Pochettino's Last Experiment Fails as USMNT Falls 2-0 to Portugal
ATLANTA – Mauricio Pochettino's tenure as head coach of the U.S. men's national team has been marked by experimentation, but as the final whistle confirmed a 2-0 loss to Portugal on Tuesday, it became evident that old problems persist. In his 24th and final game before naming the World Cup roster, Pochettino attempted a new formation, opting for a four in the back strategy. Christian Pulisic played as a No. 9, aiming for his first goal since November 2024, while Weston McKennie emerged as a central attacking figure. Despite showing promise, including McKennie's active involvement, the team struggled to find consistency. Key highlights from the match include: Francisco Trincao scored the first goal in the 37th minute, exploiting the U.S.'s attacking shape. Joao Felix added the second in the 59th minute, a result of defensive lapses during a corner kick. Post-match, McKennie praised Pochettino's approach, highlighting the freedom players have to interchange roles. However, defensive issues continued to plague the team, with Pochettino acknowledging the need for improvement in their defensive organization. Despite the setbacks, players like Sebastian Berhalter viewed the match as a learning experience against high-caliber opponents. The U.S. now faces an eight-match losing streak against European teams, raising concerns about their readiness for the upcoming World Cup on home soil. Their final pre-World Cup friendly against Germany looms large as a crucial opportunity to turn their fortunes around. Pochettino remains hopeful, stating, "there's hope the first time is going to be in the World Cup." However, time is running short for the USMNT to address their shortcomings.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-01