USMNT player ratings: Outplayed by Belgium in Atlanta

The first of two high-profile friendly fixtures for USMNT ended in disappointment, losing 2-5 to Belgium in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a tough outing for the United States team, who will look to pick themselves up before Tuesday’s game against Portugal.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino went with a largely first-choice starting XI, looking to build on the momentum from positive results in late 2025. The pregame expectations were high with more than 66,000 fans packed into the vast Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but few of them will have left feeling reassured about the USMNT’s World Cup chances.

USMNT player ratings

Matt Turner - Made a good early save when a De Bruyne shot took a deflection and spun dangerously towards goal. A poor pass was nearly punished when De Ketelaere found the back of the net in the 37th minute but the play was pulled back for a handball. His performance will be remembered for allowing a 35-yard strike from Debast to skip past him and into the back of the net. 5/10

Antonee Robinson - Forced a sharp early save from Lammens with a well-struck shot from distance. He was the US’ best attacking outlet in the first half and showed his quality with a string of teasing crosses into the box. 7/10

Mark McKenzie - Took a back seat to Ream for much of the game but did little wrong. Looked a more natural fit in the central defensive role than either Scally or Freeman and probably did enough to retain his place. 6/10

Tim Ream - Showed his experience and looked at home in the US’ hybrid back-four/back-three system. There had been some doubts over his position in the team but his performance on Saturday was solid. Penalized for an unfortunate, but undeniable, handball in the area for Belgium’s second goal. 7/10

Tim Weah - The converted right-back acquitted himself fairly well against the livewire Doku. Delivered a teasing cross on the 30th minute that nearly provided an opening for the US but was less able to get forward as the game went on. 6/10

Tanner Tessman - Deployed just in front of the USMNT defense, Tessman had plenty of opportunity to get on the ball but didn’t do a huge amount to add an attacking impetus to the hosts’ play. Withdrawn on the hour-mark having not had any major involvement. 5/10

Johnny Cardoso - Made an important early intervention to stop De Bruyne on a dangerous counter-attack. Composed on the ball under pressure. Put in one of his better showings for USMNT but subbed for Roldan at half time. 6/10

Weston McKennie - Booked for an early foul on Doku. Should have opened the scoring with a one-on-one in the 17th minute. Made no mistake 30 minutes later, poking home from close range to put the hosts ahead. 7/10

Christian Pulisic - Struggled to get into the game in the first half and was let down by a few loose touches in the midfield. Showed brilliant feet on 51 minutes, dancing through the Belgian defense before ballooning his effort over the crossbar. Grew into the game in the second half and became the US’ main offensive threat. 6/10

Malik Tillman - Linked up well with Robinson in the early stages, giving the Fulham player chance to push up. A clever early through ball to Balogun showed Tillman’s eye for a pass but he struggled to utilize his dynamism across the game. 6/10

Folarin Balogun - Led the line fairly well in the first half, combining nicely with Robinson and Tilman at times, but faded into anonymity in the second. A disappointment for Pochettino’s first-choice striker. 5/10

USMNT substitutes

Christian Roldan - Industrious after being brought on at half time but the team’s performance level dropped. Probably not his fault. 6/10

Max Arfsen - Beaten to easily for Lukebakio’s goal, Belgium’s fourth. 4/10

Sebastian Berhalter - Ball got stuck in his feet for Belgium’s fifth goal. Did nothing to suggest he deserves a starting berth. 5/10

Patrick Agyemang - Deployed on the left wing, struggled to get into the game. Had one clear chance with a head but couldn’t beat Lammens. Pounced late on to score the US’ second from close range. 6/10

Ricardo Pepi - Won the ball for Agyemang’s late goal did little else during his time on the field. 6/10

Alex Freeman - N/A

Joe Scally - N/A

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