Stats from fotmob.com, Opta and Fifa; players listed in order of minutes played.Weston McKennie, center/attacking midfield (Juventus)Five starts, 444 minutesGuardian ratings: 7-7-7-7-5The only player to start all five games led the team in chances created (eight), though Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter and the lightly used Brenden Aaronson created more per 90 minutes. Covered an exhausting 57,573m in five games. Of the “Golden Generation” players on the roster, he and running mate Tyler Adams were the most golden. Grade: A-Alex Freeman, right-back/center-back (Villarreal)Four starts, one sub, 373 minutes, one goal, one assistGuardian ratings: 7-8-5-7-5Not in the picture a couple of years ago, and US fans have to be thrilled that the 21-year-old now has the experience of a World Cup (and a memorable World Cup goal celebration) to draw upon. Led the team with 14 tackles, 3.4 per game. Led the team’s first-choice players in percentage of duels won both on the ground (67.6%) and in the air (73.7%). Solid debut, very bright future. Grade: A-Matt Freese, goalkeeper (New York City FC)Four starts, 360 minutes, eight saves, five goals allowedGuardian ratings: 6-6-x-6-2One of very few players on this team to have never played in Europe and one who only joined the national team pool last year. His inexperience proved costly against Belgium, when he came way out of his box and hesitated to clear the ball, allowing the Red Devils to dispossess him and shoot into the nearly open goal 25 yards behind him. On the positive side: he made some decent saves in that game and had a solid performance in gritting out a clean sheet against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Grade: CChris Richards, center-back (Crystal Palace)Four starts, 360 minutesGuardian ratings: 8-7-x-6-4The best bit of luck the USA had, apart from a relatively easy draw, was learning that Richards would be fit to play. His stats bordered on the impossible, especially his 100% completion rate on 84 passes against Paraguay. He led the team in defensive contributions, total (41) and per 90 (10.3). The lion’s share of those were clearances (28), and many of them were vital. His Cup ended on a low note, embarrassed by Romelu Lukaku, but by any objective measure, he was one of the USA’s top players. Grade: B+Chris Richards player guide embedTim Ream, center-back (Charlotte FC)Four starts, 360 minutesGuardian ratings: 6-7-x-6-4One of many US players over the years who have excelled at Fulham, the 38-year-old captain completed almost as many passes (70.5 per 90 min) as Richards with a slightly lower percentage (91.6%). He was forced into too many foot races and had the misfortune of seeing Belgium’s third goal sail past him as he attempted to cover for his stranded goalkeeper, but in his first three games, he was solid. Grade: BMalik Tillman, center/attacking midfield (Bayer Leverkusen)Four starts, one sub, 356 minutes, two goals, one assistGuardian ratings: 7-7-6-8-7Faced with a free-kick just outside the area, Tillman saw Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense daring him to try to get the ball over the wall and in. He did it. Then he did it again five days later with a deflected free-kick that briefly drew the USA level with Belgium. Seven chances created. He showed stealthy ball-winning ability, tying with Robinson for possessions won (23). Grade: A-Malik Tillman’s free-kick goals were highlights of the USMNT’s World Cup. Photograph: Phil Noble/ReutersAntonee Robinson, left-back/midfield (Fulham)Four starts, 349 minutesGuardian ratings: 6-7-x-6-6The one they call “Jedi” had the Force on his side as an attacking force, and US fans may reasonably wonder if things would have played out differently if he and Pulisic had been able to maintain the menacing play on the left flank they showed against Paraguay. He didn’t neglect his defensive work – tied for second in defensive contributions per 90 minutes (9.0) and tied for first in possessions won (23). Grade: BTyler Adams, center midfield (Bournemouth)Four starts, 342 minutesGuardian ratings: 7-7-x-6-6The stats back up the argument that Adams is the best two-way player on the team. He completed 55.3 passes per 90 minutes at an excellent 89.4% completion rate. He had a team-high 30 forced turnovers. He maintained his poise in the midst of fierce midfield battles. The Turkey game showed how much he’s missed when he’s not in the lineup. Grade: A-Folarin Balogun, forward (Monaco)Four starts, 314 minutes, three goalsGuardian ratings: 8-7-x-7-6Any parents looking for role models for their kids could do a lot worse than Balogun, who showed extraordinary grace after receiving a harsh red card and being bailed out in murky circumstances beyond his control. On the field, he was spectacular against Paraguay and remained dangerous in every other appearance. In addition to being a consistent threat offensively, he was second on the team in forced turnovers (29) behind Adams. Can you imagine how devastating the England attack would be had he opted to represent them over the USA? Grade: AFolarin Balogun player guide embedSergiño Dest, right wing/midfield (PSV Eindhoven)Four starts, one sub, 298 minutesGuardian ratings: 6-6-6-7-4The fiery player listed as a defender but mostly freed of defensive duties in Mauricio Pochettino’s lineup ran hot and cold. Few left-backs in the world will see him across the field and think they’re in for an easy night. But his decision-making isn’t always the best. Grade: BChristian Pulisic, left wing/midfield/forward (Milan) Three starts, one sub, 224 minutes, one assistGuardian ratings: 8-x-6-6-4This World Cup was a microcosm of Pulisic’s career. One stretch of world-class play (first half v Paraguay). A nagging injury (rest of the group stage). A return with more flashes of brilliance (last 32). Then an unexplained slump (last 16) and a new injury. He completed 87.3% of his passes, pretty good for someone who does most of his passing under heavy pressure, but created only three chances. Grade: BRicardo Pepi, forward (PSV Eindhoven)Two starts, three subs, 202 minutesGuardian ratings: 6-6-5-6-6Not really a factor in his two starts, but he showed enough attacking intent in his substitute appearances to make teams wary of a counterattacking threat. Brought on at half-time against Belgium but was starved of service. Grade: B-Sebastian Berhalter, center midfield (Vancouver Whitecaps)One start, four subs, 185 minutes, one goal, one assistGuardian ratings: 6-6-8-6-6Few US players enhanced their reputation as much as the son of former US manager Gregg Berhalter, especially when given a chance to start. He was third in completed passes per 90 minutes (56.4) and led the team in chances created per 90 minutes (3.4). One of few MLS players to get significant time at this tournament, he should have some suitors lined up after showing poise, creativity and grit. Grade: B+Gio Reyna, center/attacking midfield (Borussia Mönchengladbach)One start, four subs, 131 minutes, one goal