute role.
Cristian Roldan (72′): 5
Came on for Tyler Adams with 18 minutes to go. Hardly involved, with just eight touches through his 18 minutes.
Brenden Aaronson (72′): 6
Came on for Malik Tillman with 18 minutes to go. Was quite for most of his appearance, but popped up with three minutes to go as he drove at his defender on the ball and unleashed a fantastic rip that required a world-class save to keep out of the net.
USMNT coach vs. Germany
Mauricio Pochettino: 8
Very similar to the Senegal win, Mauricio Pochettino gets a strong grade as his tactical setup worked extremely well, and his pressing structure caused Germany serious problems throughout most of the match, especially in the first half when the U.S. was the better side.
The biggest problem for Mauricio Pochettino is the individual errors, most of which have been made by the U.S. center-back pairing. Today, Miles Robinson was abysmal, at least partly at fault for both of Germany’s goals. Robinson isn’t likely to play much at the World Cup, with Chris Richards likely to come back from injury, but the lack of any significant depth at the position is alarming, and Pochettino exacerbated that issue with his roster selection.
Pochettino gets credit for his excellent tactical setup that has put the U.S. in great position to maximize their talent, but he also must be held accountable for the roster selection which leaves this team extremely vulnerable.
