USA Suffers Second Straight Loss in Pre-World Cup Friendlies

Two games against top-tier international competition have resulted in two defeats for the United States Men’s National Team. On Tuesday, the Americans lost 2-0 to sixth-ranked Portugal in front of 72,297 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Pochettino Addresses Team's Performance

The loss followed a 5-2 drubbing by Belgium just three days prior. Manager Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged the quality of the opposition, stating, “Belgium and Portugal both have top-100 players, some players playing that are in the top 100 in the world. I think we don’t have.”

Lineup Changes and Pulisic's Role

Pochettino made six changes to the starting lineup from the Belgium match, reinstating Matt Freese, Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, and Alex Freeman. A notable decision was deploying Christian Pulisic as a lone striker, aiming to break his seven-match scoreless streak for the national team.

Despite creating chances, Pulisic was unable to find the back of the net and was substituted in the second half. Pochettino defended his star player, saying, “I think he was very active… Frustration is good to have. He’s going to score, because he has the quality.”

Defensive Errors Prove Costly

The US team competed well in the first half, out-shooting Portugal 9-3. However, defensive lapses led to both Portuguese goals. The first goal came after a breakdown in defensive positioning during a transition led by Bruno Fernandes, allowing Francisco Trincão to score.

The second goal originated from a corner kick, with the US leaving a significant gap in the middle of the field, enabling João Félix to score unchallenged. Defender Auston Trusty noted the difficulty for goalkeeper Freese to react with so many players in the box.

Concerns Remain Ahead of World Cup

Pochettino expressed disappointment with the results but highlighted areas for improvement. “We competed really well,” he said. “I think we lost the game on the first goal we conceded.”

The team’s tendency to repeat mistakes is a major concern as the World Cup approaches. Goalkeeper Matt Freese acknowledged the need for rapid improvement, stating, “There are pockets of positives and little details that can take us to the next level. It’s important that we continue to work on them, and work on them quickly.”

Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, downplayed the significance of March friendlies, noting that national teams are not yet fully formed at this time of year. US supporters will hope his assessment proves accurate.