Player Ratings: USMNT World Cup Comes to a Close with Loss to Belgium

Seattle, WA- The USMNT World Cup has once again come to an end in the Round of 16 at the hands of a stronger, more organized, European side. 

It was a match marred by controversy, with Balogun’s red card being reversed by FIFA. 

The 2014 World Cup rematch couldn’t have gone worse for the U.S. They looked a shadow of their former selves. Folarin Balogun got the start, Christian Pulisic was in the lineup, and the backline remained unchanged.

It was a 3-5-2 formation as Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked to bring the game to Belgium. The Americans came out flat and were immediately punished for it. 

The Belgians took the lead in the ninth minute before Tillman responded. 60 seconds later, the U.S. conceded again before two nightmare defensive mistakes resulted in one of the most bitter defeats on home soil. 

Matt Freese

A nightmare mistake, one he’ll remember for the rest of his career. Three goals conceded and an abysmal performance from Freese, who’s otherwise been solid the entire tournament. On the two goals, there wasn’t much he could do, but the third goal is nearly unforgivable. It was a crucial mistake, giving momentum to Belgium and all but putting the game out of reach. 3/10

Alex Freeman

Freeman was a shadow of himself against Belgium. Like the rest of the U.S. backline, he was hesitant in moments and defended poorly at times. Going forward, he wasn’t creative, gave possession up, and left spaces open for Belgium to counter-attack. 4/10

Chris Richards

A disappointing end to an otherwise strong USMNT World Cup from the Crystal Palace defender. On the first and second goal, he’s hesitant and is beaten in the air. It’s his mistake on the fourth goal that allows Lukaku on the scoresheet. 4/10

Tim Ream 

It won’t be the way the veteran defender wanted to possibly end his career. In possession, Ream looked nervous and shaky. Off it, he never fully switched on. The first goal, he gets caught ball watching as it slips past him for a tap in opener. The second goal, he didn’t do well enough to clear the header. A disappointing defensive performance all around. 4/10

Sergino Dest

Dest featured out wide for the U.S. again. Throughout the tournament, he’s been bright, dynamic, and creative going forward. Against Belgium, he lost possession far too much and wasn’t nearly creative enough. Defensively, he allowed Belgium to quickly counter. Dest was off the pitch after 45 minutes. 4/10

Weston McKennie

McKennie was back into the lineup. He played every minute leading up to the crucial game against Belgium. It’s a possibility the minutes finally caught up. The midfield was overrun and didn’t carry a clear presence. Going forward, McKennie lacked the final quality on the ball. 5/10

Tyler Adams

It wasn’t good enough on the night from the defensive midfielder. Adams overplayed at times and gave the ball up far too easily. There were several 50/50 balls he missed out on and moments where he lacked creativity. 5/10

Malik Tillman

Got the USMNT’s only goal of the game and his work rate was exceptional. Tillman continued to run, work, and attempt to create despite the odds being against the U.S. He seemed to be everywhere in and out of possession. One of the bright spots on the American side. 6/10 man of the match

Antonee Robinson

A decent performance despite the result from Robinson. He defended as well as he could and was energetic going forward. Although the U.S. was out of ideas going forward, Robinson added some spark and reacted well to the goals conceded. 6/10

Christian Pulisic 

It was a disappointing home World Cup for the face of this generation. He was unplayable in the U.S. opener, picked up a calf injury, returned, and couldn’t be the spark for the Americans. He lost possession of the ball 11 times in the first 45 minutes and was subbed out for an injury in the second half. 5/10

Folarin Balogun 

After the Bosnia and Herzegovina match, Balogun was not expected to be eligible to play against Belgium. After a controversial 36 hours involving a suspension of his red card, he got the start. He was widely ineffective, having the one chance that was shot directly at Thibaut Courtois. 5/10

Substitutes

Gio Reyna 

Reyna entered for Dest at halftime. He wasn’t enough to energize the USMNT World Cup comeback. He added some pace and quality going forward, but after the third goal, it was too little too late. 5/10

Sebastian Berhalter

Berhalter entered for Pulisic at the top of the hour. He was subbed in to add some energy and allow the U.S. to get back into the game. Berhalter got on the ball, created some opportunity, but he wasn’t impactful enough. 5/10

Ricardo Pepi

Pepi was in for Adams in the 72nd minute. Pochettino had to go for it at this point, but Pepi struggled to get on the ball and threaten the Belgian defense. A disappointing substitution for him. 5/10

Haji Wright, Max Arfsten subbed on too late to be judged fairly

Mauricio Pochettino 

 It’s another end to a World Cup for the USMNT and again there’s more questions than answers. The U.S. played exciting, free flowing soccer prior to the Belgium match. Whether the controversy with Balogun affected the squad more is a question for another day. 

It was an abysmal performance and a humiliating way to exit the World Cup. There were far too many defensive mistakes and the offense looked completely off it. 

The home World Cup was a massive opportunity to move U.S soccer forward, and instead, Pochettino and the U.S are left in a place all too familiar. It’s another Round of 16 exit and the U.S as a squad and tactically were nowhere near Belgium or top European sides in this World Cup.

Now, where does American soccer go from here? Will Pochettino stay as head coach, or is it time to move on? Only time will tell where the USMNT go on from here. 6/10

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