Stats from fotmob.com, Opta and Fifa; players listed in order of minutes played.
Weston McKennie, center/attacking midfield (Juventus)
Five starts, 444 minutes
Guardian ratings: 7-7-7-7-5
The only player to start all five games led the team in chances created (eight), though Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter and the lightly used Brenden Aaronson created more per 90 minutes. Covered an exhausting 57,573m in five games. Of the “Golden Generation” players on the roster, he and running mate Tyler Adams were the most golden. Grade: A-
Alex Freeman, right-back/center-back (Villarreal)
Four starts, one sub, 373 minutes, one goal, one assist
Guardian ratings: 7-8-5-7-5
Not in the picture a couple of years ago, and US fans have to be thrilled that the 21-year-old now has the experience of a World Cup (and a memorable World Cup goal celebration) to draw upon. Led the team with 14 tackles, 3.4 per game. Led the team’s first-choice players in percentage of duels won both on the ground (67.6%) and in the air (73.7%). Solid debut, very bright future. Grade: A-
Matt Freese, goalkeeper (New York City FC)
Four starts, 360 minutes, eight saves, five goals allowed
Guardian ratings: 6-6-x-6-2
One of very few players on this team to have never played in Europe and one who only joined the national team pool last year. His inexperience proved costly against Belgium, when he came way out of his box and hesitated to clear the ball, allowing the Red Devils to dispossess him and shoot into the nearly open goal 25 yards behind him. On the positive side: he made some decent saves in that game and had a solid performance in gritting out a clean sheet against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Grade: C
Chris Richards, center-back (Crystal Palace)
Four starts, 360 minutes
Guardian ratings: 8-7-x-6-4
The best bit of luck the USA had, apart from a relatively easy draw, was learning that Richards would be fit to play. His stats bordered on the impossible, especially his 100% completion rate on 84 passes against Paraguay. He led the team in defensive contributions, total (41) and per 90 (10.3). The lion’s share of those were clearances (28), and many of them were vital. His Cup ended on a low note, embarrassed by Romelu Lukaku, but by any objective measure, he was one of the USA’s top players. Grade: B+
Tim Ream, center-back (Charlotte FC)
Four starts, 360 minutes
Guardian ratings: 6-7-x-6-4
One of many US players over the years who have excelled at Fulham, the 38-year-old captain completed almost as many passes (70.5 per 90 min) as Richards with a slightly lower percentage (91.6%). He was forced into too many foot races and had the misfortune of seeing Belgium’s third goal sail past him as he attempted to cover for his stranded goalkeeper, but in his first three games, he was solid. Grade: B
Malik Tillman, center/attacking midfield (Bayer Leverkusen)
Four starts, one sub, 356 minutes, two goals, one assist
Guardian ratings: 7-7-6-8-7
Faced with a free-kick just outside the area, Tillman saw Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense daring him to try to get the ball over the wall and in. He did it. Then he did it again five days later with a deflected free-kick that briefly drew the USA level with Belgium. Seven chances created. He showed stealthy ball-winning ability, tying with Robinson for possessions won (23). Grade: A-
Antonee Robinson, left-back/midfield (Fulham)
Four starts, 349 minutes
Guardian ratings: 6-7-x-6-6
The one they call “Jedi” had the Force on his side as an attacking force, and US fans may reasonably wonder if things would have played out differently if he and Pulisic had been able to maintain the menacing play on the left flank they showed against Paraguay. He didn’t neglect his defensive work – tied for second in defensive contributions per 90 minutes (9.0) and tied for first in possessions won (23). Grade: B
Tyler Adams, center midfield (Bournemouth)
Four starts, 342 minutes
Guardian ratings: 7-7-x-6-6
The stats back up the argument that Adams is the best two-way player on the team. He completed 55.3 passes per 90 minutes at an excellent 89.4% completion rate. He had a team-high 30 forced turnovers. He maintained his poise in the midst of fierce midfield battles. The Turkey game showed how much he’s missed when he’s not in the lineup. Grade: A-
Folarin Balogun, forward (Monaco)
Four starts, 314 minutes, three goals
Guardian ratings: 8-7-x-7-6
Any parents looking for role models for their kids could do a lot worse than Balogun, who showed extraordinary grace after receiving a harsh red card and being bailed out in murky circumstances beyond his control. On the field, he was spectacular against Paraguay and remained dangerous in every other appearance. In addition to being a consistent threat offensively, he was second on the team in forced turnovers (29) behind Adams. Can you imagine how devastating the England attack would be had he opted to represent them over the USA? Grade: A
Sergiño Dest, right wing/midfield (PSV Eindhoven)
Four starts, one sub, 298 minutes
Guardian ratings: 6-6-6-7-4
The fiery player listed as a defender but mostly freed of defensive duties in Mauricio Pochettino’s lineup ran hot and cold. Few left-backs in the world will see him across the field and think they’re in for an easy night. But his decision-making isn’t always the best. Grade: B
Christian Pulisic, left wing/midfield/forward (Milan)
Three starts, one sub, 224 minutes, one assist
Guardian ratings: 8-x-6-6-4
This World Cup was a microcosm of Pulisic’s career. One stretch of world-class play (first half v Paraguay). A nagging injury (rest of the group stage). A return with more flashes of brilliance (last 32). Then an unexplained slump (last 16) and a new injury. He completed 87.3% of his passes, pretty good for someone who does most of his passing under heavy pressure, but created only three chances. Grade: B
Ricardo Pepi, forward (PSV Eindhoven)
Two starts, three subs, 202 minutes
Guardian ratings: 6-6-5-6-6
Not really a factor in his two starts, but he showed enough attacking intent in his substitute appearances to make teams wary of a counterattacking threat. Brought on at half-time against Belgium but was starved of service. Grade: B-
Sebastian Berhalter, center midfield (Vancouver Whitecaps)
One start, four subs, 185 minutes, one goal, one assist
Guardian ratings: 6-6-8-6-6
Few US players enhanced their reputation as much as the son of former US manager Gregg Berhalter, especially when given a chance to start. He was third in completed passes per 90 minutes (56.4) and led the team in chances created per 90 minutes (3.4). One of few MLS players to get significant time at this tournament, he should have some suitors lined up after showing poise, creativity and grit. Grade: B+
Gio Reyna, center/attacking midfield (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
One start, four subs, 131 minutes, one goal
Guardian ratings: 7-6-5-6-6
Getting past the drama of 2022 is a massive accomplishment. His goal against Paraguay was a shining moment of explosiveness and skill. He didn’t have much of an impact in his lone start, but the mere fact that he was able to contribute with no indication of unpleasantness will reassure US fans that he’ll be a viable option for years to come. Grade: B
Auston Trusty, left-back/center-back (Celtic)
One start, one sub, 100 minutes, one goal
Guardian ratings: x-6-7-x-x
Pochettino opted for four new defenders against Turkey, and Trusty was the only one who acquitted himself well. If not for a late injury when the USA ran out of subs, he may have been able to prevent Turkey from scoring the game-winning goal. Grade: B
Miles Robinson, center-back (FC Cincinnati)
One start, 90 minutes
Guardian ratings: x-x-5-x-x
A bit erratic in his lone game against Turkey, but he had a few good moments and 11 clearances. He can finally call himself a World Cup veteran after an achilles injury ruined his chances at playing in 2022. Grade: C
Mark McKenzie, center-back (Toulouse)
One start, 90 minutes
Guardian ratings: x-x-5-x-x
As with Robinson, the veteran center-back got a well-deserved bow on the sport’s biggest stage after years of service to the national team, and no one will begrudge him that. Struggled a bit, but the experience will do him good as he contends for the role of Ream’s eventual replacement. Grade: C
Matt Turner, goalkeeper (New England Revolution)
One start, 90 minutes
Guardian ratings: x-x-4-x-x
The 2022 starter has had a few career setbacks in the past four years, and his only playing time here was in the dead-rubber match against Turkey. He didn’t register a save and conceded three goals, though the second-string defense in front of him and the confusion while dealing with an injured player late in the game didn’t help. Grade: C
Joe Scally, right-back (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
One start, one sub, 87 minutes
Guardian ratings: x-6-5-x-x
Hasn’t really managed to duplicate his club success with the national team, but he had a solid brief run as a sub against Australia. The Turkey game just didn’t make any of the defenders look good. Grade: B
Brenden Aaronson, right wing (Leeds)
One start, 77 minutes
Guardian ratings: x-x-5-x-x
Completed 95% of his passes in his lone game but was unable to take advantage of some opportunities. Was an unused sub in situations that one would think suitable for him. Grade: B or maybe incomplete
Tim Weah, left wing/right wing-back (Marseille)
One start, one sub, 76 minutes
Guardian ratings: 6-x-5-x-x
After the 2022 World Cup, Weah seemed a sure bet to be one of the key players on the national team for many years to come. For whatever reason, it hasn’t happened. The Turkey game was essentially an audition for him to be an early substitute in the knockout rounds, and his touch deserted him. Still young enough to put it back together. Grade: C+
Not rated:
Alex Zendejas, right wing (13 minutes)
Haji Wright, forward (2 minutes)
Max Arfsten, left back (1 minute)
Chris Brady, goalkeeper (did not play)
Cristian Roldan, midfield (injured)
US fans may well wonder if the mercurial Wright could have made a difference if Pochettino hadn’t waited so long to introduce him.
Mauricio Pochettino, manager
Fans chanted his name after victories. He learned the words to Country Roads. He has embraced the USA, and the USA have embraced him. His tactics were spot-on in the three wins. But he was outfoxed by Belgium manager Rudi Garcia and failed to adjust a lineup that exposed center-backs Ream and Richards. His decision to delay substitutions was nearly costly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and he again was slow to reach for the bench in the loss to Belgium, never summoning Weah and leaving Wright to make a pointless cameo. A key tenet of the US mindset: if you’re losing, go out swinging. Grade: B+
Federation
Two years ago, US Soccer voted to start paying its president, which had been a volunteer role to that point. Cindy Cone deserves every penny. She resolved the labor strife with the men’s and women’s national teams. That required a significant outlay of money, but she and CEO JT Batson have built up the revenue streams to compensate. The oft-fractious organization re-elected her this year without opposition. The seat next to Gianni Infantino may be unavoidable, but pricing out some of the team’s most loyal fans is difficult to excuse. And the Balogun controversy squandered all the goodwill the team had earned, domestically and internationally. The irony that Donald Trump had worked so hard to eliminate the citizenship pathway that made Balogun eligible is the tip of the immigration iceberg. In this country, the sport was built up and kept alive by immigrant families, who still account for the bulk of the talent pool and fanbase. The sport needs a melting pot, not a silver spoon. The federation forgot that this summer. Grade: C-
Fans
Having celebrities at games is neat. Sure. And congratulations to all the people with enough disposable income to afford good seats. But the team didn’t need all that. The problem is summed up neatly in one sentence on the website of the American Outlaws supporters group: “We realize this prices a lot of members out of this World Cup and prevents them from the option of the discounted Supporters tickets, which is not what we were hoping for.” A wine-and-cheese crowd is a poor substitute for diehard fans who can do more than chant “U! S! A!” Grade: D for the newbies, A++ for the diehards who made it and will still be there for the Gold Cup, Nations League and gritty qualifiers for 2030
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