Portugal Breaks the USA’s World Cup Hopes in Atlanta—A Friendly Reality Check

Match recap

USA suffers second straight defeat before World Cup

The United States team suffered its second straight loss, falling 2-0 to Portugal in a friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to close the March international window.

The American team’s anxiety ahead of the World Cup grows, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, especially since this defeat comes days after another defeat by Belgium 2-5.

The United States will play two more friendly matches before the World Cup, against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6.

The American team begins its World Cup group stage on June 12 against Paraguay in Englewood, California, before facing Australia and Turkey, aiming to reach the knockout stages.

What’s next

Portugal sealed the European curse on its American counterpart, as the U.S. boys suffered their eighth straight loss to a European side.

Francisco Trincao opened the scoring in the first half, before Joao Felix added the second in the second half with a superb lob from the edge of the box after a set piece.

Christian Pulisic failed to end his scoring drought, being subbed at halftime in his eighth straight scoreless appearance for the national team, and he hasn’t scored for Milan since December 28.

Portugal played without two of its top stars, Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out injured, and Bernardo Silva who did not join this camp.

Punchline: The US defense is so porous that even a friendly could score a mortgage.

Punchline: If goals were emojis, Portugal just sent the USA a full keyboard.