USMNT Player Ratings: Did anyone play well in a 4-0 loss to Switzerland?

NASHVILLE, TN - The United States Men's National Team were boo'd off the pitch at halftime at Nashville's Geodis Park after conceding four goals in 36 minutes, a performance that was equal parts alarming and embarrassing.

We're breaking down the individual performances from a disastrous showing against Switzerland before the USMNT kick off their Gold Cup campaign on Sunday afternoon.

Matt Turner - 3.5

Matt Turner looked like a 'keeper who hasn't played regular minutes in years. Switzerland's third goal was a direct result from a really poor rebound he gave directly to Breel Embolo, and he looked shaky with the ball at his feet. He's regressed since 2022, and gave up another goal that a 'keeper at this level simply can't concede.

The goalkeeper corps in general is a massive red flag at this point.

Stock: Down

Max Arfsten - 3.0

After a good outing against Türkiye, Max Arfsten struggled heavily against Switzerland. Johan Manzambi absolutely shredded him for the second goal, and he looked defensively shaky at other times. He grew into it a bit towards the end of the half and had a couple good interventions, but wasn't able to get involved going forward (spoiler alert: no one really was).

As anyone who has regularly watched Columbus could tell you, he has a ton of potential going forward, but his defensive shortcomings make it hard to trust him playing in a back four against a ball-dominant team. He has potential in a more advance role, but left back doesn't seem like a great fit.

Stock: Down

Mark McKenzie - 4.5

The Philadelphia Union product is typically due for one sloppy giveaway per game. This match was no exception, getting lucky not to concede after an ill-advised pass into pressure. He was caught marking several yards of empty space for Switzerland's second, and was beaten far too easily by Manzambi for the fourth goal. To his credit, he looked better after halftime, but the game-state meant he wasn't really tested.

Stock: Unchanged

Walker Zimmerman - 6.0

It wasn't a high bar by any stretch, but Walker Zimmerman was the best of a really poor back line in the first half. He wasn't directly at fault for any of the goals and was at least a physical match for the Switzerland attack. If we're splitting hairs, maybe he could have been better positioned on the opening goal and hesitated a few times when he had the opportunity to play direct balls over the top, but he was the least culpable.

He was much better in the second half and was actually able to play the ball forward a bit.

Stock: Unchanged

Nathan Harriel - 2.5

Nathan Harriel was incredibly poor in the first half. The ball from Ardon Jashari took a crucial deflection on its way to Dan Ndoye, but it was still a bad read compounded by poor position from Harriel, who probably should have just stuck with the runner.

For the second goal, he completely lost Michel Aebischer at the back post and allowed him a tap-in from just a few feet out. He looked marginally better as a wingback once the US shifted to a back five in the second half, but the more matches he plays at the international level, the less of a fit he appears to be. It's probably telling that he's not even the starting right back for the Union.

Stock: Down

Johnny Cardoso - 5.0

The apparently Atletico Madrid-bound man at least cleaned things up in possession after a poor performance on Saturday, but he was far too quiet overall and didn't offer much defensively. Wasn't able to get nearly enough pressure on the ball.

Stock: Down

Sebastian Berhalter - 6.0

Making his international debut, Sebastian Berhalter was one of the few players who could leave the match with his head held high. As we've seen with the Vancouver Whitecaps this season, he has an unreal two-way motor and was at least able to get some sort of pressure on Switzerland's midfield, albeit on his own most of the time.

On the ball he was clean and mistake-free, and was able to get involved in and around the final third a little more as the game went on. It's hard to judge him too harshly in his first-ever USMNT appearance in a match like this, and he certainly looks deserving of increased minutes during the Gold Cup.

Stock: Unchanged

Brenden Aaronson - 3.0

The Leeds midfielder was completely invisible in his 45-minute shift. He touched the ball just 18 times in the first half, the joint-fewest of any US player.

Stock: Down

Paxten Aaronson - 4.0

Tied for the fewest touches? Paxten Aaronson. The younger of the Aaronson brothers was at least a bit more clean on the ball and showed flashes of technical ability, but his only real contribution was preventing the Swiss from taking a quick free kick and somehow getting away without a card.

Stock: Unchanged

Quinn Sullivan - 4.0

One of five Philadelphia Union products to start this match, Quinn Sullivan was full of energy and was one of the few players who seemed interested in attacking defenders 1v1 in the first half. Unfortunately, the quality just wasn't there on the night, and a mis-placed pass led directly to Switzerland's fourth goal.

Stock: Unchanged

Brian White - 3.5

Brian White was on an island for the entire first half. He touched the ball just 19 times, but when he did get involved he was physically dominated by the Swiss backline and was completely unable to hold possession or link play. A non-factor before being pulled off at halftime.

Stock: Down

Substitutes

Tim Ream - 6.0

Tim Ream came into the game at halftime and settled things down. He was unsurprisingly calm on the ball and didn't get beaten defensively, despite being drastically outmatched for pace.

There's certainly a larger conversation to be had that Ream seems like one of the two or three best center backs still in the US pool at 37 years old, but that's a conversation for another day.

Stock: Unchanged

John Tolkin - 5.5

The former New York Red Bull was an improvement defensively and was composed on the ball. He got into great positions and was consistently open for a switch to the left flank. He didn't get the ball nearly as much as he deserved.

Stock: Unchanged

Malik Tillman - 6.5

Malik Tillman was a positive change off the bench for the second half. When he did get on the ball he was clean and able to play through pressure, and ended up heavily involved in the few chances the US did manage to great. He may not break into the XI when the full first-choice group is available, but he's certainly making a case to be more involved.

Stock: Unchanged

Diego Luna - 7.0

Diego Luna was the only player to come away with his stock raised. The Real Salt Lake No. 10 played with passion and energy that was sorely lacking in the rest of the squad. To paraphrase Bruce Arena, he "tried s--t". He was dangerous on the ball, angry in the tackle, and looked genuinely pissed off about the performance. That's worth something, at least.

Stock: Up

Patrick Agyemang - 6.0

The Charlotte FC striker was one of the sole bright spots from the match. He was instantly able to get much more involved than White, and could actually turn his defender and break in on goal. He was a handful in the second half.

Stock: Unchanged

Damion Downs - N/A

The German youth international made his USMNT debut, but with barely 15 minutes on the pitch he had no chance to make a real impact.

Stock: N/A

Manager

Mauricio Pochettino - 2.5

This was an all-around disaster. There were already some questionable roster choices in selecting this Gold Cup squad, but the lineup was even more head-scratching. The backline looked completely disorganized and unsure of their roles. The midfield wasn't able to present any organized pressure and allowed Switzerland time and space to pick apart the defense. And aside from Diego Luna free-styling, what attack was there even to speak of?

If anything, Pochettino's hire shows that the issues with this program have always gone far deeper than the manager. But Pochettino certainly didn't help his case in any way, shape or form with this performance. Things were at least better in the second half, and his substitutes were positive, but no one should draw any firm conclusions from 45 minutes against a Switzerland side more than content to play out an unassailable lead.

Stock: Down