USMNT player ratings: No Pulisic, no problem as Yanks cruise past Australia

The USMNT is through to the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup after improving to 2-0-0 with a 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday, and the American fans are starting to believe in their boys — and with very good reason. USA 2-0 AUSTRALIA — Video highlights & recap Folarin Balogun is a genuine star at center forward, Chris Richards is the undisputed big dog in defense, and Christian Pulisic's absence (calf injury) was hardly felt by the USMNT. USMNT player ratings vs Australia in World Cup game no. 2 Matt Freese : 6.5 - Only had to make two saves (one in the opening seconds) and that's a credit to his defense because they headed and booted away 15 of the 18 crosses that Australia attempted. Alex Freeman : 8 - Who had a 20-year-old right back from Orlando City being one of the most important players of this World Cup cycle? Mauricio Pochettino did, and no one else. It's not just the goal, but it's the flexibility and versatility he brings to the backline. He can defend open space very well as a wide center back, but he can still carry the ball forward like a full back. Absolute game-changer. Chris Richards : 8 - Someone had to be a giant in the air when Australia pinned the USMNT in their end and swung cross after cross into the box, and Richards was one of them (4 headed clearances). Tim Ream : 7 - He was the other one (5 headed clear), and only got isolated once or twice in space against pace. There's a difference between being beaten in behind, and getting stuck in your own penalty area. This U.S. defense is built for the latter, not the former. Sergiño Dest : 7.5 - He's healthy, he's fit, he's sharp. He's bloody brilliant, and he's playing almost exclusively in the find third now. Once a luxury player, now an irreplaceable creator. Tyler Adams : 7 - Winning second balls had to be a massive emphasis point for the USMNT against Australia, knowing they would go long and that Richards and Ream would be ready to deal with the initial threat. 7 recoveries, to go with 4 tackles and 4 interceptions. Weston McKennie : 7 - More chances created (3) than any player for either side, and was fantastic combining with Dest down the right. Antonee Robinson : 7 - Didn't have to be brilliant in the opener against Paraguay, but was a constant source of final-third penetration. Without Christian Pulisic ahead of him to dribble defenders every time he's on the ball, Robinson was the man to keep the width and present danger down the left, which he did very well in the first half. Malik Tillman : 7.5 - The other player tasked with picking up Pulisic's slack on the left, and what a game he had. The left channel was clearly a major target for the USMNT in the first half as Robinson and Ream looked to pump the ball in there every time they could. Ricardo Pepi : 6.5 - The opening goal would have been his if not for Cameron Burgess's unfortunate (for him) intervention. Pepi was otherwise smart, if not safe, with the ball. Folarin Balogun : 7.5 - Technically doesn't get credited with an assist for the own goal, but it was all him. The run, the carry, the vision and execution to put it in an impossibly dangerous spot. Balogun was one poor touch (51st-minute breakaway away from scoring in back-to-back games. Sebastian Berhalter (sub) : 6 - A bit slow to find his footing immediately after coming on in both games (understandable, given the tempo and back-and-forth nature), but those are the moments that, should he enter a similar situation in the knockout rounds, could spell the end for the USMNT. One bad giveaway, one extra touch is all it takes against the best of the best. Joe Scally (sub) : 6 - Brought energy off the bench when the game was beginning to slip away and get chippy. Could perhaps play the "Freeman role" in a pinch? Auston Trusty (sub) : 6.5 - An astute substitute by Pochettino, putting more size and aerial presence on the outside when Australia were finding joy with long diagonals out to the wing. Gio Reyna (sub) : N/A - 95th-minute chance for McKennie. Haji Wright (sub) : N/A - 95th-minute chance for Balogun.