USMNT vs. Switzerland player ratings: Nightmare in Nashville

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USMNT vs. Switzerland player ratings: Nightmare in Nashville
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Weston McKennie discusses the state of the USMNT ahead of World Cup
Soccer standout Weston McKennie discusses the state of the USMNT and how Mauricio Pochettino is getting the squad ready ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Sports Seriously
The U.S. men's national team is in a tailspin heading into the Gold Cup.
In its final tune-up friendly before the Concacaf tournament kicks off, the USMNT was humiliated 4-0 by Switzerland in Nashville on Tuesday.
Dan Ndoye, Michel Aebischer, Breel Embolo and Johan Manzambi gave the Swiss a four-goal lead within the first 36 minutes. Though the USMNT at least stopped the bleeding from there, that will be cold comfort to a team that looks lost and out of ideas.
The USMNT was out-played, out-competed and out-thought en route to its first four-game losing streak since 2007. Things will have to improve in a hurry ahead of the Gold Cup opener on Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago.
Here are our ratings for the USMNT's nightmare in Nashville against the Swiss.
As a reminder, here's the Pro Soccer Wire player rating scale:
1: Abysmal. Literally any member of our staff would have been been able to play at this level.
6: Adequate. This is our base score.
10: Transcendent, era-defining performance. This is Carli Lloyd vs. Japan in the 2015 World Cup final.
GK: Matt Turner - 4.5
It's hard to see Turner starting in the Gold Cup after another brutal error led to a goal. The soon-to-be Lyon goalkeeper coughed up an easy rebound from Ricardo Rodriguez's shot from distance, which Embolo gratefully deposited into the net. Turner improved in the second half and couldn't be faulted for any of the other goals, but will that even matter?
LB: Max Arfsten - 3
The Crew defender will be seeing Manzambi in his nightmares. Arfsten was brutally skinned by the winger in the lead-up to Switzerland's second, which wasn't the only time the Freiburg teenager made him look silly. Arfsten also failed to get goal-side on Embolo on Switzerland's third goal, leading to a simple tap-in. Taken off at halftime.
CB: Mark McKenzie - 4.5
Manzambi dribbled past McKenzie too easily for Switzerland's fourth goal, and the center back had a poor giveaway that nearly led to another goal in the second half. On the plus side, McKenzie did go 66-for-68 passing and had a game-high five clearances.
CB: Walker Zimmerman - 5
Zimmerman didn't have any glaring errors, but failed to sort out the chaotic mess that was the game's opening 36 minutes. Playing on his home field, Zimmerman was too much of a bystander in a team that needed more leadership.
RB: Nathan Harriel - 3.5
It was, unfortunately, a nightmare for Harriel against the Swiss. The Union right back completely lost Ndoye on Switzerland's opener, letting the winger easily sneak behind him. Harriel was also exposed on Switzerland's second, as he gave Aebischer a criminal amount of space for a tap-in on the doorstep.
CM: Johnny Cardoso - 5.5
It was at least a better performance for Cardoso than against Turkey, when he was at fault for a comical goal. The Real Betis man was 52-for-54 passing, including three of four on long balls. Cardoso popped up with some vital defensive interventions too, but was also unable to organize the midfield effectively during the first-half onslaught.
CM: Sebastian Berhalter - 5
Berhalter was eager to impress in his first USMNT cap, which worked against him at times as he missed tackles and was bypassed in central midfield. He looked a bit more comfortable in the second half after Diego Luna and Malik Tillman entered, which pushed him out to a position more wide right.
LW: Paxten Aaronson - 4
Aaronson was a non-factor in his first USMNT appearance since January 2023, and only his second ever. The midfielder played a bit higher up than he did during a hugely successful loan at Utrecht this season, and was part of a midfield that couldn't gain any control of the game.
CAM: Brenden Aaronson - 4.5
Had some promising attacking moments in an active start to the match, but saw his influence completely wane over the course of the first half. Only managed 18 touches and seven of eight passes before he was withdrawn at halftime.
RW: Quinn Sullivan - 3.5
Making his first USMNT start, Sullivan was hesitant and inefficient during the rare occasions he got on the ball in Switzerland's half. In his own half, he had a poor giveaway that led to directly to Switzerland's fourth. Sullivan was hooked at the break.
ST: Brian White - 3.5
White managed just 19 touches before being withdrawn at halftime. He didn't impress with those minimal chances, either, with some poor hold-up play and a particularly soft pass to kill a U.S. chance to run at the defense.
Sub: John Tolkin - 5
Coming on at the break, Tolkin was at least an improvement on Arfsten, but didn't connect with teammates on his runs forward. He was solid defensively, though he wasn't asked to do as much as Arfsten after the USMNT switched to a three center back formation.
Sub: Tim Ream - 5
Ream helped restore some calm on the back line after coming on at halftime. The veteran still wasn't at his best, as he misplaced some passes and showed his physical limitations when Ndoye blew past him in open space.
Sub: Malik Tillman - 6
Tillman provided some attacking onus after his halftime introduction, combining well with teammates and playing a game-high three key passes. Flailed wildly at a volley, though, on his one decent look at goal.
Sub: Diego Luna - 5.5
Luna should be a lock for this XI because he simply tries hard. The Real Salt Lake man didn't have much joy in the final third, but he at least raised the level of competitiveness in the midfield.
Sub: Patrick Agyemang - 6.5
Agyemang was lively after coming on at halftime, drawing four fouls including two yellow cards that resulted from his physical hold-up play. A clear upgrade on White on the evening.
Sub: Damion Downs - N/R
A quiet first cap for Downs after coming on in the 75th minute.