USMNT Player Ratings: Tillman and Luna shine in obliteration of Trinidad & Tobago

The United States got their 2025 Gold Cup campaign off to a strong start, thrashing Trinidad & Tobago 5-0 at San Jose's PayPal Park.

We're breaking down the top performers from the match as the United States look to put a four-match losing streak behind them.

Recap: USMNT open Gold Cup with goal-fest against Trinidad & Tobago

The United States were dominant, scoring five goals against an overmatched Trinidad

SixOneFive SoccerBen Wright

Matt Freese - 6.5

The New York City FC goalkeeper was a spectator for most of the match, only called on to make two saved. He was good with his feet, though, and the mere fact that he got the start ahead of Matt Turner seems telling as to his place in Mauricio Pochettino's depth chart.

Stock: Unchanged

Max Arfsten - 7.0

The Columbus Crew defender showed why Pochettino likes him, always a threat in the final third and delivering two assists late in the second half. He had a few moments where a better opponent would have exposed him defensively, but was able to get away with it against Trinidad. When the US dominate the ball he's an asset.

Stock: Unchanged

Tim Ream - 8.0

Wearing the captain's armband, the Charlotte FC defender reminded everyone why he's still one of the best center backs in the pool. He was calm on both sides of the ball, casually putting out fires and stepping into midfield to play progressive passes. His reading of the game is so smart that he rarely has to make up ground.

Stock: Up

Chris Richards - 7.0

Like Freese, Chris Richards wasn't heavily tested defensively. When he was called on, though, he was solid, making a few quick recovery runs to shut down half-chances, and solid with the ball at his feet.

Stock: Unchanged

Alex Freeman - 7.5

The 20-year-old Orlando City defender again played a different role than he's used to for his club, pinching into midfield in buildup instead of bombing forward down the wing. He's showed real versatility and discipline so far at the international level.

Stock: Up

Luca de la Torre - 7.0

Luca de la Torre never does things that standout, but he does all the little things very competently. He was tidy on both sides of the ball, cleaning up in midfield while also advancing the ball efficiently.

Stock: Unchanged

Sebastian Berhalter - 6.5

There were a handful of times where Sebastian Berhalter struggled to cope with Trinidad's physicality, but he threw himself all over the pitch and was better on the ball that we saw against Switzerland.

Stock: Unchanged

Diego Luna - 8.5

Again, Diego Luna made a case for a major role with the full team. He clearly has quality on the ball and oozes creativity, but he also outworks everyone and read the game so well. His assist to Malik Tillman was a prime example of this, anticipating the play to jump on a loose pass and set Tillman up for one of the easiest finishes of his career. His stock has never been higher.

Stock: Up

Malik Tillman - 9.0

Tillman had two simple finishes to bag a brace. Aside from the goals, though, he threaded everything together for the US. He constantly picked up the ball in dangerous spots in the final third and was able to see openings in Trinidad's backline before they even appeared. He created four chances and was incredibly efficient with the ball. Is this the beginning of translating his club form to the national team?

Stock: Up

Jack McGlynn - 8.0

Jack McGlynn has a wand of a left foot, huh? The Houston Dynamo man set up Tillman's opener with a fantastic chipped cross to the back post, showing incredible patience and awareness in the box to slow the game down. His distribution was fantastic throughout the night, consistently finding openings in the final third and coming close to a spectacular goal of his own.

Stock: Up

Patrick Agyemang - 6.5

Patrick Agyemang matched up well with Trinidad's physical backline. He never backed down from a challenge and was happy to battle from the opening minute. However, his quality in the final third was disappointing. While the effort was there, his touch was poor and a lot of his decision-making was sloppy, often choosing the wrong pass and making a wrong run to kill a lot of promising moves.

He got on the scoresheet, but didn't know anything about the Diego Luna shot that deflected off him and in.

Stock: Unchanged

Substitutes

Brenden Aaronson - 6.5

The Leeds United man typically ran hard and added a spark of energy, grabbing a goal with the help of some less-than-optimal goalkeeping.

Stock: Unchanged

Haji Wright - 7.0

Haji Wright capped off the scoring with a great run and finish, placing his shot perfectly into the bottom corner to make it five goals for the USMNT.

Stock: Unchanged

Mark McKenzie - 6.0

The Toulouse defender was hardly tested in his brief cameo.

Stock: Unchanged

Paxten Aaronson - N/A

The younger Aaronson brother came on for the last 10 minutes and had no time to make an impact.

Stock: Unchanged

Miles Robinson - N/A

Miles Robinson barely touched the ball, on in the 87th minute to close down the match.

Stock: Unchanged

Manager

Mauricio Pochettino - 7.0

You can only beat the team you're playing, and while this win won't assuage all the concerns piled up over the last month, it was at least an emphatic win to start the tournament out on a high note.

Pochettino put the players in good spots and allowed them to just play, and the connections in the final third are improving. His substitutions were also effective, and now he has an intriguing choice to make at the No. 9 position.

Stock: Unchanged