The United States men’s national team had a winning return to Subaru Park for the first time in almost eight years in one of Mauricio Pochettino’s final tune-up games before the World Cup. A heavily rotated US side showed some of the attacking verve and fighting spirit fans have been begging for in a 2-1 victory over Paraguay. Let’s get to the ratings.

Player Ratings:

Matt Freese – 6

The Union alum had little to do on the night, with two relatively simple saves in the second half. Not much he could have done about the goal.

Sergiño Dest – 6.5

A solid outing from Dest, who showed his typical flair going forward, but was unable to turn any of it into end product.

Joe Scally – 5.5

Scally looked a bit uncomfortable in the hybrid center-back/right-back role he was asked to fill. Misjudged the long ball that let Miguel Almiron in behind for Paraguay’s goal, and had a few shaky moments in possession.

Miles Robinson – 5.5

Kept Almiron onside, then lost track of Alex Arce for the goal. Was otherwise solid defensively.

Tim Ream – 7

Calm and assured at the back, and the most likely of the center-backs to pick a pass through midfield.

Max Arfsten – 7.5

Lovely play and cross for the assist on the USMNT’s opening goal. On that play, and throughout the night, Arfsten showed his valuable ability to create space from the defender on the dribble.

Cristian Roldan – 7

Roldan’s national team renaissance continued, as the Seattle mifielder calmly kept things moving at the base of midfield, and was involved in the buildup to both US goals.

Tanner Tessmann – 7

The Lyon midfielder was integral in progressing the ball through midfield and showed some good attacking ideas, although not all of them came off as planned. Still, it was a promising performance from Tessmann as he looks to cement his place in the team heading into the World Cup.

Brenden Aaronson – 6

A class Brenden Aaronson performance on the attacker’s Philadelphia homecoming. Aaronson was always eager to get involved, be it on the ball or in the press, but could never find the final pass or shot he needed.

Gio Reyna – 7.5

On his return to the national team, the much-discussed Gio Reyna notched a rare headed goal and set up the USA’s second, while showing his usual array clever touches and passes throughout the night. An exciting performance, but now let’s see if he can build on it.

Folarin Balogun – 7

A quiet night for Balogun, but he took his goal well, and ultimately that’s all you can ask of your strikers.

Substitutes: 

(67’) Diego Luna – 6.5

Luna was active after he came on; his pressure helped set up Balogun’s goal, and he set up the Pepi chance in the 79’.

(67’) Alex Freeman – 7

A solid performance from Freeman, who gets extra points for taking a few lumps during the late-game scrum.

(75’) Tim Tillman – 6

Helped set up the late Pepi chance, but was otherwise not very involved.

(75’) Ricardo Pepi – 5

Oof. Really, really should have scored on an open net in the 79’.

(75’) Aidan Morris – 5

A couple of rough moments for Morris, including a late nutmeg on the endline that nearly led to an Arfsten own goal.

(80’) Sebastian Berhalter – 7

Full marks for jumping wholeheartedly into the scrum at his teammate’s defense.

Player of the Match: Max Arfsten

Arfsten has his doubters, but he has improved immensely for the national team over the past six months, to the point where he now looks like a viable option at left wingback for the World Cup. That might be crucial for the team, given Antonee Robinson’s continuing struggle with injury.