A confident start gives way to a disappointing finish as the USMNT falls 2-0 to Portugal
It’s hard to judge a team in March but easy to say this wasn’t great
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 31: United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts during the second half against Portugal during an International Friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) | Getty Images With just 71 days until the World Cup begins, the USA faced Portugal for its final friendly until June.
Coming off of a poor second half against Belgium, the Americans once again looked to earn a win against a top European team. In the end, it was yet another promising start for the USA just to end in a disappointing result as goals from Trincão and João Félix sealed a 2-0 defeat for the Stars and Stripes. The USA lined up in a formation set up nominally as a 4-3-3 with Christian Pulisic playing false 9 with Tim Weah attacking from the right, Malik Tillman coming in at the left and Wes McKennie having free reign to come in from midfield and do whatever he wanted.
If there were questions about a hangover from the second half of the Belgium game, the team answered quickly that there weren’t and started the match on the front foot. Until the 23rd minute hydration break, the USA had the better of the chances with Portugal dominating possession but without much to show for it. The water break couldn’t have come soon enough for the visitors who were not making the most of their time on the ball and looked to be on track to repeat their solid but ultimately fruitless showing against Mexico.
That wouldn’t be the case though as the USA put together a promising attacking move capped off by a shot that went just wide of the net from Pulisic. On the ensuing goal kick, Bruno Fernandes ran onto a ball sent into the box and laid it off with a backheeled pass for Trincão. The attacker sent his shot past Matt Freese to make it 1-0 in the 36th minute.