USMNT vs Panama player ratings out of 10

Mauricio Pochettino's tenure as USMNT head coach began with a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday, a deserved victory for the new frontrunners heading to the 2026 World Cup.

( MORE: USMNT 2-0 Panama – Recap, Highlights )

There was good play – both goals were quality – as well as a wonderful double save in the USA's win, and the Yanks will turn their attention to a friendly against top rivals in Mexico on Tuesday El Tri.

( MORE: Three things we learned from Pochettino's USMNT debut )

But before we turn our attention to the trip south, let's look at how the American players fared Los Canaleros from Panama.

USMNT vs Panama player ratings out of 10

Matt Turner: 8 – Big points for a fantastic double save in the second half, with the second stop being a world class reaction save. Also made a stoppage time save and made some very good long passes.

Antonee Robinson (Off 68'): 7.5 — A few nervous moments keep this from being a classic Jedi star show in a USMNT shirt, but he was still very good. Great work on the left to set up Pulisic's assist. He led all defensive players with six players when he was substituted.

Tim Ream: 7 — This window is much better after two unusually difficult performances in September.

Mark McKenzie: 7.5 – Game-best 96 ball contacts and nine defensive actions. Beaten by Fajardo in a fortunate late Panama miss, Pochettino said much by putting in a calm performance even under late pressure.

Joe Scally: 7 – A quiet day for a player who managed over 80 touches of the ball. Allowed a cutback in the second half that led to Turner's double save.

Aidan Morris: 8 – Strong day for the ex-Columbus and current Middlesbrough midfielder, who won all four of his duels and only trailed McKenzie when it came to ball contacts. Very neat in the middle of the park.

Gianluca Busio (Off 68'): 6.5 — A bad result, but otherwise clean on the ball, pass rate 93%.

Yunus Musah (From 84'): 8 — The goal was good, of course, but it was more encouraging to see a confident Musah plundering up and down the right. Wasn't on the ball as much as we would have expected with Morris and Busio taking center stage.

Brenden Aaronson (Off 78'): 6.5 — Typically frantic, anxious at times, but he ran out of his shorts and had some fantastic moments dribbling and distributing.

Christian Pulisic (Off 68'): 7.5 — Only Sargent had more ball contacts in the Panama penalty area than Pulisic, who scored his 17th assist in a USMNT jersey and could have scored himself.

Josh Sargent (Off 68'): 6.5 – Active and strong, he drove the game forward on several occasions and showed his presence on long balls from Turner and his friends. He missed a strong chance to open the scoring and that will haunt him well into the night as competition for centre-forward minutes remains wide open under Pochettino.

Subs
Ricardo Pepi (68th minute): 7 — Only six touches of the ball, but one was a goal, and this is where center forwards make their money!
Tanner Tessmann (68'): 6.5 — Crowd changes usually lead to chaos and Tessmann was affected as both teams were eliminated late.
Haji Wright (68th minute): 7.5 — Twice took steps to create danger. One was rejected by an imprecise pass, the second was an assist for Pepi.
Kristoffer Lund (68th minute): 8 — Again very impressive on the left side.
Malik Tillman (78th minute): 7 — Helped achieve the goal. We have a feeling we will see him in the starting lineup against Mexico.
Alex Zendejas (84th minute): N/A