McKennie and Tillman Lead the Pack as USMNT Player Ratings Reveal Mixed Bag
The United States men's national team bowed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in frustrating fashion, but individual performances varied widely. While Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman earned high marks for their tireless work and moments of magic, star names Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest fell well short of expectations. Here are the full player ratings, based on Guardian grades and advanced stats from Fotmob, Opta, and FIFA.
Top Performers
Weston McKennie (A-)
The Juventus midfielder was the only U. S. player to start all five matches, logging 444 minutes and leading the team in chances created (eight). He covered a staggering 57,573 meters and was consistently rated 7 out of 10 in all but the final game. Alongside Tyler Adams, McKennie reinforced his status as the heart of this generation.
"Of the 'Golden Generation' players on the roster, he and running mate Tyler Adams were the most golden," The Guardian noted.
Malik Tillman (A-)
The Bayer Leverkusen attacker delivered two stunning free-kick goals — one against Bosnia and Herzegovina and another to briefly equalize against Belgium. In 356 minutes, he also contributed an assist and won possession 23 times, tying for the team lead. His stealthy ball-winning and set-piece prowess made him a breakout star.
Alex Freeman (A-)
At just 21 years old, the Villarreal full-back made a huge World Cup impression. He led the team with 14 tackles and posted elite duel-winning percentages (67.6% on ground, 73.7% in air). His goal and celebration against Paraguay will live long in memory, marking a stellar debut.
Room for Improvement
Christian Pulisic (C)
The face of the USMNT struggled to impose himself throughout the tournament. Deployed on the left wing, Pulisic failed to register a goal or assist in five appearances and was often kept quiet by disciplined defenses. His link-up with Antonee Robinson showed promise only sporadically.
Sergiño Dest (D)
Defensive lapses and an inability to impact the final third defined Dest's World Cup. The Barcelona loanee was targeted by opponents and offered little going forward, earning the lowest ratings among regular starters. His early struggles set a nervous tone for the backline.
Matt Freese (C)
The New York City FC goalkeeper’s inexperience showed in a critical error against Belgium, where he vacated his box and allowed a gift goal. He did manage a clean sheet versus Bosnia, but the grade reflects a tournament of inconsistency.
Key Takeaways
- McKennie and Tillman emerged as the team’s most reliable performers, with Tillman’s free-kick artistry a highlight.
- Chris Richards (B+) was a statistical monster, completing 100% of his passes against Paraguay and leading in defensive contributions.
- Pulisic and Dest, expected to carry the attack, floundered — raising questions about the team’s tactical setup.
- The young core (Freeman, Tillman) offers hope, but the "Golden Generation" failed to deliver a deep run.
- Pochettino’s future is now the biggest storyline, as U. S. Soccer weighs the next World Cup cycle.
Quick Facts
Minutes leader: Weston McKennie (444)
Most tackles: Alex Freeman (14)
Pass accuracy: Chris Richards (100% vs Paraguay)
Free-kick goals: Malik Tillman (2)
Guardian ratings range: 2 (Matt Freese vs Belgium) to 8 (Richards vs Paraguay, Tillman vs Belgium)
Ratings and stats sourced from The Guardian, fotmob. com, Opta, and FIFA.