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USA vs. Switzerland player ratings: Score, grades, stats as USMNT embarrassed in pre-Gold Cup friendly

With exactly one year to go until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, the USMNT continued to reach deeper into despair.

The USMNT wasted another precious 90 minutes of game action, as it was embarrassed 4-0 by Switzerland, with all four goals coming in the first half. With the game completely gone by the midway mark, the U.S. improved after the break, but they were unable to score, even against a Switzerland side that had little interest in adding to their total.

It left Mauricio Pochettino with a fourth straight defeat, and while the most recent two were only in friendlies, they still represent a further step back in the preparations not only for the imminent 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup but also next summer’s World Cup.

Pochettino deployed a starting lineup that featured nine changes from the Turkey defeat on Saturday, but it was utterly ineffective, as the defenders were carved to bits and the build forward was ineffective. Five changes at halftime laid bare Pochettino’s unhappiness, but they did little to turn the tide in the end.

The vibes around the USMNT are in the toilet as they barrel towards the World Cup with little optimism for fans to cling to.

Goals and highlights | Player ratings | Full match stats | Team news and lineups

USA vs. Switzerland final score

  Score Goal scorers
USA 0 —
Switzerland 4 Ndoye (12′),
Aebischer (23′),
Embolo (33′),
Manzambi (37′)

Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, TN)
Kickoff: 8:07 p.m. ET / 5:07 p.m. PT

Starting lineups:

USA (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Turner (GK) — 20. Harriel, 5. Zimmerman, 22. McKenzie, 27. Arfsten (Tolkin, 46′) — 15. Cardoso, 8. Berhalter (Downs, 75′), 21. P. Aaronson (Ream, 46′) — 7. Sullivan (Tillman, 46′), 23. White (Agyemang, 46′), 11. B Aaronson (Luna, 46′).

Switzerland (4-4-2 diamond, right to left): 1. Kobel (GK) — 24. Schmidt (Blondel, 65′), 5. Akanji (Gartenmann, 46′), 4. Elvedi (Amenda, 72′), 13. R. Rodriguez (Muheim, 46′) —18. Jashari (Freuler, 84′), 10. Aebischer (Amdouni, 72′), 9. Manzambi, 10. Xhaka (Sow, 65′), – 11. Ndoye, 7. Embolo.

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USA vs. Switzerland stats

USA Stat Switzerland
7 Shots 12
0 Shots on target 7
49% Possession 51%
472 Accurate passes 491
0 Corners 7
8 Fouls 10
3 Yellow cards 2

USA vs. Switzerland highlights: Goals, key events

FULLTIME: USA 0-4 SWITZERLAND

The U.S. nightmare is finally over as the Nashville crowd boos Mauricio Pochettino’s team off the pitch. A pathetic display all in all, as the USMNT concedes four brutal first-half goals and fails to register a single shot on target of their own. Very few of these U.S. players took their chance at impressing the head coach to earn a roster spot in future competitive matches, and Pochettino will face plenty of criticism for his personnel choices on this roster absolutely bereft of any real international-worthy talent.

90+1 min: Three straight yellow cards in quick succession are shown, two to the United States and one to Switzerland. First, Aurele Amenda is booked for wrestling down Patrick Agyemang, before the big Charlotte FC striker himself picks up a yellow card. Johnny Cardoso caps it off in stoppage time as he slides in late with a frustration foul.

51st min: Patrick Agyemang is brutally dragged down by Nico Elvedi who draws the most obvious yellow card of all time. It was totally on purpose, as Agyemang was almost clean through on goal just before the midway line, but there was a defender tracking back, so it’s not a red. Very strong work from the U.S. substitute.

2nd half kickoff: A litany of changes for the USMNT as you’d expect, with Tim Ream, Diego Luna, John Tolkin, Malik Tillman, and Patrick Agyemang entering the match. Mauricio Pochettino will switch to a back three. A complete and total reset is needed.

HALFTIME: USA 0-4 SWITZERLAND

An utterly pathetic performance by the United States men, who were completely and utterly dismantled throughout the first half.

The match actually started well for the USMNT, who looked lively through the first 10 minutes, but after Switzerland went ahead, the hosts completely fell apart. The players on the field don’t look fit for international duty, as Mauricio Pochettino will come to regret selecting a third-string squad in a bid to push the first-choice players for their spot.

It’s men against boys out there.

36th min: GOAL! SWITZERLAND! A nightmare for the USMNT, as Mark McKenzie is turned by an easy Johan Manzambi dribble, and the Swiss forward smashes the ball into the top corner! It’s a fabulous finish, but there’s no hiding for McKenzie who was spun far too easily by nothing more than a simple touch at the top of the penalty area.

33rd min: GOAL! SWITZERLAND! Matt Turner makes a mistake to concede a third! A nothing shot from Ricardo Rodriguez way out on the left sees the USMNT goalkeeper dive down to his left, but all he can do is parry the effort, turning it straight into the path of Breel Embolo who pokes it into the open net! That shot has to be stopped, it had very little venom to it!

23rd min: GOAL! SWITZERLAND! It’s FAR too easy for Switzerland as they score a second! Max Arfsten just lets his man Johan Manzambi go right through down the end line, and he fizzes a cross to Michel Aebischer right in front of net for the smashed finish from point blank range!

This is embarrassing!

12th min: GOAL! SWITZERLAND! It’s the same old story for the United States who have looked the better side so far through this match but they concede! Nathan Harriel was done by a dummy, and stepped up completely losing Dan Ndoye on the vertical run, and the Switzerland man makes no mistake one-on-one with Matt Turner!

Kickoff: They’re under way in Nashville! Mauricio Pochettino is relying on an incredibly inexperienced and fringe group of players to avoid a fourth straight defeat for the USMNT. It’ll be a stiff test against the 20th-ranked team in the nation!

Lineups: Mauricio Pochettino has made a whopping nine changes to the USMNT XI as he gives as many players a chance to impress as possible. Only Johnny Cardoso and Max Arfsten remain, with the former earning an opportunity for redemption after his error-filled 45 minutes against Turkey.

Matt Turner comes into goal, while Brian White gets a chance to shine up front in the striker battle and Sebastian Berhalter earns a place in midfield.

Prematch: Welcome to coverage of USA vs. Switzerland from The Sporting News! After defeat against Turkey last time out, this is Mauricio Pochettino’s last chance to log a positive performance from the squad before the games count on a competitive scale.

While Pochettino continues to harp on the idea that the USMNT can win the World Cup on home soil next summer, the string of poor results through his short tenure has failed to give fans any semblance of confidence in that regard. Pochettino has lost three straight matches as U.S. manager for the first time since Jurgen Klinsmann in 2015, all coming against teams listed below the United States in the FIFA rankings. There is a long way to go for this team.

USA vs. Switzerland live player ratings

All USMNT players will be scored on a 1-10 scale for their performance in the match, with commentary on their notable contributions as the game progresses.

USMNT starters

Goalkeeper: Matt Turner — 4

It’s expected that Turner, who could be closing in on a move to French club Lyon, will start regularly in the Gold Cup for the USMNT, and he will get a chance to warm up for the competitive matches today as he takes over for Saturday’s starter Matt Freese in net.

Failed to make any interventions through the first half, and was at fault for the third Switzerland goal as he should have held the shot but instead only could parry it. His only good moment was a save midway through the second half on a Dan Ndoye effort from a tight angle.

Right-back: Nathan Harriel — 4

After Alex Freeman got the start at right-back in the first friendly, today is an opportunity for Philadelphia Union star Nathan Harriel to get a chance to compete for the Gold Cup gig. Harriel jumps off the page statistically as a defensive monster.

He was largely at fault for the first Switzerland goal, as he was fooled by a dummy and stepped forward, letting Ndoye get free on goal. Minutes later he was nutmegged by Ndoye on a shooting chance, and then he allowed his man to run free on the second Switzerland goal. A complete no-show in the first half of this match.

Center-back: Walker Zimmerman — 5

Walker Zimmerman, a late injury replacement on the USMNT roster for the Gold Cup to replace DeJuan Jones, earns the job at the back.

While not primarily at fault, his communication with Nathan Harriel on the Switzerland opening goal was poor, seeming to get confused about who to mark and who to leave.

Center-back: Mark McKenzie — 5

One of the only foreign-based players on the roster, Toulouse center-back Mark McKenzie was strong in his second-half cameo against Turkey and will be hoping to earn a starting gig alongside Chris Richards this summer at the Gold Cup. He’ll be competing for the job with today’s partner, Walker Zimmerman, as well as Tim Ream and Miles Robinson, the latter of whom he replaced at halftime against Turkey on Saturday.

Got completely turned around on the fourth Switzerland goal by nothing more than a simple move, and he was caught ball watching on a number of occasions.

Left-back: Max Arfsten — 5

One of only two holdovers from the XI against Turkey, Max Arfsten gets the start again today as one of the only full-backs on the roster.

Completely undressed along the end line on the second Switzerland goal. Lost Ndoye on a ball over the top midway through the first half, but recovered well to make the block after it looked like the Swiss forward was clean through on goal. Hooked at halftime.

Midfielder: Johnny Cardoso — 7

After a brutal 45 minutes that saw him hooked at halftime after making a key error leading to Turkey’s first goal, Johnny Cardoso gets a chance for redemption thanks to the injury absence of Tyler Adams.

A much better showing in midfield, managing to log a 100% passing record (44/44) and six passes into the final third. When the U.S. managed to have the ball, he was a big part of the possessional battle. Add in six defensive actions, and it was a solid showing for Johnny when the men behind him faltered repeatedly.

Midfielder: Sebastian Berhalter — 7

The son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter has no doubt earned a spot in this roster thanks to exceptional play in both MLS and the CONCACAF Champions Cup this season. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder could be an influential presence in this match, which will be his international debut.

The lone solid performer in the first half, Berhalter did his best to generate attacking moves the few opportunities he got on the ball.

Midfielder: Paxten Aaronson — 5

The Aaronson brothers are the fourth sibling duo to start a USMNT match together and first since 1979, as 21-year-old Paxten will make his second international appearance and first since a 90-minute showing in the 2023 January camp friendly against Colombia.

18 touches all first half meant he offered little in midfield. Add in just one defensive action, and Paxten’s 45 minutes of play were of little use to the U.S.

Right winger: Quinn Sullivan — 5

The versatile Philadelphia Union forward is the older brother of wonderkid Cavan Sullivan, and hopes he can build on his international debut days ago with his first USMNT start.

Looked lively early before Switzerland’s opening goal, as he was looking to take opponents on. Found himself booked for a foul in midfield just before halftime. Ok defensively but added little to the attack after the early bright spell.

Striker: Brian White — 4

One of the frontrunners for MLS MVP as the league nears its midway point of the season, the prolific Vancouver Whitecaps forward hopes that will translate to the international stage as the USMNT searches desperately for striker depth.

Had basically no service to work with whatsoever. Zero touches in the opposition penalty area through the first 45 minutes and wasn’t given any further leash.

Left winger: Brenden Aaronson — 5

The hard-working Leeds winger is set for his 48th international cap, hoping to prove he still remains a key figure in the USMNT setup. Few players have more to gain in this match than Brenden, who could be considered heavily for a World Cup spot if he shows improvement at both club and country over the next year.

Looked bright early on as he played on the left wing, combining with Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten well. Like his brother, however, he faded quickly and boasted just 18 total touches through the first 45 minutes, plus zero defensive actions and zero duels won out of four contested. A non-factor.

USMNT substitutes

This section will be updated with ratings as Mauricio Pochettino brings players into the match off the bench.

Patrick Agyemang — 7

Entered at halftime for the invisible Brian White. Drew a yellow card soon after coming on as he looked to get on the breakaway. Used his physicality to his advantage on multiple occasions, which is far more than Brian White was capable of. Won a second yellow card deep into the match as he was wrestled down again by Aurele Amenda.

Diego Luna — 6

Came on for Brenden Aaronson at the halftime break. Was bright on and off the ball, and at times looked like the only U.S. player even remotely interested in pressing. His growth as a high work-rate winger continues.

Tim Ream — 6

Entered at halftime for Paxten Aaronson as Mauricio Pochettino called for a change of shape to a back three. Got forward well thanks to Switzerland’s lack of pressing with a big lead.

John Tolkin — 6

Came on for Max Arfsten at the break. Was tidy in possession and didn’t make any glaring errors, which is more than the man he replaced can say.

Made a good run forward in the 76th minute as part of a strong attacking move, but his cross to Malik Tillman was poor. Used a fabulous bit of skill to win a blatant foul outside the edge of the penalty area in the 80th minute which the referee inexplicably didn’t give.

Malik Tillman — 6

Entered for Quinn Sullivan at halftime. Was lively after entering, linking with Patrick Agyemang well and progressing attacking moves into the penalty area, although it’s important to note that it’s much easier to break down an opponent half-heartedly pressing already up 4-0. A good late free-kick found the head of Johnny Cardoso who put it wide.

Damion Downs — N/A

Came on for Sebastian Berhalter with 15 minutes to go and the game already gone. A bummer to see him make his debut in this situation, he wasn’t given enough time to make an impact in a game where few players had any interest in giving their all through the final minutes.

USA vs. Switzerland lineups, team news

Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah were left off the Gold Cup roster at the players’ behest, having asked to rest for the summer. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna are all participating in the Club World Cup and have stayed with their clubs, while Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, and Tanner Tessmann were all passed over for “football reasons” as Pochettino described it.

Meanwhile, Antonee Robinson had knee surgery to solve a chronic issue that has plagued him for months, Folarin Balogun sustained an ankle injury, Ricardo Pepi continues to rehab from a long-term knee injury, Sergino Dest withdrew from the squad to protect his recent recovery from a torn ACL, and Zack Steffen suffered a knee injury in pre-tournament camp.

Pochettino also said that Tyler Adams will miss this friendly due to a foot injury, hoping to have him back for once the Gold Cup begins. That could see Johnny Cardoso earn a shot at redemption after his error led to Turkey’s first goal on the weekend.

However, there are other midfielders pushing for time. Jack McGlynn and Luca de la Torre and goal scorer Jack McGlynn impressed against Turkey and could be rewarded, while this game may also be a chance to give Sebastian Berhalter a look in midfield.

USA starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Turner (GK) — Harriel, Zimmerman, McKenzie, Arfsten — Cardoso, Berhalter, P. Aaronson — Sullivan, White, B Aaronson.

USA subs: Brady (GK), Freese (GK), Freeman, Richards, Tolkin, M. Robinson, Ream, de la Torre, McGlynn, Tillman, Luna, Wright, Downs, Agyemang.

Switzerland are bloated at the midfield position, but not a lot of them are capable out wide in the 4-4-2. Ruben Vargas, who started on the left side of midfield in their last match against Luxembourg, is out with a hamstring injury, so head coach Murat Yakin will need to find a solution.

Champions League finalist Yann Sommer has retired from international duty, so either Gregor Kobel or Yvon Mvogo will start in goal. Fabian Schar and Xherdan Shaqiri have also called time on their international careers.

Central midfield is loaded for Switzerland, with Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler, and Denis Zakaria all over 50 caps while Djibril Sow and Michel Aebischer also have significant international experience. Zakaria did not appear in the Switzerland squad for the Mexico game, and his status remains unclear.

Switzerland starting lineup (4-4-2 diamond, right to left): Kobel (GK) — Schmidt, Akanji, Elvedi, R. Rodriguez —Jashari, Aebischer, Manzambi, Xhaka, – Ndoye, Embolo.

Switzerland subs: Keller (GK), Mvogo (GK), Zesiger, Widmer, Garcia, Muheim, Gartenmann, Blondel, Amenda, Sow, Sierro, Freuler, Rieder, Amdouni.

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