After a nightmare friendly against Belgium on Saturday, the U.S. men’s national team is back in action Tuesday against a Portugal side ranked No. 6 in the world. With the 5-2 drubbing still fresh on their minds, the Americans enter the match in a very different place than they were just a few days ago.
How the USMNT responds to the smackdown will be a key test for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad as he looks to finalize the 26-man roster he’ll call up for this summer’s World Cup. During his Monday press conference, the Argentine coach called for much more aggression and intensity with a World Cup mindset.
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Portugal presents a much more serious test than Belgium. Even without Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese remain one of the most technical and possession-driven teams in the world, with Bruno Fernandes orchestrating the midfield and a deep attacking group capable of punishing defensive lapses. For the U.S., the focus is simple: stay organized, limit chances and show progress after the rough outing last time out.
Strong performances Tuesday will go a long way to securing a World Cup roster spot for guys like Gio Reyna and several others still on Pochettino’s bubble.
Follow Yahoo Sports’ coverage of the friendly, including live updates, highlights and analysis, with our tracker below:
Live18 updates
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 5:51 PM PDT
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 5:50 PM PDT
Agyemang looks good with a great run inside before delivering the ball to a chasing Balogun, who sends it wide left.
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 5:43 PM PDT
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 5:42 PM PDT
Josph Scally replaces Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun comes in for Tim Weah
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 5:32 PM PDT
Joao Félix collects the ball off a Fernandes corner and sends a half-volley past Freese for Portugal’s second of the match.
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 5:29 PM PDT
Second half subs for USMNT: Patrick Agyemang for Christian Pulisic, Max Afsten for Antonee Robinson, Tanner Tessmann for Weston McKennie. Portugal makes seven subs including Nuno Mendes for Joāo Cancelo.
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 5:17 PM PDT
Can the Americans keep it close against one of the best teams in the world or will we see another dreadful second-half like the Belgium smackdown?
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 5:01 PM PDT
The U.S. men’s team did well to prevent more Portuguese chances and created several opportunities, but couldn’t capitalize. Christian Pulisic showed some frustration after getting picked late in the first half with a careless tripping foul, which earned him a yellow card. The Americans will have to keep their cool if they want to stay in the match.
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 4:56 PM PDT
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 4:48 PM PDT
Bruno Fernandes’ perfectly placed back heel beautifully sets up Trincão for the opener as the USMNT’s defense collapses under Portuguese pressure.
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 4:32 PM PDT
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 4:09 PM PDT
The match is underway in Atlanta. Can the USMNT rebound after the ugly loss to Belgium?
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 4:05 PM PDT
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 3:55 PM PDT
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 3:43 PM PDT
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 3:28 PM PDTSteven Goff
MARIETTA, Ga. — If there was any festering anguish over the U.S.’s weekend performance against Belgium or overwhelming dread about Tuesday’s tall task against Portugal, Mauricio Pochettino was not showing it Monday.
The Argentine-born coach’s news conference was a tour de force — charming, entertaining, passionate and insightful, ricocheting from injuries and glaring deficiencies, to philosophical thoughts on leadership and intensity, to his U.S. future after this summer’s World Cup.
That last topic perhaps stood out the most, because, since accepting the U.S. job 18 months ago, Pochettino has been regularly linked to openings at famous European clubs. He also left open the possibility of remaining with the U.S. after his program-record $6 million a year contract expires after the World Cup.
“I think everyone knows I am committed [to] the national team here” for the World Cup, the Argentine said. There is “no point to talk about the future at the moment, but no one approached. Who knows what is going to happen? We are open. We don’t have a [U.S.] contract for the future. But why not, if we are happy and the [U.S. Soccer] Federation is happy? It’s about [finding out]. Most important now is to be focusing on tomorrow and on the World Cup, and focusing to improve the team.”
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 3:11 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
USA : Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, Antonee Robinson, Auston Trusty, Chris Richards, Aidan Morris, Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter, Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic.
Portugal : José Sá, Gonçalo Inácio, João Cancelo, Tomás Araújo, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Samú, Trincão, Vitinha, Gonçalo Ramos and Pedro Neto
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Tue, March 31, 2026 at 3:05 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
With its win 1-0 win over Kosovo earlier on Tuesday, Türkiye will join the United States in Group D along with Paraguay and Australia.
How to watch USMNT vs. Portugal
Kickoff time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta
TV Channel: TNT, Telemundo (Spanish)
Streaming: HBO Max, Peacock (Spanish)