USA 2-0 Australia: World Cup 2026 Group D Player Ratings
USA Player Ratings
Matt Freese Tested even less than he had been against Paraguay, though some timidness about leaving his line to sweep and claim crosses projects worrying command of his area. 6
Tim Ream Engineer of plenty of good efforts up the left and often involved in the defensive half. Another credible captain’s shift. 7
Chris Richards Not quite perfect on the pass again, but just about as he stewarded sequences. Needless late challenge puts him in yellow card limbo. 7
Alex Freeman Vertical prowess must run in the family. Another balanced all-around shift, this time with a goal to show for it. Star in the making kind of stuff. 8
Antonee Robinson Kept ball fizzing up the left touchline with seven progressive passes. Provided width for Balogun’s run on opener, but now on yellow card watch. 7
Tyler Adams In his bag operating behind a pair of box-to-box midfielders like he did for Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth. Kept Australia from making good progress in central third throughout. 7
Sergiño Dest Took the initial shot that was lobbed into Freeman’s zone on second goal. Good interplay with McKennie along the right to keep two-sided balance. 6
Weston McKennie Relished in another more advanced shift: six progressive passes, eight progressive receptions, and four passes into the box, per Futi. Some dazzling footwork with Dest in moments. 7
Malik Tillman Another composed shift with tidy recirculation and progression in spades. Quick tricky to dispossess, leading to more opposing yellow card cautions to limit Socceroos. 7
Folarin Balogun His incisive run up the channel was rewarded with another own goal opener. Held his own as Australia upped physicality in second half; rent-free in Australian heads throughout. 7
Ricardo Pepi A surprise starter who thwarted Australia’s plans and shape, but unable to place either shot on target. Was industrious off the ball as the more hard-yards complement to Balogun. 6
Australia Player Ratings
Patrick Beach Should have defended his front post better for the opening goal, but was abandoned by his defenders for the second. 6
Harry Souttar Made a few crucial blocks as the anchoring centre-back, but didn’t use his height to any advantage during Australia’s rare attacking set pieces. Prevented any major chances in the second-half. 6
Cameron Burgess Clattered the ball into his own net for the opening goal, ball-watched for the second. Came off at half-time. 5
Alessandro Circati Picked up Australia’s second yellow card for a high boot but otherwise defended stoically. Made a desperate diving block to prevent a third goal early in the second half. 6
Jacob Italiano Was beaten on too many occasions by USA’s wide players in the first half, but showed a bit more creativity when pushing further forward in the final 30 minutes. 5
Jordan Bos Earned the game’s first yellow card for shoving McKennie in the face, and was regularly beaten down the wing. Offered very little in attack. 5
Aiden O’Neill Was isolated and overwhelmed in midfield for most of the game, and failed to control the tempo or connect key passes. 5
Paul Okon-Engstler Struggled to assert himself physically for the first 70 minutes and lost too many one-on-one challenges. 5
Nishan Velupillay Spent most of his time defending and didn’t provide any transitional outlets on the rare occasions Australia had the ball. Was pulled at half-time. 5