Live USMNT player ratings vs. Germany: Grades for USA team in final 2026 World Cup tuneup friendly

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Live USMNT player ratings vs. Germany: Grades for USA team in final 2026 World Cup tuneup friendly originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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The United States men are almost at the starting gate for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take on global soccer superpower Germany in their final pre-tournament friendly Saturday from Soldier Field in Chicago.

The USMNT is six days away from their first World Cup match, where they will open Group D play against Paraguay on June 12.

Mauricio Pochettino led the side to a 3-2 victory over recent AFCON finalists Senegal last Sunday, as they looked strong in the attack but vulnerable at the back.

Now, they must navigate this difficult task against the 10th-ranked side in the world, where they will test their mettle against one of the most formidable squads of any team around the globe. With the USMNT hoping to challenge for a quarterfinal spot — or better — on home soil this summer, a strong performance today would be a quality litmus test of their credentials for such a result.

The Sporting News brings you live player ratings for the match as it progresses, 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 live score

Location: Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)

USMNT starting lineup:

USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 12. M. Robinson, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 4. Adams, 8. McKennie — 2. Dest, 17. Tillman, 10. Pulisic — 20. Balogun

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 early in the second half to deny Felix Nmecha after a broken play resulted in a Germany counter.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

RCB — Miles Robinson: 4

Failed to track Kai Havertz on Germany's early set-piece goal.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

LCB — Tim Ream: 5

Was left in no-man's land when Kai 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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

DCM — Tyler Adams: 7

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. Had one 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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

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.

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses.

USMNT substitutes vs. Germany

This section will be updated with analysis throughout the match as the game progresses and substitutes enter the match.

USMNT coach vs. Germany

Mauricio Pochettino: Rating pending

This section will be updated after the match is concluded with analysis from the performance of the USMNT head coach.

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