USMNT player ratings vs. Paraguay: Live grades for each member of USA in 2026 World Cup opener

The United States have begun their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey as they take on Group D opponents Paraguay in their opening match of the summer competition.

After four years of waiting, two years of preparation under Mauricio Pochettino, and a pair of strong performances against Senegal and Germany in their warm-up matches, the games now count and their World Cup hangs on every minute of on-field action.

With Tim Ream as captain and Christian Pulisic the attacking star, the U.S. will play its first World Cup match on home soil in 32 years. 

The Sporting News brings you a full list of player ratings for the match, analyzing the USMNT's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

MORE: How three 1994 USMNT legends hope the USMNT gets its grit back

USA vs. Paraguay score

Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Referee: Danny Makkiele (NED)

USMNT starting lineup:

USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 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: Player ratings from the USMNT victory over Senegal | Ratings for friendly defeat to Germany

USMNT player ratings vs. Paraguay

This starting lineup for the UMSNT against Paraguay was almost identical to the XI deployed against Germany in the final tune-up friendly last weekend. The only difference is that Chris Richards, now recovered from his ankle injury, slots in for Miles Robinson along the back.

All ratings are on a 10-point scale

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Starters

GK — Matt Freese: 6

After an early intervention just a minute into the match, Matt Freese was nothing more than a passenger through the first half, and that's just the way they like it.

Had one safe moment where he came off his line strong to collect a Miguel Almiron free-kick in first-half stoppage time.

RB — Alex Freeman: 8

A very safe presence both on and off the ball, with 50 touches in the first half where he hardly put a foot wrong.

RCB — Chris Richards: 8

Active early repelling any Paraguay sights on the six-yard box. Also managed to get forward on set pieces and provide an aerial threat repeatedly, coming inches away from a goal in the 38th minute when he put a corner agonizingly wide with his head.

LCB — Tim Ream: 7

Compared to the warm-up friendlies, where Ream seemed shaky at best, he was very calm and collected to begin World Cup play. His inventiveness was impressive, as he headed a ball over to Alex Freeman when under pressure from the Paraguay press in the 23rd minute.

Had a nervy moment in the 45th minute where he slipped, but Paraguay couldn't take advantage.

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LB — Antonee Robinson: 7

With Christian Pulisic cooking on the left wing, Jedi was largely an afterthought in possession for the U.S early on. That's not an insult, but simply a product of the game state.

That changed, however, on the half-hour mark as Robinson's exceptional vertical ball sprung Pulisic to begin the move that resulted in the second USA goal. At that point, he started to get forward more and try to occupy the space on the wing vacated by Pulisic running at defenders and cutting inside.

DCM — Tyler Adams: 7

Logged his usual active midfield performance, as he was a constant problem for Paraguay breaking up counter-attacks in the middle of the pitch. With Paraguay sinking back into a lower and lower block throughout the first half, Adams began to get forward more as they needed his shielding presence less.

CM — Malik Tillman: 7

Playing in a deeper role than usual, he was effective in progressing the ball forward. Had a delicious flick to Weston McKennie in the 21st minute that nearly sprung an attacking moment. Looked to be limping just before the first-half hydration break, but played through whatever was bothering him.

RW — Sergino Dest: 6

Moving well up and down the pitch. Flubbed a wide-open chance in the 17th minute as he received a square pass from Folarin Balogun but took a very heavy touch which took him too close to the goalkeeper and end line for him to do anything with it.

ACM — Weston McKennie: 8

Very strong start combining with Folarin Balogun. Created a good chance three minutes in by receiving a long ball and heading it down to the striker. Combined well with Christian Pulisic over and over, before starting to play with freedom and crop up in different areas all across the pitch.

His ability to crop up on the ball in just about any area on the field caught the Paraguay players completely off guard, and they had no idea who was meant to mark him at any given moment.

MORE: A thin midfield leaves USMNT dangerously exposed in 2026 World Cup journey

LW — Christian Pulisic: 9

Extremely active early on as he was a man possessed taking on the right side of the Paraguay back line. He continually took on defenders one-on-one or even one-on-two and won those battles. His slip through two defenders created the opening goal, and he continued to cause problems.

He began to repeatedly shred Juan Caceres on the left wing, drawing fouls and dribbling past defenders over and over and over. He put the Paraguay right-back on roller skates once again in the 35th minute, floating a cross that Folarin Balogun couldn't quite get on top of.

FWD — Folarin Balogun: 9

Heavily involved early in the game as he always is. Should have done better with the first chance three minutes in, but put a weak shot right at the goalkeeper. Started to cook as he touched across to Sergino Dest for a blown opportunity, and then seemed to score a goal ultimately disallowed for offside in the 28th minute.

Balogun would find his goal three minutes later as he finished a Christian Pulisic cross expertly, a display of fine finishing. He would then remain a threat, scoring a brace just before halftime with an absolutely delicious finish on a postage stamp into the top corner.

USMNT substitutes vs. Paraguay

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

USMNT coach vs. Paraguay

Mauricio Pochettino: Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis following the conclusion of the match.